Helene Richardson

Richardson, Helene E. (McCormick Grimstad) MADISON Helene E. (McCormick Grimstad) Richardson, age 95, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008, surrounded by loved ones. Helene was born in Ellenboro, Wis., on Feb. 27, 1913, the daughter of William and Prudence McCormick. She moved to Madison in 1940 and worked for Farm Bureau Insurance for many years. Helene married John Grimstad in 1956. He preceded her in death in 1986. When she was 76, Helene married Delbert Richardson, a lifelong friend and expert fly-fisherman. Helene donned hip boots and went fly-fishing with Del until she was well into her 80s. At the age of 91, she bought her first computer, learned to email and surfed the internet daily. Independent and sharp as a tack, Helene lived at home until the time of her death. She remembered names and dates effortlessly, easily recalling the earliest details of her life. Helene once said that if her 90-plus year old body could keep up with her mind, she would be "dangerous." Helene was gifted at crocheting, quilting, sewing, needlepoint and other handcrafts. She made countless afghans for friends and family, and donated the extras to local nursing homes, where many of the recipients were a decade or two younger than she. She never missed a birthday and never sent a visitor home empty-handed. Helene will be remembered fondly and missed dearly by all those who knew her. Survivors include a daughter, Bonnie Bishell of Pewaukee; six grandchildren, Connie (Jim) Evenson, Cathy Bishell, Kelly Bishell, Anne (Andy) Maxfield, Ellen (Bryan) Loker, and Mary (Chris) John; nine great-grandchildren, Jason (Angel) Erickson, Holly (Keith) Henn, Kortney Bishell, Drew and Paige Maxfield, Sara Schneider, Ryan Loker, and Alex and Madelyn Prohaska; a great-great-grandchild, Zachary Erickson; and a sister-in-law, Marian McCormick. She is further survived by step-great-grandchildren, Kim Evenson, and Tyler and MacKayla John; step-great-great-grandchildren, Samantha and Joshua Rutherford; and many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives. In addition to her parents, Helene was preceded in death by her husbands, John Grimstad and Delbert Richardson; her son, Alden Bishell; three brothers, Donald, Lowell and Lloyd McCormick; and an infant daughter, Marilyn Bishell. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at noon on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, with the Rev. David Brandfass presiding. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Entombment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.