Donald Helmke

90 years of life, 66 years of marriage, 3 children, 2 grandchildren

Don died at home about 3 a.m. on a Saturday morning after battling lung cancer and pneumonia. His family was with him. It was appropriately the first day of deer hunting season as he rarely missed one and we're sure his spirit was happy to roam the woods again.

memorial service

Celebration of Life followed by church luncheon

December 2, 2019

First Lutheran Church 310 E Washington St, Stoughton, WI 53589, USA

Visitation: Sunday, Dec. 1, 3-5 p.m. at Gunderson Funeral Home, 1358 Hwy 51 N, Stoughton and Monday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 310 E. Washington, St., Stoughton. Burial at Lutheran South Cemetery.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care

About Don

Donald (Don) Helmke, born March 4, 1929, died Saturday, November 23, 2019 at home surrounded by family. Don was born in Milwaukee, Wisc. to Mabel (Olsen) Helmke and Herbert Helmke. He was a 1947 graduate of Stoughton (Wisc.) High School, earned accounting and business administration degrees at the Madison Business College and studied at the UW-Graduate School of Banking. Don was a proud veteran, serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. He was a life member of VFW Post 328, as well as a member of the American Legion Otis Sampson Post 59 and its Honor Guard. Committed to his community throughout his life, Don brought values of helping others, fairness and integrity to everything he did. He had a successful, 35-year career in banking while also serving on the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce, Fair Board, Hospital Board, and Skaalen Board. He was a member of the Elks for more than three decades, Jesters and Lions Club for nearly 50 years, and was a Mason and Shriner for nearly 60 years.

In 1984, he was chosen royalty of Syttende Mai with his wife, Doris. Don and Doris married in Stoughton in 1953, celebrating 66 wonderful years together with their three children and two grandchildren. Don was a quiet, unassuming leader with a mischievous grin, a big heart and strong faith, devoting many volunteer hours to his church. He could fix almost anything and once helped build a sailboat from scratch. He loved playing a good card game with family and friends and spending time outdoors, whether it was a walk in the woods, playing 18 holes of golf or skiing down a mountain.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Merlin “Bud” (Gertrude), Eileen (Henry) Godleski, and Grace Staffrude. He is survived by his wife and children Susan, Jane (Teresa Sterns), Karl, grandchildren Keegan and Grace Helmke, brother-in-law Ruffin Staffrude, many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.