Howard Helgeson, age 84 of Woodville, WI., died Wednesday, Feb 1, 2012 at his home in Woodville. Funeral service for Howard will be on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville. Visitation will be on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at Zion Lutheran and also on Saturday for one hour prior to the service at church.
Howard John Helgeson, age 84, of Woodville, Wisconsin, left this earth surrounded by his loving family, Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at his home in Woodville.
Howard was born at home in Brookville, Eau Galle Township, Wisconsin, on June 19, 1927, the fifth son of Christ and Inga (Lund) Helgeson. He was baptized, confirmed, and married at Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville. He attended Brookville Public School and graduated from Woodville High School with the Class of 1945.
Howard was a proud veteran of two branches of the United States Military. In early 1945, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines and served in the South Pacific delivering airplane engines and other war supplies. After his commitment to the Merchant Marines was completed, Howard enlisted in the U.S. Army/Air Force in August, 1946. For several months he was stationed in the state of Washington, and the remaining two years of his service were spent in Hawaii.
In 1950, Howard purchased an 80 acre farm north of Woodville, and on June 17 that year he married his sweetheart, Virginia Haugeland. Together they raised their family, worked hard, and built a good life on the farm. Howard's strong work ethic and commitment to family were admirable. While farming, he completed his degree at Agricultural School by attending classes one evening a week for four years. In 1960, Howard was employed by Doboy Packaging Machinery in New Richmond to work in sales, inventory control, and production scheduling. For several years after he retired from Doboy in 1985, Howard raised beef cattle on the farm.
Howard was a man gifted with common sense wisdom, quiet strength, and humility; he was a man of peace. He loved to laugh, and his wit and wry sense of humor brought much laughter into the lives of his family and friends. He enjoyed traveling very much. He and Virginia shared many memories of their adventures all over the U.S. as well as Norway and the British Isles. Howard loved to fish and especially enjoyed Canada fishing with family and friends. He enjoyed deer hunting and playing poker with his buddies. Howard was a member of the VFW, an active member of the American Legion, and was involved in many community activities over the years. Most of all, Howard loved his family. Howard's rock solid ways of being a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend are a legacy of stability and strength to those he leaves behind.
Preceding him in death were his parents and three of his brothers: Lloyd, Alton, and Clifford.
He is survived by his wife Virginia of Woodville; daughter Cheryl (Chuck) Hovde of Woodville; sons Brian (Kathy) Helgeson of Baldwin; and Bradley Helgeson (fiancé Linda,) of Baldwin; grandchildren: Amber Hovde; Tana (Jamie) Cain; Brianna (Craig) Herder; Nathan (Yuka) Helgeson; Chad (Jennifer) Helgeson; Joe (Dana) Helgeson; Heather (Tim) Schreiber, Kyle Helgeson, Trevor Helgeson and great-grandchildren: Allison VanRanst; Jayden Cain; Claire Herder; Colton Herder; Malen Helgeson; Isabelle Helgeson; Grace Helgeson, baby boy Schreiber expected in June; brother George Helgeson of Woodville; sister-in-law Betty Helgeson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Michael (Betty) Skelton; Diane (Robert) Thatcher; Kathleen (Thomas) Vandeberg; many other much loved relatives and friends.
Funeral service was Saturday, February 4, 2012, 11 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville, with Rev Keith Anderson officiating. Music was provided by organist Judy Veenendaal and guitarist Kristen Kolman. Vocalists were Elizabeth Leon and granddaughter Brianna Herder. Visitation was 4-8 p.m. Friday at Zion. Burial was in Lone Pine Cemetery, Woodville. Military Honors were by Woodville American Legion Post.
Pallbearers were grandsons Chad, Joe, Nathan, Kyle, and Trevor, and nephew Shawn Skelton. Honorary Pallbearers were granddaughters Tana, Brianna, Heather, and Amber.
