Leroy E Helgeson

LeRoy E. Red Helgeson, 86, of Onalaska, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2014, at the Onalaska Care Center.

He was born on the family farm near Blair, WI., on September 13, 1927, to Selmer and Minnie (Severson) Helgeson. He was a 1945 graduate of Blair High School, and, soon after, enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in World War II. On December 8, 1951, LeRoy married Elveda Lien in Blair. Elveda preceded him in death in 1993.

LeRoy served as a Trooper with the Wisconsin State Patrol for 25 years before retiring in 1983. He then took the position of Undersheriff with the La Crosse County Sheriffs Department, a position he held for two years. In his free time, LeRoy loved spending time with family and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by two sons and their families, Steve and his wife, Barbara, of Onalaska and their children, Sara and Connor, and Kurt and his wife, Rhonda, of Coon Valley and their sons, Jacob and Justin; one sister, Eunice Gunderson, living in Oregon; many nieces and nephews; and his special companion, Levon Maybee. In addition to his wife, Elveda, LeRoy was also preceded in death by three brothers, Kenneth, Myron and Earl.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 18th, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 1931 Loomis St., La Crosse. Rev. Lisa Shank will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will take place in Rest Haven Cemetery in Blair at 2:30 p.m. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, any memorials given will be donated in LeRoys memory.