William "Bill" Helling

William H. Helling, Jr.77, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. He was born on October 14, 1935 in rural Houghton to William and Ursula Pollmiller Helling. On August 20, 1966 he married Ida Alice Long in Ft. Madison. Bill worked in maintenance at First Miss and Fruehauf. He drove the propane truck for Farmers Co-op for several years. He was a member of Ss. Mary & Joseph Church and served in the US Army. He enjoyed reading, gardening, feeding his livestock. Bill enjoyed being outside and was always a farmer at heart. Survivors include his wife, Ida "Alice" Helling of Ft. Madison; two sons, Dr. Bill (Angela) Helling of Keosauqua and Ken (Michelle Russell) Helling of Burlington; one daughter, Carrie Helling of Burlington; three grandchildren, Katie, Vaughn and Connor Helling; two sisters, Celeste Bultman of Olwein, IA and Rosemary Menke of Wever; one brother, Don (Kate) Helling of Donnellson; mother-in-law, Alene Long of Ft. Madison; sisters in law, Sandy Helling of Houghton and Lynn (Dennis) Potsander of Ft. Madison, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Roger and a brother in law, Cletus Menke. The family will meet with friends from 9-10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. The funeral mass will be at 11 AM on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at Ss. Mary & Joseph Church with Rev. David Wilkening officiating. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery. A memorial has been established in his memory and online condolences may be left at www.kinglynk.com