Elaine Helgestad

STOUGHTON-Elaine Grace Helgestad was born to parents Otto and Marie (Bordson) in 1937 and lived in the Waunakee and Lodi areas as a child.  She attended both Ella Wheeler Wilcox and Crossing School.  Elaine passed away at home on December 1st after dealing with multiple health issues.

In May of 1960, Elaine married Robert Helgestad and honeymooned in Manitowish Waters before moving to Stoughton, where she would live her whole life.  Elaine proudly worked as a welder for Research Products before leaving to take care of her babies, Christy and Roger.  Later, she worked as a housekeeper for Skaalen Home, before retiring to care for Bob and her granddaughters, Rachel and Sara.

Happiest in her garden, Elaine loved her flowers and visiting with her neighbors.  She also enjoyed baking and made the best lefse and Norwegian cookies, always having Krumkake in the tin for everyone.  She loved nothing more than finding a good deal at St. Vinny’s.  Her granddaughters were the light of her life and she always remained active in their lives. When she received an iPad as a gift it opened up a whole new world for her. She was able to check on those she loved, even when she couldn't get out as much.  Recently, she enjoyed trips to Door County with her family.

Elaine is survived by her daughter Christy (Todd) Tupper; granddaughters Rachel and Sara Tupper (Ross DeWitt); and brothers and sisters Jerry (Terry Lynn) Koltes, Dave Koltes, Shirley (Harold) Keller, and Judy (Mark) Meloy; as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2016; son Roger; brothers Ronald, Jim, and Terry; and sister Delores Treadwell.

Per her request, private services for Elaine will be held at Lutheran South Cemetery.

Those we love don’t go away,

They walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard but always near.

Still missed and very dear.

Love you ‘til the end.