Katherine Helleckson

Katherine Mae Helleckson (Katie) was born to Floyd and Ila (Waite) Foat on May 23,1923 in Milwaukee and went to her Heavenly home on January 22, 2013. She graduated in 1941 from Central High School in Madison and married Allyn L. Vitense and then was employed by Ray-O-Vac in Madison. She married Burnette T. Helleckson on August 27, 1949. In 1964 they purchased Helleckson's Resort, on Lake Wisconsin, which they operated until 1991. She was a Board Member and Secretary of the Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce 1971-1989. She was a member St. John's Lutheran and Dekorra Lutheran Churches. She enjoyed playing cards, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandson. Her many friends at Oakwood Village became a very important and cherished part of her life for her last 9 1/2 years.
She is survived by daughters: Bonnie Whiting of Bella Vista, AR, Judy (Jerry) Mayfield of Lodi, WI, Diane (Tom) Zopfi of Dane, WI; sons: Robert (Connie) Vitense of Deforest, WI, Dwain Helleckson, Randy (Debra) Helleckson Wisconsin Dells, WI; 11 grandchildren , 16 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson; step-sisters: Ruby Ann Schmidt and Vonnie Linde; a step-brother Reuben (Cheryl) Reddeman and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Burnette, daughter Katherine Rae Vitense, father and mother, step-father Reuben Reddeman and son-in-law Robert Whiting.
Friends may call from 10 - 11 am Saturday, January 26 at OAKWOOD VILLAGE PRAIRIE RIDGE 5556 Tancho Drive Madison, WI in the TREE OF LIFE CHAPEL. Services will begin at 11 am followed by lunch in the Oakwood Village dining room.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Oakwood Village Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Rd Madison WI 53705.