Fred Gerald Heldt, 60, of Merrill, Wisconsin, passed away on August 19, 2021 at his home. He was born on August 3, 1961 to Fred and Donna (Larkee) Heldt in Merrill, Wisconsin. After graduating high school, Fred joined the army and served in the Gulf War. While overseas, his first conflict was the Noriega invasion of the Panama Canal. Fred also surveyed the tunnels between the Koreas. After leaving the Army, Fred married Deborah Goff, whom he met in high school, and they welcomed their only child, a son, in 1996. He was very involved with coaching his son’s hockey teams, both in Merrill and Phillips, WI. Fred and Debbie owned and operated a resort on Chain O’Lakes in Phillips for 7 years where he loved taking the guests on fishing guides. He sold the resort and earned his Associates Degree in Maintenance from NTC. Fred was hired at Anderson Windows in Menomonie, where he moved his way up to Maintenance Supervisor until COVID hit, he then had the opportunity to retire and move back to Merrill. Fred loved to volunteer and once took the Elk Mound High School to compete in the world tournament for bass fishing. He was very active within the VFW and Northwoods Veteran’s Post 1638, serving as Quarter Master for the Post and on the Honor Guard. Fred was a lifetime member of AMVETS in Phillips. Fred camped, hunted with his family, and competed in fishing tournaments until his heart was content. While COVID was a blessing early on, giving him the opportunity to come back to Merrill, in the end, it took his life. Fred will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Fred is survived by his wife, Deb Heldt; son, Corey Heldt; step-son; Joshua (Rebecca) Burgener; mother, Donna Heldt; siblings, Jay (Karen) Heldt, Bruce (Karen) Heldt, Andy (Becky) Heldt, Mark (Theresa) Heldt, John (Meredith) Heldt, Phillip (Pia) Heldt, Karen Heldt, and Luke (Amber) Heldt; nieces and nephews, Hannah, Ben, Lindsay, Brady, Matt, Chad, Tyler, Mason, Hunter, Grace, Anabelle, Ainsley, and Ezra; his canine companions, Duke and Scarlet. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Heldt.
A public visitation will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Waid Funeral Home. Military honors will be performed at the funeral home by the Merrill VFW Post 1638. A luncheon will follow honors at the Northwoods Veteran’s Post. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 1638 in loving memory of Fred Heldt. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.