Philip Steen Morton Helland, 83, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Avera Prince of Peace, surrounded by his family. The family will be present for visitation on Thursday, March 20, from 5:00-7:00pm at Miller Funeral Home-Southside, 7400 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 21, 10:30am at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 909 W 33rd St, Sioux Falls, SD, followed by interment at Mount Hope Cemetery in Watertown, SD.

Phil was born August 8, 1941 in Sioux Falls, SD to Paul Helland and Viola Steen Helland, was the youngest of three children. Phil attended high school at Washington High School and graduated from Bethany Lutheran High School. He attended Bethany Lutheran Junior College, University of Minnesota, and South Dakota State University, and received his bachelor's degree in biology. He attended graduate school at University of Rhode Island and received his Master's Degree from University of Oregon.

Phil married Mary Eppenbaugh in 1965. The couple made their home in Watertown, SD, where Phil taught high school biology and coached tennis. Phil later became a partner at Lakeland Nurseries. They were blessed with two children, daughter Maren and son Erik. Mary passed away in 1973.

Phil married Valoy Borns in 1974 and the couple was blessed with son Nathaniel. In 1977 the family moved to Sioux Falls. Phil then opened a third Lakeland Nurseries location, which later became Landscape Garden Centers. He sold the business to son Erik and longtime employee Paul DeJong in 2002, but continued to work in the business for many years.

One of Phil's greatest professional achievements was being a partner in the development of Prairie Green Golf Course, Prairie Tree, Prairie Green, and Garden Village neighborhoods in Sioux Falls. He had great admiration for his business partners in these endeavors.

Phil was a honorary member of the South Dakota Nursery & Landscape Association.  He received several landscape design awards for his many years of work in the landscaping industry. Phil assisted in developing Arbor Plaza for the Sioux Falls bike trails, landscaping around the Stallions Memorial Statue in Pierre, SD, and Strawbale House at McCrory Gardens in Brookings, SD. He also had a long-running, call-in radio program on KSOO.

Phil enjoyed his time playing golf and tennis, dancing, collecting art, traveling, and serving on various boards, including the Children's Home Society & Children's Home Foundation, Washington Pavilion Board of Trustees, South Dakota Symphony, YMCA Camp Lief Erickson, Community Playhouse, and the Advisory Board for Good Samaritan Society (Luther Manor). He also served as a business consultant for Junior Achievement and was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. He deeply loved classical music and was a longtime patron of the South Dakota Symphony.

Phil's warm smile, quick wit, and generous spirit touched everyone he met. He had a dynamic personality that could light up any room. He was known for his sharp sense of humor and ability to make others laugh, often turning ordinary moments into fond memories. His stories, jokes, and laughter will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Phil was greeted in heaven by his parents, sister Elizabeth, brother Paul, and first wife Mary.

Grateful for having shared his life are Phil's loving children, Maren (Carey) Donovan of Richmond, VA; Erik (Lori) Helland of Sioux Falls, SD; Nathaniel (Colleen) Helland of Sioux Falls, SD; his seven grandchildren, William, Jessica, Chase, Marcus, Tessa, Ben, and Brooke; two great-grandsons Donovan and Sutton; sister-in-law Judy Helland; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Good Samaritan Society-Prairie Creek, Avera Prince of Peace, and Avera Hospice Care for their wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial gifts to Children's Home Society Foundation or the Helland Family Scholarship at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN.