R. Bruce Helwig, Sr., 79

Published 9:36 am Friday, February 17, 2017

R. Bruce Helwig, Sr., 79, of Austin, Minnesota, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin.

Ronald Bruce Helwig was born July 14, 1937, at Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Donald and Nedra (Berry) Helwig. Bruce graduated from Minneapolis Washburn High School and from the University of Minnesota. He married Judith Ann Endres on Sept. 19, 1961, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Helwigs moved to Austin where Bruce worked as a social worker with Mower County Human Services for 36 years.

Bruce was active with Boy Scouts of America during his years in Austin. He worked with Arc Mower County and was an active member of the Libertarian Party.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judith; and a brother, Barry.

Bruce is survived by his children, Kathryn Helwig, Austin, “Ronald” Bruce Helwig Jr., New Hampshire, and Robert Scott Helwig, Austin; grandson, Malcolm Freeborn; brother-in-law, Clayton Endres, St. Paul, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with Pastor Shari Mason officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and for one hour before the service on Monday. A private family interment will be held at the Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery.