Helen M. Gust

MADISON - Helen Mae (Michel) Gust, age 96, of Sun Prairie, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at SSM/St. Mary's Hospital, surrounded by family. She was born on May 27, 1929, in Atwood, Colo., the daughter of Fredrick and Anna (Wells) Michel.

Helen graduated from Atwood High School in 1947. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles. While volunteering at the USO, she met and fell in love with a Marine, Kenneth “Skip” Gust. On October 4, 1952, she and Skip were married in Las Vegas. After Skip’s military assignment in Hawaii, they moved to Wisconsin to put down roots.  Helen worked for the State of Wisconsin DOR, DOA, and eventually retired from DILHR/DWD. When her children were young, Helen was a Brownie/Girl Scout Leader. She was a Lifetime American Legion Auxiliary member of Post 501, volunteering many years at Legion events. Helen also volunteered many hours at the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.  

Helen lettered in softball in High School. She was on many bowling teams throughout the years, and received a few 200 pins.  In what little spare time she had, she enjoyed crafting, and taking care of her plants and flowers. In earlier years after retirement, she liked traveling with her family - road trips, cruises, and visits to see her Colorado family.  She tried not to miss a Brewer baseball or a Badger or Packer football game on TV.  Later in life, she also enjoyed watching the Game Show Network. Helen also spent many hours updating and sharing family tree information with other “genealogists” in the family. Most important to her, though, was time spent with her family. She always looked forward to family get-togethers, of which there were many. Although she was quiet, her smile lit up rooms and she enjoyed surprising us with her sense of humor.  She was a strong, proud woman, who lived alone in her own home until a year ago, and we’ll miss her every day.

Helen is survived by her children, Kathy (Bob) Whitaker, Herb (Leanne) Gust, Sandy (Dan) Duren, Teri (Jeff) Robinson, Shelly (Mike Persack) Billings, and June Potter; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters, Janice Grauberger, and Irene (Jerry) Wardrip; brother-in-law, Billie (Barb) Gust; sister-in-law Charlene Michel; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth “Skip” Gust; grandson, Dillon Duren; son-in-law, Jeff Potter; sisters, Rosemary Michel and Esther (and Roy) Heyne; brothers, Larry Michel and Leo Michel; sisters-in-law, Rachel (and Harold) Eichelkraut, June (and Bill) Riedner and Phyllis (and Kenny) Nelson; brother-in-law Harley Grauberger; and parents-in-law, Herb and Lu Ella Gust.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.  Following the service, ice cream and cookies (one of Helen’s favorite snacks) will be served. Private family burial will take place at the Verona Cemetery at a later date.

Thank you to the SSM/St. Mary's Hospice Unit for all of their wonderful care given to Helen. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420