Helen McKay

Helen M. McKay, 96, of Orient, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023, at Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls. 

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 15, 2023, at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, Faulkton, with Fr. John Short presiding. Burial will follow in Prairie View Cemetery, Orient. A rosary will be prayed starting at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service at the church. 

Margaret Helen Deuter was born July 1, 1927, at Vermilion on the Lake, Ohio, the fourth of 10 children to Benjamin Franklin and Myrtle (Wallace) Deuter. Helen was baptized in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She graduated from Ree Heights High School in 1946 and worked at various places but most notable was for Merriweather Vet Supply in Miller for 8 years and as a Postmaster relief for 17 years in Orient.

Helen was united in marriage to George McKay on February 23, 1963, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Miller, SD. They spent their years ranching in Orient and eventually lived at the home place that had been built by George’s grandfather.  After George died, Helen moved to Autumn Villa apartments in Orient, SD.  

Helen was a devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Orient, SD, and loved our Lord. She was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, our blessed mother, Mary, and St. Anthony. She was a member of St. Joseph Altar Society, the Orient/Polo Catholic Daughters of America, the Orient American Legion Auxiliary, and Lakeside Country Club.

Helen was quite an athlete throughout her years and her family was extremely proud of her accomplishments in basketball, bowling, and golf.  She was extremely competitive, whether it was in a sport or playing board games at the kitchen table. She had the “memory of an elephant,” so to speak, and everyone was always using her as a lifeline or wanted her on their team. 

She loved spending time with her family, and they loved spending time with her.      

Survivors include her children:  Diana (Ken) Mach and Shane (Angela) McKay both of Sioux Falls; six grandchildren: Chris (Lauren) Mach, Kelly (Bryan) Boyd, and Patrick Mach, Emma, Molly, and Katie McKay; six great grandchildren, Ian, Kennedy, and Cora Mach, and Myles, Lyla, and Rayne Boyd;  two sisters: Betty Deuter and Evelyn (Dean) Hyde; one brother: Johnny (Patty) Deuter; one sister-in-law: Judy Dixon; three brothers-in-law: Jerry Ray, Allen Hanson, and Jim Johnson; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and most importantly the little community of Orient, who always takes care of their own.  She was so proud to be a part of this little town.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, George; son, Shawn; parents: Franklin and Myrtle (Wallace) Deuter; three brothers and sisters-in-law: Buster (Lois) Deuter, Donald (Ethel), and Dick (Violet) Deuter; three sisters: Bethene Ray, Maxene Deuter, and Dot Hanson; brother-in-law: Bob Dixon; and sister-in-law: Virginia Johnson.  

In lieu of flowers, please offer perpetual masses for her, or make donations to the Dougherty Hospice Hospital in Sioux Falls, the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, or St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain, SD.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Helen’s arrangements.