Gale H. Hellerud, 70, Mazeppa, formerly of Hills, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.
Services were Sunday, Sept. 8, at United Methodist Church in Mazeppa. The Rev. Allan Vrieze officiated. There was a private burial.
Gale Henry Hellerud was born to Henry O. and Eva (Goodwin) Hellerud, July 25, 1932, in Hills. He grew up in Hills and graduated from Hills High School in 1950.
He entered the U.S. Air Force on June 18, 1951, and was honorably discharged on Dec. 29, 1953. He entered St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree.
He married Dora Jean Tibbits on June 8, 1957, in Canby. He began teaching and coaching at Magnolia High School in Magnolia. In 1962 they moved to Ronan, Mont., where he taught and coached there for one year. In the fall of 1963 they moved to Mazeppa and he taught English and coached basketball, football and track for 25 years, retiring in 1988. After he retired, he entered Rochester Community College and was a student and worked in the photography department.
Mr. Hellerud was a member of United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #588, a charter member of Mazeppa Lions Club and served as Mayor of Mazeppa for two years. He also volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels and Seniors Transportation and was active in the community.
Survivors include his wife, Dora, Mazeppa; two daughters, Nancy Hellerud, St. Paul, nd Julie Hellerud, Denver, Colo.; one brother, Robert (Jeannie) Hellerud, Hills; two sisters, Betty Copler, Pine Island, and Eleanor (Louis) Sargent, Luverne; nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law.
Mr. Hellerud was preceded in death by his parents.
The family suggests memorials to the Gale Hellerud Scholarship Fund.
Mahn Family Funeral Home, - Larson Chapel, Zumbrota, was in charge of arrangements.