Eugene Heldt

Madison - Eugene Wayne Heldt, age 83, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at St. Mary's Hospital. Eugene was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Born on April 3, 1930 in Grant Park, IL, to Herman and Alice (Bohl) Heldt, Eugene loved farming in Beecher, IL, until he fell in love with a city girl, Myra Louise Zander, of Oak Lawn, IL, whom he met on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. The two married on January 6, 1951, and soon moved to Madison, WI, where Eugene worked as a shipping manager for Holtzman Co. until his retirement in 1992. Together they lovingly raised their four surviving daughters: Gail McCaffer of Madison, Marla (Allen) Siedschlag of Oregon, Lori (Donald) Jensen of Madison and Beth (Randy) Brining of DeForest. Inspired by the beauty of God's creations, Eugene enjoyed traveling with his family every summer to see as much of the United States as possible. He was an avid gardener and gifted wood crafter. Eugene rarely missed a Sunday service at St. John's Lutheran Church where he and Myra volunteered regularly and made many life long friends. He dearly loved and took great pride in his seven surviving grandchildren: Jason Jensen, Nicole (Jody) Nelson, Robyn (Aaron) Wangberg, Stephanie McCaffer, Sara (Steve) Gramann, Michael (Cassie) Siedschlag, and Janae (Derrick) Myers. He considered himself blessed to be able to welcome five great-grandchildren to the family: Quinn and Cora Wangberg, Riley Nelson, Theoren Myers and Emma Gramann. He is also survived by a niece and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Myra, who died in September of 1997, and his sister, Iris (Harold) Schwab, of Waukesha.
Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI, 53703, on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 11:00 am, with Pastor Ken Smith officiating. A visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 am until the time of services. A graveside service will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Eugene to St. John's Lutheran Church.

We will miss you, Dad, but know that you are reunited with Mom and "finally home."
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
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