1919
Thomas
2004
Thomas Helgeson
June 10, 1919 — October 26, 2004
Thomas C. Helgeson, 85, of Bradenton, Florida, died peacefully on October 26, 2004, at Blake Medical Center surrounded by his loving family and his beloved Gert Swenson.
Born June 10, 1919, in Livingston, Montana, he is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Jane Helgeson. He is survived by his sister, Esther Huibregtse of Ripon; his son, Tom Helgeson and wife Debbie of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; his daughters, Bonnie Price and husband William (Bo) of Milton, Vermont and Heidi Donaubauer and husband Joseph of Round Lake Heights, Illinois; and one niece, Jane Cotter of Ripon. He is also survived by his two granddaughters, Jennifer Helgeson and Mackenzie Donaubauer, as well as his one grandson, Steven Donaubauer.
He attended Ripon High School and continued his education at the University of Wisconsin and Northwestern University in Illinois.
Tom was a World War II Veteran, where he enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in October of 1940 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in July 1942. He served with distinction in North Africa and Europe where he attained the rank of Captain and fought at the “Battle of the Bulge”. His campaigns included Sicily, Salerno, Rome-Arno, Anzio, Holland and Germany. For his gallantry in action he was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star, as well as the Presidential Unit Citation. He retired from the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel. Tom was the first commander of the Ripon VFW Schultz-Klemp-Wentland Post #5278.
Tom worked for the Perfex-McQuay Foundry in Berlin, where he retired several years later. During his years with the foundry, he was given the Foundryman of the Year Award by the National Foundrymens Association.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 1, 2004, at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon with Rev. Jack W. Kraaz officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Garden of the Cross Cemetery in Ripon. Memorials for Tom should be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 1131. Fairfax, VA 22038-1131.
Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com
Born June 10, 1919, in Livingston, Montana, he is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Jane Helgeson. He is survived by his sister, Esther Huibregtse of Ripon; his son, Tom Helgeson and wife Debbie of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; his daughters, Bonnie Price and husband William (Bo) of Milton, Vermont and Heidi Donaubauer and husband Joseph of Round Lake Heights, Illinois; and one niece, Jane Cotter of Ripon. He is also survived by his two granddaughters, Jennifer Helgeson and Mackenzie Donaubauer, as well as his one grandson, Steven Donaubauer.
He attended Ripon High School and continued his education at the University of Wisconsin and Northwestern University in Illinois.
Tom was a World War II Veteran, where he enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in October of 1940 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in July 1942. He served with distinction in North Africa and Europe where he attained the rank of Captain and fought at the “Battle of the Bulge”. His campaigns included Sicily, Salerno, Rome-Arno, Anzio, Holland and Germany. For his gallantry in action he was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star, as well as the Presidential Unit Citation. He retired from the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel. Tom was the first commander of the Ripon VFW Schultz-Klemp-Wentland Post #5278.
Tom worked for the Perfex-McQuay Foundry in Berlin, where he retired several years later. During his years with the foundry, he was given the Foundryman of the Year Award by the National Foundrymens Association.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 1, 2004, at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon with Rev. Jack W. Kraaz officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Garden of the Cross Cemetery in Ripon. Memorials for Tom should be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 1131. Fairfax, VA 22038-1131.
Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Helgeson, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 3
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors