Russ Hellenbrand

WAUNAKEE – Russ Hellenbrand, age 64, left this earth on Saturday, April 6, 2024 due to heart complications at UW Hospital.

Russ was well known for his quick wit and storytelling ability.   He was the only-a-stranger-once, shirt-off-his-back kind of guy with a laugh you won’t forget. He was passionate about sports – bowling (of course!), softball, football, and loved a high stakes game of cards. He was known as “Coach Russ” from his years spent as a volunteer coach for his nephews’ youth sports teams.  He loved “molding minds” by stressing the importance of sportsmanship and the mental aspects of the game. He spent many years organizing the annual WaunaFest softball tournament and was the Beer Guy at the end of the WaunaFest Run for the last decade.  He loved hosting family and friends at his Lake Wisconsin home, making memories we will all cherish.

He had a successful career as a business owner and real estate professional for Restaino & Associates.  Russ thoroughly enjoyed being in the people business.  Making connections, talking business and sharing life’s lessons along the way brought him great joy. 

Russ will be deeply missed by his mother, Charlene Hellenbrand, special friend Janet Holmes, siblings; Lynn (Scott) Rohde, Gina (Stan) Johnson, Sandy (Mike) Frankland, Judy (Scott) Adler, Patrick Hellenbrand, Jenny (Jon) Smithback, Kari (Dan) Kruchten and 18 nieces & nephews,  numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and his extensive network of business associates, fantasy footballers, poker and softball buddies and close friends.  Russ was preceded in death by his father, Edward Hellenbrand, maternal & paternal grandparents, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Thank you to the Waunakee EMS and the Cardiac unit at UW Hospital for their excellent care and compassion in Russ’s final weeks.  Thank you to Janet Holmes for loving Russ and taking extraordinary care of him during this difficult time.

A Celebration of  Life will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 1 – 4 PM at the Springfield Inn 6136 County Rd P Dane,WI.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Russ’s memory at a later date.

In honor of Russ, reach out and connect with someone you’ve been meaning to but haven’t.  Time is precious and life gets in the way. 

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

                                                                Winn-Cress Funeral Home

                                                                            5785 Hwy Q

                                                                          Waunakee, WI