Marlene Helgerson, 77, of Prairie du Chien lost her courageous battle against cancer on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. Marlene was born to Oscar and Palma Grossell on Nov. 21, 1940. She graduated from Seneca High School and attended Northwest Institute of Medical Technology where she earned a Medical Technologist degree. In September of 1959 she married her best friend and soul mate Robert Helgerson. Marlene worked at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital and Farrell Clinic until 1972, and she later went on to work as a bookkeeper for Prairie Ready Mix/Prairie Sand and Gravel, retiring in 2003. Marlene enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many wonderful places. She worked many years with the Girl Scouts organization when her children were young. Marlene made lifelong friends through her love of bowling, and she always enjoyed time spent with the “originals”.   Badger basketball games became a passion for Marlene and Bob and they spent many nights driving back and forth to Madison to cheer for Bucky. Marlene’s hobbies included stamp collecting, sewing, crocheting, coloring, reading and gardening. She was a huge proponent of the Mississippi River Sculpture Park, most recently serving as the Vice President of the organization. Marlene had a great love for animals and rescued many kitties throughout her life.

Marlene is survived by Bob, her husband of 58 years, 4 daughters: Pamela (Greg) Dome of La Crosse, Julie (Todd) Stevens of Janesville, Karrin (Bret) Frost of Terre Haute, IN and Kristin (Kyle) Kriegl of Eau Claire. She had 4 grandchildren: Kyle (Kimberly) Stevens, Kali Stevens, Annika Dome and Meghan Frost, and 2 Great Grandchildren: Ethan and Aiden Stevens. She is also survived by one brother, James (Patricia) Grossell of Corinth MS. Marlene was lucky to have had many caring friends and loving sisters and brothers-in-law. 

There will be a celebration of life service for Marlene on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Garrity Funeral Home Chapel in Prairie du Chien with Pastor Joe Irvin officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of service.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Prairie du Chien Eagles Heart and Cancer Telethon.  www.garrityfuneralhome.com

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