Dorothy “Tootie” Mary Hellenbrand

Waunakee – Dorothy “Tootie” Mary (Brockman) Hellenbrand, age ­­­­­­90, passed away on Friday, July 7, 2023, from the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s Disease at Waunakee Valley Senior Living (formerly Waunakee Manor Healthcare).  She was born on February 3, 1933, in Madison WI to Ewald and Mary (Schumacher) Brockman.  She attended St. Bernard’s Catholic Church elementary school and Edgewood High School.  Tootie met Jerome Hellenbrand at Turner Dance Hall in Madison, WI.  They were married on May 30, 1952, and together raised six children in Waunakee.

When the couple farmed, Tootie could be seen driving the tractor in the fields, unloading hay bales, washing milkers, along with gardening foods for canning and freezing, and keeping up with meals, housework, and children. In the late 1960’s, they sold the farm and moved into town.

Tootie was mostly a stay-at-home mom but occasionally worked several part-time jobs.  She enjoyed cooking and baking, sewing, reading, playing cards, and watching sports.  Her favorite sports teams were the Badgers and Packers football and the Brewers baseball. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom have fond memories of her love and humor.

Tootie is survived by her daughters Carin Wallin of Waunakee and Jane (Tony) Schwartz of Pardeeville, sons Rich (Cindy) and Mike (Ruth) both of Waunakee, Dan (Kimberly Weaver) of Parker, Colorado, and Rod (Bonnie) of Pardeeville; 14 grandchildren: Mike (Michelle) Nehls, Ben (Alicia) Wallin, Jessica (Jess) Feucht, Angela (Adan Peralta) Hellenbrand, Jacob (Bobbie) Hellenbrand, Alisha (Jeff) VanSistine Boss, Kathy Davis, Charlie (Roberta) Schwartz, Vicky (Jeremy) Dolfin, Chris (Natalie) Schwartz, Chad (Lisa) Hellenbrand, Celsey (Chris) Roth, Chase Hellenbrand, and Tyler Wold; 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.  She is further survived by her brother Eugene (Gloria) Brockman, brothers-in-law Dick Martinelli, Ray Hellenbrand, Jack (Colleen) Hellenbrand, sisters-in-law Diane Brockman, Florence Hellenbrand, Doris (Don) Schneider, and Darlene (Dick) Miller.  There are many nieces, nephews and cousins surviving as well.

Tootie was preceded in death by her husband Jerome, parents Ewald and Mary Brockman, parents-in-law John and Gertrude Hellenbrand, brother, Don Brockman, sister, Joan Martinelli, brothers-in-law Don and Jim Hellenbrand, sisters-in-law Beverly, Evelyn, and MaryAnn Hellenbrand, and great-granddaughter Kailee Ann  Mendosa.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at Waunakee Valley for their compassion and excellent care of Tootie during her extended stay at their facility.  Special thanks to Dr. Trent Thompson, Dr. Lucas Kuehn, and Patty Laufenberg, NP, for their expertise and care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South Street, Waunakee, at 11:00 a.m. on Thurs. July 20,2023. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.  Following the burial, a meal will be served at Rex’s Innkeeper, 301 N. Century Avenue, Waunakee.

Winn Cress Funeral Home, 5785 County Highway Q, Waunakee is assisting the family with arrangements.  Condolences may be made online at https://www.cressfuneralservice.com

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be determined by the family at a later date.

Winn-Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee

(608) 849-4513