Obituary for Marie A. Helgerson

Marie was born on June 3, 1928 to Alva and Maranda (Johnson) Wetterlin in Victory, WI, where she lived until she graduated from high school. Marie married Orville Helgerson on June 6, 1958 in La Crosse. They were a devoted couple who loved serving others and working on projects together. They were a good team, because their strengths complemented one another. Marie worked as cashier at the Bodega Cafeteria, and later as a bookkeeper for the Trane Company, but the work she loved most was being a wife, mother, home-maker, and grandmother. She was organized and particular, and worked hard to manage the details of life. In addition to raising her own children, Marie cared for many other children over the years. There was a steady stream of young lives being nurtured and loved by Marie and Orv. This earned her the title of “Honorary Grandma” to many. Her house was full of teaching, encouragement, love, and food.

Marie was a member of First Church of Christ in La Crosse until its closing in 2023, and then joined Onalaska Church of Christ.

As a Christian, Marie was full of hospitality and love for people. She blessed everyone who gathered around her table, whether it was coffee and caramel rolls in the morning, or a roast beef dinner later in the day. Her pecan caramel rolls were legendary. She was known for her charming personality and quick wit, and those faculties did not diminish until the very end.

Marie is survived by her children, Leslie “Sam” (Kellie) Helgerson and Lana (Will) Lang, as well as granddaughters Jenifer Helgerson, Miranda Peterson, and Makayla Peterson; and grandson, Robert Lang. She is also survived by her brother Donald Wetterlin Sr., sister Jeanette Grant, sister-in-law Dorothy Wetterlin, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville; her parents; her brother, Raymond; her brother, Robert and his wife Ona; sister-in-law, Louise Wetterlin; brother-in-law Ossie Helgerson and his wife Bonnie; sister-in-law Ruth and her husband, Miles Neumann; and sister-in-law Ruby and her husband, Paavo Seppo. She said that living into her 90s was lonesome work.

Morning coffee and pastries will be served during visitation on Monday, November 3 from 9:30-11am at Fredrickson Funeral Home, 4239 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI. The funeral service will follow at 11am, after which we will accompany Marie’s body to Mormon Coulee Memorial Park where she will be buried next to her beloved “Orvie.” Pastor Craig Chappell of Onalaska Church of Christ will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Gundersen Medical Foundation—Hospice Fund or Breast Cancer Fund; or to Onalaska Church of Christ.

Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, La Crosse, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at this site.