Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 25, 2026

Helge Pukema

Helge Emil Pukema was an American football player. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and was selected by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) as a first-team guard on the 1940 College Football All-America Team. He died in Billings Park, Wisconsin, in 2004 at age 87.

Last revised
Jul 25, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
155 w
Citations
3
Source
Helge Pukema
Profile
PositionGuard
Personal information
Born(1917-04-08)April 8, 1917
Bessemer, Michigan, U.S.
DiedDecember 20, 2004(2004-12-20) (aged 87)
Billings Park, Wisconsin, U.S.
Career information
CollegeMinnesota
Awards and highlights

Helge Emil Pukema (April 8, 1917 – December 20, 2004) was an American football player. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and was selected by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) as a first-team guard on the 1940 College Football All-America Team.12 He died in Billings Park, Wisconsin, in 2004 at age 87.3

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
St. Olaf Oles (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1949–1950)
1949 St. Olaf 5–4 2–4 7th
1950 St. Olaf 2–6 2–4 T–7th
St. Olaf: 7–10 4–8
Total: 7–10
References

References

  1. ESPN College Football Encyclopedia. ESPN Books. 2005. p. 1181. ISBN 1401337031.
  2. Harry Grayson (November 26, 1940). "NEA Has Harmon and Kimbrough On All-American". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  3. "Helge Emil Pukema". Duluth News Tribune. December 2004.