Robert P. Helbach's Obituary
Robert P. Helbach
November 3, 1942 – July 21, 2025
Robert Patrick Helbach unexpectedly passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025 at the age of 82. Bob was born on November 3, 1942, in the same bedroom he slept in for the past 60 years in the Town of Lanark, Portage Co., WI. to George and Neva “Merle” Helbach.
The youngest of ten children, Bob grew up on the family dairy farm and after losing his Father at age 13 he milked cows and operated the farm with his Mother until he graduated from Amherst High school in 1960. Shortly after graduating high school Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and served his country from April 1961 to 1965; Bob spent most of his career in the U.S. Marine Corp serving aboard the USS Coral Sea. Bob married Helen Dernbach on April 4, 1964 at St. Martin’s Church in Buena Vista; they had six children. After serving his country, Bob worked as a salesman for Waupaca Auto Supply, Schultz Industries and Hedlund Manufacturing before coming back to the home farm in 1974.
Following one of his passions and tired of travel and time away from family, Bob restarted Helbach Farm’s, raising field corn and snap beans. As the farm was expanded, Bob started raising potatoes. He served many years on the Wisconsin Potato Vegetable Growers Association negotiating contracts with the processors; his love for the industry and wanting to help all vegetable farmers was known by all. He was inducted to the WPVGA Hall of Fame.
He loved his family and especially enjoyed taking the grandkids and great grandkids on “Ranger” rides and to Timber Rattler Baseball games. Bob was an avid sports fan and supported all Falcon athletics, especially baseball; he enjoyed all baseball, farming and especially his family. He was a devoted Catholic and had a devotion to the Virgin Mary and recited the rosary every morning.
Bob is survived by his wife Helen Helbach, Amherst, WI; Sister-in-law: Elizabeth “Betty” Helbach, Plover, WI; Children: George (Lara) Helbach, Black River Falls, WI; Robert (Jennie) Helbach, Rosholt, WI; Corky (Shelley) Helbach, Amherst, WI; Michael (Debra) Helbach, Amherst, WI; Suzanna (Travis) Firkus, Rosholt, WI; Grandchildren: Zachary (Ashley) Helbach; Lindsay (Steve) Maves; Alex (Dasha) Helbach; Olivia Helbach; Zachary Zillmer; Alli (Nate) Parker, Shawn (Bria) Skibba; Sean (Stephanie) Skibba; Paige Skibba; Tanya (Chris) Mitchell; Cameron Gaulke; Abigail Helbach; Gabriel Helbach; Andrew Helbach; Anthony Firkus; Parker Firkus and Elizabeth Firkus; Great Grandchildren: Josie Maves; Jaxon Maves; Jayce Maves; Isla Helbach; Thomas Helbach; Ivory Skibba; Shawn Skibba Jr.; Oliver Mitchell; Oakley Mitchell and Meadow Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Merle Helbach, a daughter – Elizabeth Ann, siblings – Harold, Neva, Frederick, Joseph “Charles”, Jim, Mary Ellen, Marcia, Hazel and David.
A Funeral mass will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, (8611 State Hwy 54) Almond, WI at 11 AM on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, with Father James Kurzynski, Father Rajendra Anandan and Father Joseph Birungi, officiating. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Town of Lanark, Portage Co., WI. Visitation will be held on Friday, from 4 until 8 PM at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church with a Rosary Service to be held at 7:30PM. Visitation also on Saturday, from 9 AM until the time of the service at the church. The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements.
The Helbach Family would like to thank the Amherst Fire Department and Paramedics for their professional and caring work with Bob; we would also like to thank the Jungers-Holly Funeral Home. We also want to thank all family and friends for the show of love, support and prayers. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in the memory of Bob Helbach.
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