Herman Otto “Bud” Helgen, 88, of Litchfield, died Tuesday evening, Dec. 19, 2023 at 7:31 p.m. at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.
Funeral services for Mr. Helgen will be conducted Friday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, located at 1301 N. State St. in Litchfield. The Rev. Fred Kraemer will officiate and burial will be in the Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held Thursday afternoon, December 28, 2023 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Helgen was born on Nov. 3, 1935 in Litchfield, a son of the late Otto Herman and Hulda Marie (Bentlage) Helgen.
Mr. Helgen was a life-long farmer. He was a graduate of Litchfield Community High School with the Class of 1953. He married the former Shirley Jean Niemann on Dec. 11, 1955 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and she survives. Mr. Helgen was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church and served as an elder for several years. He also served on the church building committee that oversaw the construction of the new school building in 1972 and the new wing addition that was added onto it in 2018. He was always on hand to help with various maintenance projects around the church and school.
Mr. Helgen was a member and past-president of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau. He was a past board member of the former Litchfield Community Savings and Loan. He enjoyed taking trips and traveling with his wife, Shirley. He enjoyed going to Arthur to visit the Amish countryside. He also enjoyed bowling.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Helgen is survived by two sons Michael (Rebecca) Helgen of Litchfield and Jeffrey Helgen of Litchfield and daughter, Amy Jo (Thomas) Allen of Ashland; brother, Edward Helgen of Litchfield and sister, Alice Alexander of Tacoma, WA; eleven grandchildren, David (Jennifer) Helgen, Eric (Colleen) Helgen, Kevin Helgen, Tyler (Kimberley) Helgen, Chad (Meagan Fugate) Marburger, Madison (Austin Dodds) Helgen, Brayden (Ann) Helgen, Landon (Kaitlin Bergschneider) Helgen, Margaret “Maggie” Allen, Quinn (Sidney Donnan) Allen and Julianna Allen; thirteen great-grandchildren, Morgan, Caroline, Catherine, Maggie, Matthew, Elizabeth and Abigail Helgen, Madelyn McCuin, Hazel and Lucy Marburger, Natalie LaRae Dodds, Rosalie Ann Pattillo and Ida Mae Helgen.
Mr. Helgen is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Shari Lynn Helgen-Huntley; and his sister-in-law, Susanna Ruth (Simpson) Helgen.
The family suggests memorials to the Zion Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran School.
The Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family with arrangements. To light a virtual candle, sign the online guest book, or for directions, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com
