Vilas Willard Helwig

Vilas W. “Nook” Helwig, age 70, of Waumandee, passed away peacefully, with his loving family at his side on July 11 at Mayo Health Systems, Arcadia Campus. He was born on July 7, 1942 on the Helwig Homestead Farm a son of the late Charles and Clara (Sluga) Helwig. Vilas attended Cochrane-Fountain City School. Since he was a child, Vilas worked on the Helwig family farm until 1976, when he accepted a position with the Town of Montana as a maintenance and road patrolman. Even after he started working for the Town of Montana he worked here for 26 years, retiring in 2002. Vilas still assisted his family on the farm in any capacity needed. On September 7, 1968 Vilas was united in marriage to Rita Therring at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Alma. To this union four children were born. In Vilas’ younger days he enjoyed snowmobiling with his wife and friends. Vilas was an International Tractor Guy and enjoyed his Cub Cadet lawn mower and was known for his finely and meticulously trimmed lawn. Vilas enjoyed trap shooting at Alma and Arcadia. For ten years, Vilas enjoyed playing softball for the Waumandee/Montana old timer’s league. He loved the times being with his four children in the woods hunting or in Waumandee Creek trout fishing. Vilas’ family remembers him planning “spur of the moment” events. But mostly he will be remembered for his patience and being a great teacher for his children. And Rita, His loving wife, said it perfectly, “he was an all-around good guy and I have nothing bad to say about him. Vilas is survived by his wife Rita, of 43 years; children, Rick (Bonnie) Helwig, Charles Helwig, Jo (Missy) Helwig, and Becky (Jo) Holzer; and also his loving grandchildren, Jaiden Helwig, an Isbella, and Ethan Holzer. He will also be much missed by his Pomerainainen, Ginger. Vilas is also survived by his brother Orville (Goldene) Helwig, and his half-siblings; Shirley, Margorie, Robert, Ronnie, Kenny, and sister-in-law, Delores Helwig. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Loren Helwig, and his mother and father-in-law, Dominic and Helen Therring. A Visitation will be at Talbot Family Funeral Home in Alma on Friday July 13 at 4:00 pm to 8:00 PM and again one hour prior to the funeral service also at the funeral home on Saturday July 14 at 1:00 PM. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.