Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Elsie Helgoe
Elsie I. Helgoe, age 97, of Rock Falls, WI, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Grace Woodlands, Eau Claire, WI.
She was born October 11, 1915 in the township of Rock Creek in Dunn County to parents, Theodore and Rena Lund. She lived in the Rock Falls area her entire life until January 2006 when she moved to the Good Shepherd Apartments in Eau Claire, WI.
Elsie was a member of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church where she was confirmed in 1929. At that time she was asked to teach Sunday School. She continued teaching and later served as superintendent for a total of thirty years. Reading was an important part of Elsie’s life. She served as chairman of the Library Committee for many years. She was interested in collecting and preserving the history of the church and women’s organization. She served as secretary and later as president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Lutheran Church Library Association.
She graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School and the Rural Teacher’s Training Course at the Eau Claire State Teacher’s College. She taught for five years at the Meridean and Thomas Schools. Later she did substitute teaching in the Eau Claire School District for several years.
Elsie married Ellsworth (Ray) Helgoe in 1939. He was postmaster and rural mail carrier for the Rock Falls Post Office. Elsie was appointed substitute clerk in the office until 1973 when she became Officer in Charge. The office closed in 1975 after a period of 36 years.
Elsie had a special love for children. She learned early in her marriage that Lutheran Social Services of Eau Claire needed temporary boarding homes for babies. She was granted a license by the state and cared for several babies over a period of years. She was a loving mother to five children. She was a wonderful Grandmother to her many Grandchildren. In their minds, she was, “The World’s BEST Grandma!� In addition to her family, she was like a mother to the church’s many Sunday School children, who were also very fond of her.
A Senior Nutrition site opened in Rock Falls in 1985. Elsie enjoyed the fellowship and served as a volunteer. She also enjoyed the monthly meetings of the Senior Citizens group.
She spent many hours in her impressive gardens and flower beds. Many delights were enjoyed throughout the year, as she preserved much of her bounty. The aroma of freshly baked bread and cookies greeted us and filled her home. She was indeed a blessing to all she touched with her graciousness, humor, and love.
Favorite words she lived by: “To have a friend, one must be a friend.�
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings Marjorie Sneen (Lester), Roy Lund, and Irving Lund (Mary Louise) and sons: Roger and Richard.
She is survived by her children Eugene (Sonja) of Eau Claire, Bonnie (David) Stanton, and Gordon (Denise) of the Rock Falls area. Grandchildren: Kelli Helgoe (Will Adamczak), Kristin Zumwalt (Bryan), Grace Stanton (Erik Krautbauer), John Stanton, Stephanie, Katie, Jacob, and Riley Helgoe. Great grandchildren: Jocelyn and Charlie Zumwalt, Myla and Sydney Helgoe. Also several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by sister-in-law Winifred Fossum.
Elsie’s family would like to extend lasting gratitude to the excellent caregivers at Grace Woodlands.
A celebration of Elsie’s life will take place at 11:00 a. m. Monday, April 1, at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church in Rock Falls with the Rev. John Hosmann officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
