DENNIS HELLING

Dennis L. Helling, age 73 of Neenah, WI, passed away on February 2, 2019 at Valley VNA due to natural causes after an extended illness.

Dennis was born June 9, 1945 in Worthington, Minnesota to Leonard and Carol (Hess) Helling.

He graduated from Albert Lea, MN High School, attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa, and graduated from Minnesota State Junior College in Austin, MN in 1969.

Dennis married Erliss L. Berg on June 10, 1966 at Oakland Lutheran Church, Oakland, MN and were together for 52 years. They were blessed with three children: Greg (Tina) Helling, Jason Helling; and Julie (Dr. Jake) Beaulieu.

Dennis started his retail career with JCPenny in Rochester, Minnesota in 1969. He transferred to Winona, MN, La Crosse, WI, and Appleton, WI during his 13 years with JCPennys, then became the store manager at Kohl's Department Store at Northland Mall in Appleton, WI from 1982 to 2000 and completed his 36-year retail career in Fond du Lac in 2005. Dennis always had funny stories to tell about his 36-year retail career and enjoyed the many great people he worked with.

After retiring in 2005, Dennis bought a motor home and enjoyed the next 12 years traveling to most of the states, Canada, and Alaska with his trusty dog, “Abby” and with his children, and on occasion, with his grandchildren. Dennis became interested in the Civil War and visited many of the major battle fields from the first major battle outside of Washington D.C. at Manassas, Gettysburg, and Richmond, and ending at Appomattox, seeing where Lee surrendered.

Another “hobby” was working on his 77 Corvette (lic # FUN 4 ME) and making annual trips to Bowling Green, KY to visit the national Corvette museum, and seeing the new improvements every year.

Dennis is survived by his wife Erliss of 52 years; son, Greg (Tina) Helling; son, Jason Helling; daughter, Julie (Dr. Jake) Beaulieu; granddaughter, Dr. Britney Helling; grandson Rhen (Crystal) Helling; grandson Cole Beaulieu; granddaughter, Lydia Beaulieu; great-grandson, Shane Helling; great-grandson, Lieym Helling; and great-granddaughter, Amelie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Carol Helling; his sisters: Jean (Arlo) Rippentrop; Patricia Helling; brother-in-law, Dennis Berg; father-in-law, Ralph Berg; and mother-in-law, Vivian Berg.

Per Dennis' wishes, a private service with family will be held overlooking the Mississippi River in La Crosse, WI.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the loving staff at Valley VNA, specifically the care staff on Emerald Court, for their excellent care over the last 7 months. Thank you also to ThedaCare at Home Hospice for their compassionate care during his last days.