Arlan C. Helgeson Obituary (1921 - 2014)

Arlan C. Helgeson, husband, father, grandfather, teacher, author and friend, 92, of Normal, died at 1:35 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2014 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.Cremation rites have been accorded and no services are currently being planned. Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Friends of Milner Library.He was born November 29, 1921 in Holmen, Wisconsin, the son of Alfred and Tillie Beito Helgeson. He married Candace Stephenson in 1944 and she preceded him in death in 1997.Surviving are three children, Fleur (John) Rilett, John (Paula) Helgeson and Eric (Linda) Helgeson; four grandchildren, John (Robyn) Rilett, Jr., Stephanie Rilett, Kathleen (Jeff Gasikowski) Helgeson and Maria Helgeson; and two great-grandchildren, Thomas and Graham Rilett.Arlan graduated from Holmen High School in 1939 and enrolled in LaCrosse State Teachers College, earning a B.A. in 1943. He served overseas in the Army Air Corps as a radio operator during the Second World War. He taught for one year at Bangor (Wisconsin) High School, then continued his education at the University of Wisconsin, where he received a Ph.D. in History in 1951. He served as Professor of History, and later Dean of the Graduate School and Acting Provost, at Illinois State University, retiring in 1982. He was the author of Farms in the Cutover (1962), Growing Up in Holmen, a personal memoir (2009), as well as several articles for the journals of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Arlan was also co-author of The United States of America: A History for Young Citizens (1963).