Curtis L. Helding, 78, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. He was born in Racine on April 23, 1938, the son of the late Harold and Leone (nee: Kette) Helding.  Curtis graduated from Washington Park High School in 1956. On October 24, 1959, he was married to Barbara Ann Kwapil at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Curtis was the co-owner and operator of General Tool & Die for more than 50 years, a business that was started by his dad, Harold. He liked to play golf and played on the Racine Recreation Senior volleyball and softball teams. He also enjoyed rebuilding and restoring Ford Mustangs.

Curtis is survived by his children, Crystal (Mark) Heinen of Racine, Catherine (Keith) Webster, Cheryl (Raymond) Pye, and Frank (Barbara) Helding all of Mt. Pleasant; 9 grandchildren, Aaron (Chelsea) Dunk, Robert (Momoko) Dunk, Sean (Megan) Dunk, Carisa (Lucien) Nemath, Kyle Webster, Cassandra Webster, Caitlin Webster, Kurtis Webster, and Krystle Ramsey; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Diane (Carl) Larrabee and Mary Helding; his mother-in-law, Lily Kwapil; sisters-in-law, JoAnne Cruz and Susan Andersen; brother-in-law, Russell (Jane) Kwapil. He also leaves behind his special friends Wally & Julie Nelson and Don & Karen Greidanus as well as many other relatives and friends. Curtis was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; his great-granddaughter, Grace Nemath; and brother-in-law Peter Andersen.

Curtis' awesome children (which is what he often called them) invite you to join them at Bethania Lutheran Church, 4120 Wright Avenue, on Friday, October 7, 2016 for special goodbye to their dad at 1:00 pm. There will be a visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A private interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are suggested.

The family wishes to thank the Racine Fire Department and Police department for their assistance.

Service Details

Friday, October 7, 2016

Bethania Lutheran Church, 4120 Wright Avenue, Racine

Visitation – 11:00 a.m.

Memorial Service – 1:00 p.m.