April 27, 1938 – April 26, 2026
Sten was born on April 27, 1938, in Gothenburg, Sweden. He passed away at home on April 26, 2026 after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Sten had quite a presence and that unmistakable Swedish strength. He was practical, understated, and deeply loyal. Those who knew him will remember his kindness, his intelligence, his dry humor, and his calm dignity. Sten loved life and lived his life to the fullest!
Sten married Ewa in 1965 and together they moved to the USA, where he later became a citizen, a country he loved deeply, though he carried his Swedish heritage with quiet pride throughout his life. Sten and Ewa had two children, Johan and Christine, and were married for 33 years until her death in 1998.
Sten had a very sharp mind and a distinguished career as a high-level executive with Volvo, Saab, and Mercedes-Benz. During his career, he made 158 trips from Europe to the USA and was even fortunate enough to fly on the Concorde several times while it was still in service.
Sten loved skiing and golf. Skiing is what first brought him to Colorado. When his children were young, the family would often ski at Aspen and Vail. While working for Saab, Sten had a hand in having the Aspen and Vail police departments drive Saabs. He was also invited to play golf at Augusta National several times and passed his love of the game on to his son Johan, who went on to become a professional golfer.
Later in life, Sten would often visit his daughter in Carbondale where he met his current wife Pat Helling (Bolin) of Glenwood Springs. Pat and Sten married in 2005 and made their home in Glenwood Springs, his favorite place of all the many places he had lived. Sten loved Sunlight Mountain Resort, the Hot Springs Pool, and was a member of the Glenwood Springs Golf Club. He skied and golfed avidly until the age of 85.
Sten is survived by his wife, Pat Helling of Glenwood Springs, CO; his son, Johan Helling of Granville, OH; his daughter, Christine Helling of Carbondale, CO; his sister, Margaretha Helling-Borda of Gothenburg, Sweden; his grandchildren Julia, Olivia, and twins Anders and Maia Helling, all of Ohio; and his stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Danielle (Smedra) and Brian Hernandez of Lakewood, CO.
Sten was truly a wonderful person and a bright light in this world. He will be missed tremendously.
Sten did not want a funeral and his family want to honor his wishes.
