Judge Paul E. Hellwege

July 3, 1912 - February 6, 2010

Judge Paul E. Hellwege, age 97, of Boone passed away on Thursday afternoon, January 28, 2010 at the Boone County Hospital. Judge Hellwege was born July 3, 1912 in Amaqua Township, Boone County, Iowa, the first child of Frank C. and Ida (Shadle) Hellwege. He attended country school for the first four grades. The balance of his secondary education was at Boxholm, where he graduated in 1930. In the fall of 1932, he enrolled in the University of Iowa as the result received a BA degree in 1936 and a JD in 1938. After graduating, he returned to Boone and began his law practice. In 1959, he formed a partnership, known as Hellwege & Bergren. On August 27, 1939, he married Phoebe Benson in Iowa City and in 2005 they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Shortly after coming to Boone, he became active in Democratic politics. In 1942, he was elected County Attorney of Boone County, an office he held for six years, and was the first Democrat to do so. On two occasions, he was a member of the State Democratic Central Committee. Judge Hellwege was twice appointed as District Court Judge. In 1958, he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of H. C. Nichol – the first Democratic judge in the then 11th Judicial District since 1894. In 1964, he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of John M. Schaupp. He served as a District Court Judge until April 30, 1981, and as a Senior Judge until December 10, 1991. Judge Hellwege has been a member of the Boone Rotary Club since 1948. He is a Past President of the Boone club, was District Governor in 1954-55, and served on Rotary’s Council on Legislation on four occasions. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, a Rotary Foundation Benefactor and in 1994 received the Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service. In 2007, he received the Foundation’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. He has been active in many areas of service to his home community. He was Charter President of Boone Community Chest and served on the Boards of Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Madrid Home for the Aging, Boone Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army. He was District Chair of the Broken Arrow District-BSA, President and Director of Boone County AARP and served 30 years on the Council of the Augustana Lutheran Church. He was an avid reader and his hobbies included flower gardening and stamp collecting, specializing in first day covers. Judge Hellwege was preceded in death by his beloved wife Phoebe, his son David, his daughter Janice, his parents and a baby sister. Survivors include his sister Wilma Bennett of Boone, nieces Twila Torres of Gladstone, Missouri and Karla Jenkins and her husband Walt of Boone, nephews Rev. Don Benson of Waterloo and Ted Benson of Shalimar, Florida, David’s partner Jan Peterson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, three grandnieces, one grandnephew, numerous other relatives and friends. Judge Hellwege’s love was the law. His fellow judges described him as “an able and respected judge”. The Iowa Supreme Court in affirming a criminal case presided over by him observed, “Trial court throughout displayed that patience and insight which characterizes competent management of criminal cases.” Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, February 6th at the Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone with Pastor Daniel Solomon officiating. Interment will be in the Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone. Friends may call at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during which time the family will be present. Visitation will continue at the Augustana Lutheran Church on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be designated to the Rotary Foundation or Augustana Lutheran Church, for the benefit of the Hellwege Memorial Scholarship.