George V. Van Helden

George Valentine Van Helden, age 87, passed away Friday, July 4, 2008 at his home. He was born April 23, 1921 in Rice Lake, WI to A. James and Julia (nee Frolik) van Helden. George grew up on a farm in the Rice Lake area and attended school at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dobie, WI. During WWII, he worked as a welder in the shipyards in Chicago building mine sweepers for the Navy. Returning to Rice Lake, he married the former Donna Louise Olson on November 20, 1945. They later moved to Eau Claire where he worked for a short time for National Presto and then went to work as a welder in maintenance for Sterling Pulp and Paper Co. (Pope and Talbot) from which he retired in 1983. An avid outdoorsman, George enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. George is survived by two sons: James (Lillian) van Helden of Chippewa Falls, WI and Richard (Jane) Van Helden of Eau Claire, WI;four daughters: Louise (John) Rossato of Eau Claire, WI, Bonnie (Michael) Solie of Rochester, WA, Mary (special friend James Goss) Doughty of Delray Beach, FL and Lucy (K.C.) Stabeck of Tonka Bay, MN; his care giver and special companion: Gerri Moore of Eau Claire, WI; fifteen grandchildren: Robert (Gretchen ) van Helden, Brian (Susan) van Helden, Jennifer (Brian) Johnson, Jason (Erin) van Helden, Angela (Jahn) Eberhardt, Andrea (William) Anderson, Daniel Van Helden, Ryan Van Helden, Michael (Dena) Slaby, Matthew Slaby, Melissa (Dewey) Moritz, Benjamin Doughty, Justin Doughty, Sarah Whealon and Brady Whealon; and twenty two great-grandchildren: Sean, Erica, Christian, Allison, Olivia, Matthew, Austin, Michael, Gracie, Levi, Austin, Samantha, Ethan, Parker, Addison, Zachary, Asher, Aidan, MacKensie, MacKale, Shelby and Dewey, Jr. He was preceded in death by his wife; an infant brother, Henry, and three other brothers: Aloysius, Francis and Harold; and two sisters: Alice Bartes and Josephine Jenkins. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends may call at Plombon's All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Service, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Vigil Service, and again, at the church on Wed., one hour prior to Mass. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers with Northwest Hospice and the special care and love from his dear companion, Gerri Moore. Condolences may be made care of the funeral home or online at 866allfaiths.com.