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Helena M. Hughes Bregenzer
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Helena Mae Hughes Bregenzer, age 72, formally of Monroe, WI, currently of Oregon, WI, died on Monday, January 5, 2009, peacefully surrounded by her family, after a long struggle with cancer. She was born on August 20, 1936 in Lafayette County, the daughter of Maurice J. and Rosalie Adel (Miller) Hughes. She was a 1955 graduate of Monroe High School. Helene and Marco George Bregenzer, Sr. were married on August 12, 1961 at St. Victor Catholic Church in Monroe.

Marco and Helena owned and operated Marco's Supper Club in Monroe. They served the community for four decades, Helene's passion and commitment for serving the public showed in the number of people who considered Marco's their "celebration place" for their personal events and milestones. She understood that dinner out was not just a meal, but for many it was a moment to celebrate an accomplishment, an hour to relax, or a special time to be with the people you love and enjoy. After Marco passed, Helene moved to Oregon where she continued to serve the public at the Dean Deli on Fish Hatchery Road and The Family Restaurant in Oregon where she made memories and friends and became the honorary "grandma" for so many. Helene also worked as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the Monroe Schools and St. Victor Catholic School and Church. She attended Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Oregon and St. Victor Catholic Church in Monroe.

Helene was blessed with five beautiful and talented children that touched her life in their own individual way. They gave her love, purpose and a legacy. Surviving are her children: Theresa (Brian) Elliott and their children Shawn and Sydney, Marco (Tamara) Bregenzer, Jr. and their children Liz and Eric, Ann (Thomas) Dvorak and their children Lauren and Lucas, Mary Deisinger and her son Wally and his children Tyler, Haley and Jordan Olson and James Bregenzer. Siblings surviving are: Mary Maurer, Joseph (Betty) Hughes, Barbara (Peter) Murphy, Margie Marti, Charles (Evonne) Hughes, Michael (Judy) Hughes, Patty (Norman) Grunder, Ellen (Joseph) Hughes, Maurice (Kay) Hughes; a brother-in-law, Karl (Nedra) Hughes; sister-in-law, Rita Bregenzer Elliot and many loving nephews, nieces and dear friends. She is predeceased by her parents, Rosalie and Maurice Hughes; husband, Marco; twin daughter and son, Patricia Ann and Patrick Michael; sisters-in-law, Ginny Bregenzer and Angela Bregenzer Weiser; brothers-in-law, Wally Weiser, Robert Maurer and Nathan Marti.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2009 at St. Victor Catholic Church in Monroe. Celebrant will be Fr. Michael E. Klarer with burial in Calvary Cemetery in Monroe. A visitation will be held on Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home in Monroe and a Rosary will be read at 8 p.m. at the funeral Home.

The family asks that donations be made in their mother's honor to The Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Care Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 or to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. A special thank you is extended to the nurses and doctors at the Hospice Care Center for their love and tender care of Helene and her family. A personal thank you to Maria and Joanne for helping us make our mother's journey comfortable and special. The deepest gratitude and love goes to Ellen and Joe Milz for their constant devotion to their sister "Lena." Finally, we would like to honor our mother by asking that the family and friends please wear her favorite color, the color blue, to the wake and funeral.