Theodore Jon Heldt

Theodore J. “Ted” Heldt passed away of cancer, on Dec. 8, 2024, after a lifetime of caring for his family, friends, and community. Ted inspired generations of students as a Mosinee School psychologist. As golf coach and assistant hockey coach, he imparted the many life lessons sport holds for us: responsibility, commitment, and the satisfaction that can stem from hard work. He also contributed to the broader community, serving as Mosinee’s Parks and Rec Commission Chair for 35 years and on the city’s Planning Commission.

Ted was funny and kind and valued people and relationships over things. He taught his family to make the most out of every day and often had a joke or homespun bit of advice to share. He loved all things Wisconsin, especially the Badgers and Packers, and was a local championship golfer. Even as his illness advanced, he stayed active biking and walking, often along the “Purple Circle” trail he helped create beside the Wisconsin River. 

Ted was the third child of the late Dorothy (Hickey) and Fred Heldt of Merrill, WI. He graduated from Merrill Sr. High School in 1959, where he played hockey, tennis, and appeared in the play, “Dirty Works at the Crossroads.” Ted joined the Navy out of high school, serving for three years as an aviation technician in Point Mugu, California. Then at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, he became fascinated by psychology and decided, “If I could find a way to make a living in this field, I would be happy going off to work for the rest of my life.” He did, and he was.

While in Madison, Ted met Rachel (Nash), who would become his beloved partner for 59 years. The young family moved to Omaha, where Ted was an insurance adjuster for a year, before returning to Wisconsin for Ted’s graduate school at Stout State University to become a school psychologist. Along the way, their two children Troy and Jennifer arrived. 

The family moved to Mosinee when Ted accepted a full-time job with the school system and have lived in the same house ever since. They loved the small-town atmosphere and their many friends there. Ted became a lifetime member of Indianhead Golf Course, where he spent hundreds of hours playing golf, serving on their governing board, and volunteering. Indianhead is also where he shot three of his four holes-in-one.

Ted retired in 1999, and the couple bought a cottage on Mable Lake near Tomahawk. Over twenty years, they remodeled it and planted bushes to protect the lake from run-off. They also traveled extensively. Ted’s favorite trip was to St. Andrews in Scotland and the Old Course, where golf began. It was like walking on “Holy ground,” he said. For the last 17 years, the family spent six weeks each winter in Orange Beach, Alabama, golfing, biking, and enjoying the warmth.

Ted is survived by his wife, Rachel, son, Troy (Jessica) Heldt, and daughter, Jennifer Powell (Alvin), seven grandchildren: Mackenzie, Ruby, Ruben, Zara, and Cori Jane Powell; Stephanie Olson, Jonathon Heldt and seven great grandchildren: Jah’ni Love, Mark Rose Jr., Julius Rose, Logan Bleach, Milo Powell, Isabella and Jasmine Olson; his sister, Lois Grans of Madison, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Fred, and sister, Mary Grefe.

 A Celebration of Life for Ted will be held on June 21, 2025, at the Mosinee Brewery, from 12:30 to 3:30p.m. Memorial donations can be sent to the Mosinee Public Schools where a scholarship fund has been established in Ted’s name. Or to the City of Mosinee, for the Rip-Rap Fund, to help preserve River Park from erosion. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.bestefh.com.