Donald Helgeson, son of Gordon and Olivia (Thompson) Helgeson, was born 30 May 1932 in the town of Valders. He was educated at Valders High School and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, from which he received a BS degree in agricultural education in 1954. Helgeson married Della Hanson on 12 September 1953, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the U.S. Navy and saw active duty in the Korean conflict. From 1957 until his election in 1968, he served as area sales manager for Lake to Lake Dairy in Manitowoc. He was also active in local service clubs such as the Elks and Chamber of Commerce.
In 1968 Helgeson was elected to the State Assembly as the Republican representative from the first district, Manitowoc County. He quickly became a leader among the Republicans, serving as caucus leader in 1971. He served two terms prior to his defeat in the 1972 general election. Helgeson's committee assignments included: labor, municipalities, veterans and military affairs, and commerce and consumer affairs.
After leaving office Helgeson joined Hamilton Industries, Two Rivers, and resumed his work in local service clubs and Republican politics. In 1971 he had suffered a serious heart attack. He died unexpectedly, presumably from another such attack, on 26 February 1976.
