Phillip Helgesen
October 14, 1926 - January 03, 2013
Obituary
OREGON-Phillip Helgesen, age 86, of Oregon, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Oregon Manor. He was born on Oct. 14, 1926, in East Blue Mounds Township, the son of Paul and Helga (Kittleson) Helgesen. Phil graduated from UW-Platteville and received his masters degree from UW-Madison. He married JoAnn M. Johnson on Feb. 14, 1945, in Blue Mounds. Phil was a history teacher, guidance counselor, and principal at various schools and was Superintendent for 20 years in the Iowa-Grant School District. In 1968, he and his family moved to Oregon to take the position of Superintendent of Schools. After retiring in 1988, Phil kept busy traveling, landscaping, and doing yard work. Most of all, Phil enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. Phillip is survived by his wife of 67 years, JoAnn of Oregon; children, LuAnn (Richard) Anderson of Fond du Lac, Cindy (Dr. Greg) Judd of Long Beach, Calif., and Pastor Steve (Vicki) Helgesen of Franklin, Tenn.; 13 grandchildren; 27-1/3 great-grandchildren; brother, Rev. Russell (Lorraine) Helgesen of Minneapolis, Minn.; sister, Delores (Donald) Paulson of Ripon; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David; great-grandson, Joshua; brothers, Rev. Kenneth (Ester) Helgesen and Rev. Gilford (Virginia) Helgesen; sister, Ila (Phil) Weigand. Funeral services for Phil will be held at ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 East Netherwood, Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, with Rev. Paul Markquart presiding. Burial will be at Prairie Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Fitchburg, 53711.
Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Fitchburg, 53711.
Visitation will be held at the church from 4 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday.
Funeral services for Phil will be held at ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 East Netherwood, Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, with Rev. Paul Markquart presiding.
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Memories
DW
Dave & Ingrid Waggoner
Other •
Dear Aunt JoAnn, LuAnn, Steve, Cindy and families. We are so saddened to learn of Uncle Phil's death & wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts & prayers. He was my baptismal sponsor & so special to all of us throughout the years. We have many fond memories of our times together as we were growing up & during the times we've been able to share in recent years. We had such a nice visit with him last spring & will always remember his great smile & the special memories we created. We will miss him greatly! Our love and sympathy to you all. Love, Dave & Ingrid
PC
Phil, Dee, Amanda, Chrissy
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Phil was a wonderful neighbor and we thought alot about him! My favorite memory is Phil coming over to our fire pit in our backyard with some homemade wine. We had many good time with Phil and will remember them all forever! He will be missed.
ML
Mark Lindsey
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I am so very sorry to learn of Phil's passing. Please accept my most sincere sympathy to you JoAnn and all of your family. I first met Phil when I came to Oregon to teach the marching band. Then, I was fortunate to buy Phil and JoAnn's wonderful house on Woodvale Drive. You both meticulously cared for that home and it was a joy to live in it. When we bought the home, Phil and JoAnn had to rent it back from us for a couple months until their new home was ready. I had some wonderful encounters with Phil during that time as he stored his tractor in OUR shed (ha!). Phil was a good man and an outstanding educator/superintendent of schools. He made the Oregon Schools great. He will be missed.
NE
Norma Melby Erickson
Other •
To Mr. Helgesen's family,
I was a teacher at Oregon Middle School 1969-1974. I once needed 2 days off to be with my single brother who was having surgery. I went to Mr.Helgesen to ask permission and although "brother" wasn't on the excuse list Mr. Helgesen said, "I think we could allow that." I so appreciated that and endeavored to be worthy of his trust. I saw Mr. Helgesen as a man of integrity who lead the Oregon Schools in a very humble and trustworthy manner. My experiences at Oregon were very positive in part because of strong leadership. My sympathies to your family.
MH
Marc & Masumi Helgesen
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Aunt Joanne and your whole family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Knowing Uncle Phil spent is life in education -- helping others -- in an inspiration to all.
JS
Judith Sigler
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To the Helgesen Family---I was saddened by the news of Mr. Helgesen's passing. He was my hiring Superintendent at Oregon Schools in 1973. I was engaged when applying for a position and he himself called to tell me I had the job!! He also said "Don't worry about the job now; just ENJOY your wedding!" He devoted his life to his family and to education....how fortunate for the Oregon community. There were always challenges in education but he faced even more in these more recent years. We know that his faith was strong and that God has welcomed him. Prayers and blessings to you all and memories that remain in your hearts always!