Maxine J. (Strain) HELGESEN

STRAIN, HELGESEN, MIDDLETON, COLELLO, BANTA, BRYAN, SCHOENINGER, EMERSON, MCGOWAN, WHEELER, SMITH, ERRINGTON, LEAF, MALSCH, THOMAS, ZIEGLER, MCGOWAN, CLABAUGH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/11/2011 at 11:42:39

December 13, 1916 --- October 6, 2011

Mount Vernon, WI --- Maxine J. Helgesen, age 94, died peacefully on Friday, October 6, 2011, in Beth and Dean Colello's home near Mount Vernon.

Maxine was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa on Dec. 13, 1916, to Jesse and Nellie (Middleton) Strain. She was united in marriage to Milton E. Helgesen on March 9, 1935, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Together, they raised their family of six children in the Mount Vernon area. She was employed at Oscar Meyer, McPherson school (cooked lunch), Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Department, and Wisconsin Education Association. She and Milton enjoyed many retirement years between their Mount Vernon home and a community in Fort Meyers, Fla.

She is survived by her sons, Marvin (Sally Banta) and David (Melissa); daughters, Sherri Bryan (Tom Jakel), Lynn (Kenneth) Schoeninger and Beth (Dean) Colello; her grandchildren, David (Darci) Bryan, Tari (Kurt) Emerson, Randy Helgesen, Darren Helgesen, Heather (Duane) McGowan, Erik Helgesen, Lars (Adele) Helgesen, Bethany Wheeler (Daniel Smith), Debra (Craig) Errington, Nathan (Meghan) Leaf and Jentri Colello; her great-grandchildren, Daniel Malsch, Jenna McGowan, Amber, Joshua and Chelci Bryan, Avery and Breanna Emerson, and Tyler, Mathew, Mellanie and Adam Helgesen. She is also survived by her sister, Jean Thomas of Bothell, Wash., and Karen Ziegler, along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Milton; sisters, Phyllis McGowan, Janet Clabaugh; brothers, John, Allen, Milton, George and Jack; son, Melvin and son-in-law, Walter Bryan.

She and Milton Helgesen raised their family in Madison and later near Mount Vernon. They had 60 happy years of marriage with a house full of family. They loved rural Wisconsin, where they gardened and canned together. Maxine enjoyed reading, listening to WHA, PBS, gardening and Jazz at 5. After she retired, they traveled throughout the United States and Europe and spent winters in Florida. With daily care for many years from her daughter, Beth and family, she visited many family reunions, favorite places, and friends. A long-time member of Zwingli UCC Church, she loved her church, taught Sunday school, and sang in the choir.

A memorial service will be on Friday Oct. 14, 2011, at 1 p.m. at ZWINGLI UCC CHURCH in Mount Vernon. The Rev. Brad Brookins will officiate. Private burial will be in the Mount Vernon Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zwingli United Church of Christ, 1693 Washington St., Mount Vernon or a charity of one's choice.

http://madison.com/obit/213191