Randy Allen Helgesen

Randy Allen Helgesen was born on July 12, 1962, to Marvin and Karen (Peterson) Helgesen, and passed away on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022.

As a young boy Randy had some special talents such as riding a tricycle with only two wheels and water skiing standing on a piece of plywood.  He always caught the most blue gills when fishing, and excelled at most of his other hobbies and interests.  They included snow skiing, water skiing, riding motorcycles, snowmobiling, deer hunting, and boating.  He also loved animals, and had two beloved cats named Juju and Mikey.  Juju would sit and ride on his shoulders to be close to him.   

Randy graduated from Madison East High School in 1981 where he was active in sports, esp. baseball, basketball, and football.  In ’81 he topped the WI State Journal’s all-city baseball team with a .406 batting average (!) and the University of Wisconsin sought him to play for them.  However, he had signed up with the U.S. Navy upon graduation, and traveled to the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Singapore and western Australia on the U.S.S. England.  On Friday nights he would call from a pier in San Diego to tell us about all his cool experiences.  Randy was so happy to have experienced the Navy with his best friend, Rob Brown, who he had known since kindergarten.  After his four years in the service, Randy worked with his dad doing masonry, and then worked as a mason until he was unable to due to cancer. He was also known for being helpful to many family, friends and neighbors with a myriad of tasks, too numerous to list.

He loved fishing with his son, Daniel, whom he enjoyed spending time with.  Randy loved teaching Daniel how to fish as it was a time that he could spend with him.  Square dancing with his long-time girlfriend, Susan Salisbury, was one of his less-known side-interests.  Susan has always been with Randy and helped him through some hard times and pain. We would like to say a big thank you to her for being there for Randy during his last moments and for always taking care of him.  Susan, Thank you.

Randy is survived by his father, Marvin Helgesen; son, Daniel Malsch; siblings, Heather (Duane) McGowan and Darren Helgesen; nieces, Jenna and Piper McGowan; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Karen; grandparents, Maxine and Milton Helgesen, and Violet and Clarence Peterson, among others.

Randy will be remembered as a great brother, son, father, uncle and friend.  He will be remembered, missed and loved by many.

A memorial service will be held at CITY CHURCH, 4909 Buckeye Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.