Helen Peterson
October 30, 1930 ~ January 18, 2016
Helen Marie Peterson, age 85, from Polo SD (formerly from Holabird) passed away Monday, January 18, 2016 at Faulkton Area Medical Center, Faulkton, SD. She died peacefully, surrounded by 3 generations of family members and held up in prayer by many more.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 25, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant. Burial followed in Medicine Hill Cemetery, Harrold. A rosary and scripture service was held at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, January 24, 2016 at the church with visitation starting at 6:00 p.m.
Helen Marie Knippling was born October 30, 1930 to Lambert and Alice Knippling at Gann Valley, SD. She attended grade school in her own back yard school house, and high school at Mount Marty in Yankton. She obtained her teaching certificate from Mt. Marty and taught for a few years at the grade school she attended. Helen obtained her degree in Education from Huron College and taught for several years in Harrold and Ft. Thompson.
Helen married Wayne Peterson on June 5, 1952 at Immaculate Conception Church, Stephan, SD. To this union eight children were born: Kenneth, Thomas, Cheryl, Janet, Elizabeth, James, Mary Alice, and John Charles. She greatly enjoyed her 20 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
She spent the early 1980’s caring for the ranch, including calving out a large herd of cattle with son Jim, while Wayne was traveling the country as a leader of the American Agriculture Movement. At the age of 56 Helen graduated from Dakota Wesleyan College as a Registered Nurse, and worked in Huron, Pierre, and Highmore. She was a member of the CPH club, Catholic Daughters, Church Altar Society, NFO, and American Ag Movement. She loved to play the organ, quilting, and genealogy.
She is survived by her children: Thomas (Candi), Burien, WA, Cheryl (Fred) Schaefers, Polo, SD, Elizabeth (Steve) Clark, Ft. Pierre, SD, James (Tammy), Fruitdale, SD, and John Charles (Georgeen), Wolsey, SD; son-in-law: Rick Martinmaas, Polo, SD; 20 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; brothers: Francis (Donna), John (Cheryl), Joe (LeAnn); brother-in-law, Frank Schnell; sister, Carol Ann (Larry) Marsh; and sister-in-law, Claire Ryan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lambert and Alice; sisters, Catherine Van Balen and Margret Schnell; brothers, Robert and Howard, sisters-in-law, Ethel Knippling and Karen Knippling; brother-in-law, Ross Van Balen; her infant children, Kenneth and Mary Alice; daughter, Janet Martinmaas; and husband Wayne Peterson.
The family would like to thank the Faulkton Hospital doctors and staff for the wonderful care they provided. Also Fr. Christopher for the time he spent, and all who held her up in prayer. It meant so much to us that she was surrounded by people who knew and loved her just as we did.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Helen’s arrangements.
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Cheryl and family. So sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. May our thoughts and prayers bring you comfort and peace. In Deepest Sympathy.
Dear Cheryl and family- I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. You have my deepest sympathy and that of our entire court. Thoughts and prayers go out to you all. May God grant her eternal rest and may perpetual light shine on her. Hugs and blessings!
I am so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. I had the privilege of working with Helen for a while, and found her to be such a wonderful person and we kept up our friendship after she left to move to Polo. I know she will be missed by so many that knew and loved her. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of her family.
I am so very sorry for your loss of such a great woman! I didnt know her long, but wish I had! She will be greatly missed by so many! My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family during this time of sorrow.
I’m so sorry to hear about Helen. What a neat lady she was. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.
Thinking of you at the loss of your mother and grandmother. I have many memories of her while I lived in the Highmore area. I pray that God will give you all strength during this time. Sharing happy memories while you are together will help.
Aunt Helen will be missed.
I was saddened to learn that Helen has passed away. She was a very gracious person and befriended everyone she met. I’ve known her and "Breezy" for over fifty years. She was one of my best supporters. I will surely miss her.
Our deepest sympathy to all of Helen’s family. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. God Bless.
Prayers to all Helen’s family tonight, she was a bright light in my life and link to many memories, I will never forget living in her trailer in Pierre!
Your mother was such a nice lady, always with that sweet smile on her face. I am so sorry for your family’s loss. She and Breezy raised an incredibly nice family. Cherish your memories and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
May memories and Faith comfort you all at this difficult time. Helen held a special place in the hearts of my mom Gladine McGirr Boschee, and my mother-in-law Lyla Busse. She was a wonderful neighbor to Lyla and mom taught most her children at Pratt (?) School in South Hyde. With respect for an inspiring woman who enriched the lives of those who knew her. Sincerely and on behalf of Lyla and Gladine. With Sympathy, LaVaughn McGirr Busse
So sorry to here of your mother’s passing. She was a wonderful lady. I have known her since the early ’80s. I also knew your father. Your mother had so many talents. I hope to meet her someday on the other side. Remember all the good times. They will carry you through.
We were sorry to hear the news about Helen. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom and the rest of the family.
So Sorry for your loss, Helen was one of the sweetest persons I’ve known. I was blessed to have known her. Prayers and hugs to you all.
My prayers are with all of you as you lay your mother to rest.
What a nice person, I always enjoyed spending time around her and visiting with her. Will keep you all in my prayers.
What memories I have of this wonderful lady!
Kind, generous, hard-working, faithful, and unselfish are just a few words that come to mind when I think of Helen. You all will miss her greatly, nothing takes the place of your dear, sweet mother and grandmother, but the precious memories can’t be taken away. Her reunion with loved ones gone before her is surely her reward in Heaven.
Our sympathy to all of you. I enjoyed visiting with her when she was at Highmore Healthcare.
We were saddened to hear that your Mom had passed away. Helen was an amazing woman, full of spirit and drive- even the last time I saw her (at Chris’ funeral). She was with you a long time, but it’s always hard to say good-bye. I know that you will greatly miss her. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. From all of us in Canada- Eleanor, Mark, Anne, Jill (Lusignan)
sorry to hear this tom sending thoughts and prayers to get you through this hard time