Helen Turner

Helen M. Turner, 93, of Highmore, went home to be with the Lord Friday, December 8, 2017 at Highmore Health in Highmore.

Funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the Church of Christ, Highmore with Pastor Jeffry McKean officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blunt. The luncheon and fellowship was held at the Blunt Senior Center following the burial.

Helen Marie (Schein) Smith Turner was born June 22, 1924 to Emil and Blanche May (Haynes) Schein at home on the farm in Lane County, Elmira, Oregon. At the age of 14, Helen left home to be on her own, but was soon living with a Salvation Army minister and his wife. For her room and board she babysat their children. She also put herself through high school working nights.

When she was 18, she went to school to learn the welding trade. She then worked at the Kazer Shipyard, Vancouver, Washington utilizing her trade as a welder on aircraft carriers during World War II. There she met Aubrey Smith, also a welder from Coleman, Texas. They were married October 30, 1944 and to this union five children were born. She also helped to raise a niece and a nephew.

They lived in Washington, Oregon and Texas. In 1953, they purchased a farm Northwest of Harrold, South Dakota. Helen worked hard on the farm by growing large vegetable gardens, raising poultry and livestock, canning, baking, sewing clothes and quilts. Many people enjoyed her cooking especially her southern fried chicken and her pies.

Helen instilled a good work ethic and love for The Lord in her children and made sure they went to Sunday School and church every Sunday.

In 1967, she moved to Highmore and worked as a cook at the PlaMor Lanes. In order to live near two of her daughters she moved to Texas and then Washington. In 1985, she purchased a home in Blunt, South Dakota. She was a member of the United Methodist Church. She continued working in her later years providing home health care for the elderly.

Helen was a virtuous Woman with a servant’s heart. Her character is best described in Proverbs 31:10-31.

Those left to cherish her memory are -- Harlan (Sharon) Smith, Harrold, SD; Yvonne (Michael) Broadhurst, Tomasina, Madagascar; twin daughters Bonnie Henley, Renton, WA and Barbara Leesman, Blunt, SD; Vickie (Ray) Mazurek, Comanche, TX; 12 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and son-in-law Rickey Leesman.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice at Asera Care, 528 N. Sycamore Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57110.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Helen's arrangements.