Shirley Mae Thornton Plante Helle

Shirley Mae Thornton Plante Helle, 90, of Bemidji, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Havenwood Care Center.

Born on April 27, 1935, in Plummer, Minnesota, to Alvin and Pauline (Starman) Thornton, Shirley was raised and educated in her hometown. She married Ray Plante in 1950, and together they made their homes in Fisher, Grand Forks, Oklee, north of McIntosh, and finally Bagley. Shirley devoted herself to raising her large family and later assisted Ray with bookkeeping for his painting business. After Ray’s death in 1977, she married Howard Helle in 1978 in Bagley. The couple spent many happy years traveling across the United States. Howard passed away in 1988. Shirley lived in Las Vegas for two years before returning to Bemidji in 1997, where she resided for the remainder of her life.

She had a deep love for travel and took great joy in the horse show circuit, caring for farm animals, and looking after her beloved dogs. Shirley’s warm and nurturing spirit remained a steady presence in the lives of her family.

She is survived by her children Judy (Don) Vasend of McIntosh, Dan Plante of Bemidji, Glen Plante of Saint Paul, Mark Plante of Trail, and Linda Plante of Bemidji; her brother Alvin “Junior” Thornton of Grand Forks; many nieces and nephews; 12 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Ray and Howard, four children—Richard, Steve, Diane, and Keith—daughters-in-law Cheryl and Diane, son-in-law Leonard, and several brothers and sisters.