Obituary: Dwain "Dick" Helleckson - Class of 1942

MADISON - Dwain "Dick" Helleckson, age 81, died on Thursday, March 30, 2006, at St. Marys Hospital. He was born on April 16, 1924, in Madison, to Theodore and Lillie (Bilse) Helleckson. Dick attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 until 1945 as a C.M.M.M. on the U.S.S. Coffman during World War II. Dick married Ruth Rasmussen on June 25, 1944. He owned Helleckson's Service Station and Helleckson's Liquor. Dick later became a supervisor of the Dane County Parking Ramp, from which he retired. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and an usher for more than 50 years, and a life member of VFW Post No. 1318. Dick is survived by his wife, Ruth; three children, Linda (Thomas) Junck, Cindy (Robert) Schumacher and Rick (Deborah) Helleckson; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Laurene Meyer and Ruby Hubbard; sisters-in-law, Angie Helleckson, Katie Helleckson and Eileen (Phil) Falkenborg; and a brother-in-law, Gordon (Audrey) Rasmussen. He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Cami Lynn Junck; and three brothers, Palmer, Carmen (Clara) and Burnette. Funeral services will be held at the GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, with the Rev. Mary Pharmer presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church Building Fund, 605 Spruce St., Madison, WI 53715. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 2, 2006