Virginia Ilene Helgeson, age 95, of Woodville, Wisconsin, died Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Park View Home, Woodville. Family was with her in a gentle goodbye.
Virginia was born into this world, November 17, 1928, to Lillian Haugeland in Baldwin Township, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Baptized at home, Virginia grew in faith, and was a lifelong active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville. Threads of deep love of family, church, her life-long friends, deep roots in Woodville community, and pride of Norwegian heritage interwoven made Virginia’s life beautiful.
Virginia attended school in Woodville and graduated with the Woodville High School Class of 1946; she was the last in her high school class to leave us for Heaven. Working first at the Woodville Post Office, and Weyerhaeuser Lumber, Virginia spread her wings outside of Woodville for one year moving to St. Paul to work at 1st National Bank. She returned home to marry her sweetheart, Howard Helgeson, after his fulfillment of military service to our country. The two were married June 17, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church, settled on an 80-acre farm north of town where they raised their children, Cheryl, Brian, and Bradley.
Musical gifts were woven into the fabric of her being, childhood training in piano and voice developed God-given gifts Virginia generously gave throughout her life. It was Virginia’s way to play piano and sing every day, and it was often old beloved hymns that filled her house as she sang them from her heart. From teen years well into older adulthood, Virginia’s voice sang God’s comfort in many, many funeral services; she blessed countless marriage unions with glad song; Virginia played accompaniment for Zion adult and children’s choirs for 30 years.
Days and years of mothering and homemaking also included providing daycare for several children over the years, as well as 25 years serving her church family teaching Sunday school. After their children were raised, Virginia enjoyed her secretarial work for 18 years at Best Press. Virginia’s work in this gathering place of community news was braided together with her love of her community and lasting friendships. Membership of the Woodville Legion Auxiliary was another important way Virginia honored deep connections with patriotic service to community and country. Virginia leaves a rich legacy of giving generously the gifts God has given you into the lives of those He has given you to love; her life interlaced with each of ours creates colorful tapestry, and our lives are more beautiful because of Virginia’s beautiful life.
Virginia will always be held close in heart by her children: Cheryl (Chuck) Hovde; Brian (Kathy) Helgeson; and Bradley (Linda) Helgeson; siblings: Mike (Betty) Skelton; Diane (Robert) Thatcher; and Kathleen (Tom) Vandeberg; grandchildren: Amber (Marcus) Quilling; Tana (Jamie) Cain; Brianna Herder; Nathan (Yuka) Helgeson; Chad (Laura) Helgeson; Joe Helgeson; Heather (Tim) Schrieber, Kyle (Nicci) Helgeson, Trevor (Lindsey) Helgeson; great-grandchildren: Allison (Stephen) Tirrel; Jayden Cain; Claire and Colton Herder; Malen Helgeson; Isabelle and Grace Helgeson; Wyatt, Will and Weston Schreiber; Adalyn Helgeson; Bennett and Kensley Helgeson; Emmy and Cade Quilling; great-great granddaughter, Stella Ruth; many dear nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Howard, her beloved mother and her grandparents, Hellick and Inger Haugeland. So close to each of these family members, Virginia’s childhood was spent with her mother in her grandparents’ home.
Visitation was on Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville.
A Celebration of life followed visitation on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Zion.
Burial will be in Lone Pine Cemetery, Woodville.
Virginia’s family is very grateful to the caring staff of Park View Nursing Home for their tender, loving excellence of care for her in Virginia’s final years of life. She loved her routines and would not be rushed; they honored Virginia’s preferences with kindness and respect.
Keehr Funeral Home, (keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.
