Orland Joel Gehrhardt Helgeson

Orland Joel Gehrhardt Helgeson passed away December 18, 2006 at Bethel Home and Services in Viroqua, WI where he had lived for the past two years. He was 98 years old. Orland was born February 15, 1908 to Theodore and Josephine Helgeson on a farm in Crawford County outside Soldiers Grove, WI. He graduated from high school in Soldiers Grove, and later from Vernon County Normal School in Viroqua. He taught in rural schools at Mason City and West Prairie. When he discovered musical talent in the students at Mason City he began teaching them harmony, guitar and ukulele. The students gave up their recess activities to play music and sing under Orland's direction. They formed a performing group, playing in churches and at civic events in the summer. They were a well known student choir / orchestra, respected for their musical performance and poise. On May 12, 1933, Orland married Marie Peterson of rural Viroqua and began a career in dairy farming at the Peterson family farm. He was an innovative farmer and a conservationist 'before his time.' Besides farming he continued his own study in music with violin and piano. Largely self-taught, his musical accomplishments reflected his God-given musical talent. When the choir director of the then Main Street Lutheran Church resigned, Orland was persuaded to 'fill in' until a permanent director could be found. That term of service extended 29 years, in which he lead an accomplished group of singers and furthered his own musical talents. His wife Marie passed away August 6, 1975. As his physical health declined, he began to farm less of the land, leasing acreage to willing neighboring farmers, and began working as a maintenance employee at the Bethel Home in Viroqua. He became known as the 'fix it' man, trouble-shooting and repairing large appliances as needed, and landscaping the retirement facility grounds. 'Orland can fix anything' was the 'word of the day.' On June 4, 1983, he married Elaine Hanson, a widow with two daughters, Lois and Carolyn. Orland sold the farm and then bought a house on South Washington Street in Viroqua. Elaine passed away August 30, 1995. Orland continued to live in the city until his move to Bethel Home two years before his death. He continued to practice piano and violin and particularly appreciated the pipe organ recitals of Sue Walby while she was the organist at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. He attended numerous performances in Wisconsin and Minnesota with Sue and her husband Peter Walby. Peter became Orlands counselor, care giver and general supervisor of all Orlands increasing needs in health, daily care and financial matters. Orlands final years at home included playing piano, violin and singing with friends Bob and Lola Bestul and Peter and Sue Walby. He is survived by his sister, Theodora Bach and her husband, Jacob of Carbondale, IL; two step daughters: Carolyn Watson and husband Gregg of Sheboygan; and Lois Labecki and husband Keith of Muskego. He is also survived by one niece and five nephews: Rachel (Rev. Dan) Tuhy of Morton, IL; David (Janet) Bach of Louisville, KT; Jacob Jr. (Ann) Bach of Upland, CA; Rev. Luther (Ruth) Peterson of Minneapolis, MN; Harland (Anna) Peterson of Readstown; and Rev. Hoover (Shirley) Grimsby of Minneapolis, MN. There are also many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. To many of these children, visiting Pine Knoll Farm outside Viroqua where they could have a ride on Orlands tractor, play the old Norwegian board game of 'Mill' or have a sing-along at his piano were vacation highlights. He was a 'born teacher and violinist' and above all a kind and gentle Christian man. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2006 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. Pastor Lindsay Jordan of Good Shepherd will officiate with burial in the Belgium Ridge cemetery outside Viroqua. Friends may call at the church on December 28, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials made to the Bethel Home or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Viroqua, or the Heifer Mission project in care of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Viroqua. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.