Robert Hellenbrand

CROSS PLAINS-Robert "Bob" Hellenbrand, age 79, died on Monday, June 22, 2009 at home after a brave battle with cancer. He was born on September 1, 1929, in Cross Plains, the son of John B. and Catherine (Buechner) Hellenbrand. Bob married the former Rita Pertzborn on November 29, 1958, in Roxbury, after service in the U. S. Army from 1954-1956. He worked as a carpenter all his life, in business with his brothers for a number of years and then with the Middleton-Cross Plains School District, where he retired in 1991 after 17 years. Bob was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and the Cross Plains American Legion Post 245. He held a lifelong love of gardening from his years growing up on the farm and of baseball, both as a player and fan. In addition to Rita, his wife of 50 years, he is survived by three children, John B. (fiancee, Donna Tollefson) of Mount Horeb, Kay (Bill) Rutledge and Sandy (Rick) Keller of Cross Plains; six grandchildren who loved their Grandpa dearly, Catie, Jackson, Matthew, Alex, Brianna and Krystal; one brother, Norbert (Florence); his sisters-in-law Agnes Hellenbrand and Shirley Hellenbrand; his sister and brothers-in-law Adeline Berlin, Bernard Pertzborn (Audrey Neu), and Edward (Pat) Pertzborn; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Louis, Herbert, Victor, Bernard and Carl; and two sisters, Rosetta Blankenheim and Sylvia Hellenbrand. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes Street, Cross Plains, at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, with Father Thomas Kelley presiding. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at the church. The family would like to extend a special thank you to HospiceCare, Inc., Father Thomas Kelley and Sister John Rose Acker for their loving care and support. Visitation: Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at the church. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes Street, Cross Plains, at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, with Father Thomas Kelley presiding.