Ronald Hellenbrand

Hellenbrand, Ronald H. MIDDLETON - Ronald H. Hellenbrand passed away on Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, at home surrounded by his loving family after a long thirteen year battle with cancer. Ron was 60 years old and always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face during his courageous battle with this disease. Ron was born on Aug. 11, 1947, to Leander and Verena Hellenbrand and attended school in the Middleton area graduating in 1966, from Middleton High School. After graduating from high school Ron worked at the Middleton Farmers Co-op for a few years before starting a long 35 year career with Madison Gas and Electric. During the last couple of years of employment MG and E treated him very well as his cancer got worse and affected his work. Ron mentioned numerous times how grateful he was for how he was treated by MG and E and his fellow co-workers during his employment there. Ron retired from MG and E in February of 2007. On June 22, 1968, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Judith Herrling after they met in school at the age of 16. Together Ron and Judy had two wonderful boys, Ron Jr. and Troy, who were the love of his life. Ron enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his boys, whether it was playing catch with them, ice fishing or more recently going for motorcycle rides. Ron was very proud of both of his sons and their accomplishments. Ron didnt say it much, but he believed in following his dreams, and did so, with the support of his wife, when he bought the home farm in 1984. Ron farmed full time after purchasing it. He continued to work at MG and E and farming until he realized the cancer had returned and the battle was not going to be won this time. Nothing made Ron happier then when he could get on one of his Allis-Chalmers tractors and start some farm work. In addition to riding his tractors, he enjoyed cleaning and working on his farm machinery and cleaning up his two Harley Davidson motorcycles and riding them. In addition to his wife and his two boys, Rons other love was for his six grandchildren who adored "papa" as much as he adored them. Rons grandchildren always bought a smile to his face, he loved to hold them when they were babies and play with them when they got older. Ron loved all of them very much. Ron is survived by his wife of 39 years Judy Hellenbrand, his two sons Ron Jr. (Vicki) Hellenbrand of Waunakee and Troy (Lori) Hellenbrand of Cross Plains; his six grandchildren, Haley, Alec, Connor, Ava, Jordan and Hayden. Ron is also survived by five siblings, Margie (Clarence) Maier, Richard (JoAnn) Hellenbrand, Gerald Hellenbrand, Edward (Donna) Hellenbrand and Marilyn (Dave) Barbian; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Leander and Verena (Greiber) Hellenbrand. Ron will be missed by all who knew him. He showed us his great strength, love and determination as he battled this tough disease and worked through all of his surgeries and trying times. A Memorial Mass will be held at ST. BERNARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 am. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. Visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and also on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Ron wanted to give special thanks to Dr. Glenn Liu and his study nurse Jane, of the UW Hospital, who became special friends over the last couple of years. Ron appreciated Dr. Lius hard work, encouragement, and opinions while he fought this battle. Also a special thanks to Hospice Care and specifically Andrea for all of their assistance. Donations can be made to Hospice Care or to the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center. Papa - We love you and will miss you very much! We appreciate all of your hard work and fighting over the last couple of years and will carry on as you would want us to. We will miss you and you will be in our hearts forever! Love Judy, Ron Jr., Vicki, Troy, Lori, Haley, Alec, Connor, Ava, Jordan and Hayden.