Orvus Charles Helgerson Jr.

BARABOO WISCONSIN-Orvus Charles “Ole” Helgerson Jr., age 86, of Trego, Wisconsin, formerly of Rockford, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Orvus was born on December 18, 1931 in Westby, Wisconsin to Orvus Sr. and Alice Myrtle Hollie Helgerson. Orvus attended schools in both Westby and Viroqua area. He worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the Army in 1952. Orvus was shipped to Germany where he worked in bomb disposal. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1954. He moved to Rockford, Illinois and began to work for Sundstrand Aviation. While there, he met Domenica “Mamie” Salamone and they married on March 2, 1957. Orvus belonged to the Democratic Focus Club and the American Legion. After long careers at Sundstrand, they retired and moved to their home on Silver Lake in Trego, Wisconsin. Orvus and Mamie became winter snowbirds in Lake Havasu City, AZ for many years and enjoyed the company of many friends. While in Trego, WI, Orvus was on the Recycling Board of Washburn County and was the Fire Warden of Brooklyn Township. He was an active member at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Spooner and of the Knights of Columbus. Orvus enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, organic gardening, recycling, exercise walking and playing pool. He was predeceased by his wife, Mamie, on December 24, 2014. Survivors include daughters, Jacqueline (Jim) Petty and Denise (Neil) Patterson; son, Gregory (Mary) Helgerson; Sisters, Janet Ackerson, Gloria (Richard) Glick, and brother, Ordell Helgerson in WI; brother, Richard Helgerson in Tennessee and special family friend, Betty Stewart. He also leaves many grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A private memorial service was held by the immediate family. As per their wishes, Orvus and Mamie’s companion urn, will be placed into a vault in the wall of the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Lodi Funeral & Cremation Care 157 S. Main Street (608)592-3201