Marita Helleckson

Helleckson, Marita Rose MIDDLETON-Marita Rose Helleckson, age 60, passed away unexpectedly at her home as a result of a heart attack on Wednesday, April 8, 2009. She was born on February 7, 1949, in Madison, the daughter of Leon and Jessamine (Whelan) Olson. Marita was united in marriage to Theodore Helleckson on July 26, 1969 at St. Bernards Catholic Church of Middleton. Family was the focus of Maritas life. She was the center of her family and kept everyone on track. A day did not go by when she didnt speak to at least one of her children. She was a dedicated at home mom for many years making sure her kids had the opportunity to participate in every sport, club and activity they wanted to and coached her daughters summer softball teams with the Middleton Youth Softball league all through their school careers. She was to receive an award for her years of service at their annual banquet to be held April 17. She was also their number one fan attending every game and cheering them on. Marita loved spending time with her grandchildren and was always available to babysit and attend their sporting and school events. Marita worked for the Middleton-Cross Plains School District for over 20 years as a bus driver. She carefully delivered children to West Middleton Elementary School every day and was the team driver for girls volleyball, basketball and softball. The players really enjoyed all of the support Marita provided them in addition to getting them to and from their games no matter how bad the weather was during basketball season. All three sports considered her their "good luck charm!" and were disappointed if she was unable to drive. Marita spent a number of years working a second job at the Grandpas Frozen Custard, the Middleton Cenex Store and the Mobil Station in Ashton. Her favorite part of those jobs was interacting with the Middleton Community. The one thing you could count on with Marita was she would tell you like it was whether you wanted to hear it or not. She was a great listener, most often rooting for the underdog. In her spare time she enjoyed watching sports including the Badgers and Packers, watching old black and white westerns, traveling with her beloved husband through the US and Mexico and listening to her iPod. Her guilty pleasures included chocolate, potato chips and she never went anywhere without a Pepsi in hand. Marita had an incredible sense of humor and could always make people laugh. She had a variety of interests including flower gardening, feeding outdoor wildlife, wolves and traveling to Ho-Chunk where luck was usually on her side. She was a strong supporter of the St. Josephs Indian School in Chamberlain, SD and St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. Marita is survived by her husband of 39 years, Ted Helleckson; three children, Joleen (Marty) Breunig, Marcia (Dave) Rosecky and Ted Jr. (Laura) Helleckson; two grandchildren, Kayla Rose and Kyle James; her mother, Jessamine Olson; a sister, Kateri (John) Nelson; a brother, Shaun (Jackie) Olson; two brothers-in-law, John (Mary) Helleckson and Tom (Vicki) Helleckson and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, an infant sister and an uncle, Tom Whelan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 13, 2009, with Monsignor Douglas Dushack presiding. Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2009 at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton and also on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Josephs Indian School, P.O. Box 200, Chamberlain, SD 57325-3517 or to St. Bernards Catholic Church. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com