Thomas Helt

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014 we said goodbye to our loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Tom was warmly greeted by his son Danny and infant son Travis. He fought so patiently and courageously the battle of pancreatitis. Tom was born on April 18, 1939 in Ashton to William and Rose (Ripp) Helt where he grew up on the family farm playing many games of cards and baseball. He found the love of his life at a Fish Lake dance and married Marlene Haas on July 12, 1960. Once a farmer, always a farmer. Tom worked as a young man for Joe Wagner, Fuzzy Fassbender, Fuchs Trucking and in 1963 rented the Raemisch farm and purchased it in 1976. This is where Tom and Marlene farmed and raised their children to be good stewards of the land, to return to the land what you receive and instilled in them the importance of treating everyone like you would want to be treated.

Although Tom loved his John Deere farm equipment and red pick- up, religion and family came first. He fought this battle especially for his grandchildren who loved him dearly. He had the ability to make any crying child end up laughing and playing with him. Tom was such an outgoing person with a big personality, quick wit and an art for conversation. It was fun just being around him; his neighbors and friends will miss him driving by in his pick up waving. He was affectionately known as "Uncle Tom" by many. Throughout the years, Tom took the time to attend every wedding he was invited to, watch school functions/sports and visit and play cards weekly with family residents at the Waunakee Manor.

Tom is survived by his wife, Marlene (Haas); children, Mary Jo (Todd) Mefford, Sandy Helt, Jeanne (Tom) Maas, Dennis (Danniann), Steve (Amy), Sharon (Steve) Straub, Janet (Russ) Chaby, Jackie (Danny) Spillman, Tommy (Heidi), Jason (Lisa); grandchildren, Tyler & Jacob Mefford, Randy, Shawn (Sky), Ashley & Shannon Lamb, Amber & Katelyn Maas, Dylan & Dawson Helt, Logan Helt, Carter Straub, Claire Chaby, Payton, Hailey, Adalynn Helt; and great granddaughter, Sofia Lamb; his brothers, Godfrey, Sylvester, Donald (Diane), Bill (Virginia), Tony (Joan); sister, Dorothy (Gene) Voegeli; and sisters-in-law, Viola and Doris. He was preceded in death by son, Danny; infant son, Travis; parents, William & Rose; brothers, Fred, John, Joe, Gilbert; sister, Rose; brothers-in-law, Claude Schuster, John Endres; sisters-in law, Rosella & Carol Helt.

Funeral services will be held on Mon. Dec. 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St Peter Catholic Church, 7121 County Trunk K Middleton. Rev Brian Dulli will officiate. Friends may call on Sunday Dec. 14, 2014 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home 5785 Hwy Q.Waunakee Friends may also call at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

A special thank you to the dedicated nurses at the Waunakee Manor and UW Hospital. A big thank you to Father Brian Dulli and Father Bud for their visits, prayers and calls. We appreciate everyone who kept Tom in their thoughts and prayers and who visited throughout this trying time. Your care, love and concern will sustain us. Dad, we were so lucky to have you as our Dad. You taught us so well to continue to cherish faith, family and farming. You leave us with such great memories and a legacy to carry with us-be it in the fields, in the tool shop, deer hunting or just gathering as a family. You are gone but will never be forgotten.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI