Thomas Helleseth's Obituary
Thomas LeeRoy Helleseth, son of Martin Norman and May Grace Leiss Helleseth, was born April 28, 1946, in West Bend, Iowa. He departed this life Monday, February 8, 2010, in Manor Care, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-three years, nine months, and ten days. On August 23, 1969, he was united in marriage to Virginia Henderson, and to this union one daughter and one son were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Donald and John Helleseth. Thomas is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Virginia, of the home; a daughter, Laura Marie Bradshaw, and her husband, Darrell, of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Thomas LeeRoy Helleseth, II, of Lebanon, Missouri; three grandchildren, Kaylyn, Darrell, and Layla; a sister, Mardell Prewitt, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in Iowa, and graduated from high school there. He entered the military in 1965, and served his country faithfully in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Guam and Thailand during his years of service. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, in July 1973 he and Virginia made their home in Lebanon, Missouri. Thomas worked as a dump truck driver for the City of Lebanon for many years, retiring in 2008. Thomas had made his profession of faith in Christ and was saved at First Assembly of God in Lebanon, where he was an active member. He belonged to the American Legion Post # 639 in Springfield, Missouri, and the Sleeper Lawn Tractor Pulling Association. In his spare time he greatly enjoyed doing leather work projects and collecting and working on model trains. He possessed a delightful sense of humor and had a dry wit. His family was very important to him and he greatly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Thomas was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments, and will remember him as a devoted family man, a dedicated, hard worker, a patriotic citizen, and a good friend. Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday February 10, 2010 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mt. Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will begin following the service under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. Return to top
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