Evelyn Helgeson

Evelyn Helgeson, 87, of rural De Soto, died Monday, September 7, 2015. Evelyn M. (Henry) Helgeson, 87, of rural De Soto, WI left our presence peacefully to be with her Lord on September 7, 2015 in her daughters home where she lived since 2009 after a long battle with Alzheimers and Dementia. She was born on July 27, 1928 to Herbert and Hazel (Sawyer) Wallace in La Farge, WI. She married Eldon L. Henry on November 27, 1946 and they farmed together on their rural DeSoto farm for almost 40 years until Eldon could no longer farm because of health issues. It was then that she went to work for Northern Engraving in Lansing, IA, where she worked for approximately 15 years. After Eldon passed away in January 1986, she decided that she wanted to learn how to drive a car. But after a near fatal auto accident she had in 1987 while learning to drive, she met Elman Helgeson as he was visiting church members. After a few months of dating they were married in October 29, 1988 and they lived on his farm until his passing in July 2009. She was a member of the Bad Axe Lutheran Church in Purdy, rural Viroqua, WI. She loved to cook, sew, and garden, especially with her grandchildren. She liked to look for 4 leaf clovers and if she found one she would save it by pressing it in a book. She also loved her cats, so much that she treated them as if they were her children. She was a caring and loving person, slow to criticize, but if you asked she would give you her opinion. She loved to play with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family was very important to her, she dearly loved them all and opened her arms to any of her childrens friends that hung around her home and treated them as her own. She is survived by one daughter, Elaine (Daniel) Gray of rural DeSoto, WI; five sons: David (Barbara) Henry of Winona, MN, Dale (Chris) Henry of rural De Soto, WI, Eldred Henry and fianc Kris Perso of La Crosse, WI, Patrick Henry, and Harlan Henry both of rural De Soto, WI; seven granddaughters: Melissa Henry of Winona, MN, Kala Henry of Brooklyn Park, MN, Anna (Khalid) Ali of Savage, MN, Danielle (Curtis) Fetting of Minn. City, MN, Heather Stueve of Winona, MN, Ashley (William) Bushman of La Crosse, WI, and Amy Henry of Winona, MN; two great-granddaughters: Eowyn Bushman, and Veronica Fetting; two great-grandsons: Benjamin Gray and Mahdi Ali; four step grandchildren; three step grandsons; three sisters: Ruby Crews of Stoughton, WI, Hilda Nalley of Easley, SC, and Karen (Wayne) Timbush of Mesa, AZ; four brothers: Ivan Wallace of Rockford, IL, Junior (Elizabeth) Wallace of DeRiddler, LA, Robert (Evelyn) Wallace of Richland Center, WI, and Victor Wallace of Beloit, WI; four sisters-in-law: Thelma Wallace of Rockford, IL, Debra Wallace of Easley, SC, Marlene Helgeson of rural Genoa, WI, and Marlene Lothen of Viroqua, WI; brother-in-law, Phillip Hickok of rural Ferryville, WI; a close friend of the Henry family, Robert Johnson of Viroqua, WI; and many, many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Eldon Henry; her second husband, Elman Helgeson; one infant son, Daniel Henry; one infant grandson, Gabriel Marti; three sisters: Lena Fladhammer, Beuna Schlafer, and Inez Hickok; four brothers: Leslie Wallace, in infancy, Francis Wallace, Keith Wallace, and Kenneth Wallace; six sisters-in-law: Iva Wallace, Mini Wallace, Gloria Wallace, Linda Wallace, Nora Ekern, and Mildred Burkhardt; ten brothers-in law: DeVern Fladhammer, Neil Schlafer, Homer Woodhouse, John Crews, Vernon Walters, Grady Nalley, Russell Burkhardt, Chester Rude, Joe Ekern, and Earl Henry. She was a hard worker her whole life, she gave much and asked little in return. She was greatly loved and will be missed by all. Funeral Services will be held at 1 pm on Friday, September 11, 2015 at the Bad Axe Lutheran Church in Purdy WI. Pastor Don Greven will officiate with burial to follow in the Bad Axe Lutheran Church Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-7 pm on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W Decker (Hwy 56) in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church on Friday from Noon until the time of service at 1. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Homes are serving the family.