Elmer B. “Fud” Hellermann

“Elmer B. “Fud” Hellermann, 91, of Melrose, passed away suddenly, surrounded by his family, Dec. 24, 2022, at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital in Melrose.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 29, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with the Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and 10-10:45 a.m., Dec. 29, at the church in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., Dec. 28, at the funeral home.

Elmer Bernard Hellermann was born Sept. 23, 1931, in Melrose Township, Stearns County, to Henry and Rosina (Wessel) Hellermann. After his dad died, Elmer farmed with his mother and five siblings. On Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1954, he married Anna Herdering at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa. After their marriage, they stayed living on the family farm for five years. Many years later, Elmer’s son, Dale, took over the home place. In 1959, Elmer purchased his own farm north of Melrose and in 1981, his son, Donnie, took over the family farm. Elmer and Anna then moved to Melrose, and Elmer began working at Jennie-O Foods in Melrose in maintenance for the next 10 years and worked numerous other jobs, including Mayers Dragline, Mayers Bus Company, Patty Brakes Catering Service, Melrose Fertilizer and at the Melrose skating rink. On Aug. 5, 2022, Elmer moved to Parkview Center Assisted Living in Melrose.

Elmer was a man of faith and could talk to anybody. He loved to socialize, joke around and was a master at giving everyone a nickname. He appreciated his friends and neighbors and was proud and truly loved his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elmer liked helping others and staying busy. He enjoyed 50 years of deer hunting, snowmobiling, bowling, taking walks, playing cards, casino bus trips, helping his sons on their farms, fishing, going to fish fries and making memories at the cabin on Long Lake. He was happy to have traveled to Germany many times and loved hosting German relatives.

Elmer was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, St. Bernard and St. Elizabeth Society and Catholic United Financial.  

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Anna Hellermann, of Melrose; children Donald (Debbie) Hellermann of Melrose, Dale (Debbie) Hellermann of Melrose, Gary “Fritz” (Jean) Hellermann of Melrose, Denise (Steve) Rieland of Sauk Centre, and Diane (Paul) Brickweg of Alexandria; 18 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters Henry “Hank” Hellermann of Vadnais Heights, Dorothy (Alvin) Schneider of Sauk Centre, Simon (Mary) Hellermann of Sauk Centre, and Roselyn Lehner of Shakopee; and sisters-in-law Kathy Elfering of Melrose, Rita Hellermann of Sauk Centre and Bernice Hellermann of Melrose.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; infant son Gary Hellermann Feb. 10, 1956; brothers Paul, Norbert, Richard and Roman Hellermann; and sisters Mary Ann Primus, Marcella Frericks and Loretta Hinnenkamp.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

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