Selma A. Helgeson

Selma A. Helgeson October 12, 2005 Selma A. Helgeson was born March 2, 1908 to Lauritz and Mina (Syverson) Tomtengen. She was baptized by Rev. Halvorsen and confirmed by Rev. Holum at the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. On Jan. 24, 1931 she was united in marriage to Raymond Pederson at Winona, Minn. They resided in Viroqua for many years where she worked at the tobacco warehouse. To this union was born 2 sons, Richard and Darrel and 1 daughter, Shirley. Shirley died on June 21, 1935 at the age of three and a half months, Raymond died on March 23, 1952 and Richard died on June 23, 2004. After the death of her husband Raymond, she moved to Westby where she worked for a few years at the tobacco warehouse and then for 10 years at Sloane Butter Packing Plant. On April 25, 1959 she married Alf Helgeson. They lived on his home farm near Esofea until his death on June 20, 1989. She was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, WELCA and the Sarah Circle. After the death of her husband Alf, she moved to Westby and resided at Crestview Apartments. She joined Our Saviors Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the WELCA. She also was a member of the Westby Senior Citizens and Westby Area Historical Society. Selma is survived by 1 son, Darrel (Elaine) Pederson of Kewaunee, 1 daughter-in-law, Ellen Pederson of Westby, 7 grandchildren, Katherine Thrush, Michael Pederson, Mark (Sonja) Pederson, Kristi (Steve) Foster, Lynn (Steve) Pekel, Ross Pederson and Patrick (Laura) Pederson, 9 great grandchildren, Ryan Olson, Jason & Ami Thrush, Nick and David Wiegand, Kimberly and Rebecca Foster, Rachel and Mitchel Pekel, 2 great great grandchildren, Brayden Albert and Grace Wiegand, 5 nephews, Otis (Lillian) Leum, Lloyd Leum, Ralph (Esther) Leum, Gilbert (Anna) Leum, and John (Audrey) Anderson, 7 nieces, Margaret Colleron, Marion Thompson, Deloris (Daniel) Gautsch, Olga Gossett, Eunice Sorenson, Eleanore Ekern and Mary Ann (Norman) Oftedahl. In addition to her parents, 2 husbands, 1 daughter and 1 son, she was preceded in death by 6 sisters, Lenora (Elmer) Leum, Eva (David) Hoilien, Hilda (John) Anderson, Olga (Joel) Kinserdahl, Inga (William) Stigen and Cora Tomtengen, 3 brothers, Joseph (Elma) Tomtengen, Lindahl and Melvin Tomtengen, 5 nephews, Milton Leum, Martin Leum, Charles Anderson, LeRoy Stigen and Roger Stigen, 3 nieces, Elaine Melby, Marilyn Ehler and Rudella Jefson and 1 niece-in-law, Inez Leum