Helen Helms

WEBSTER – Helen Helms 87 of Webster passed away Thursday February 14, 2019 at Bethesda Home in Webster. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday February 21, 2019 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster. Burial will be at St. Ottos Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 5-7 P.M. closing with a Wake Service at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster. Fiksdalfuneral.com Born on December 23rd, 1931 as the youngest of seven children to Anton ‘Tony’ and Rose (Zakrzewski) Rumpza, Helen grew up on the family farm in rural Day County, S.D. Helen was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grenville, S.D. She attended rural country school through the eighth grade, and graduated from Roslyn High School in 1950 as Salutatorian of her class. Helen married James R. ‘Jim’ Helms on June 6, 1950, in Grenville, S.D. After marrying Jim, the couple first made their home in Waubay, S.D. and after a few years moved to Webster, S.D. where they remained for the rest of their lives. Helen worked for over 30 years at the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) office in Webster, S.D. as a Program Coordinator, retiring from the U.S. Government in 1985. She then worked as a part-time teller at Security Bank and Trust in Webster, for many years thereafter. From early on, Helen enjoyed music and dancing. Whether listening or singing along, there was hardly a day without music in the background. Growing up, many hours were spent singing with her sisters while doing chores on the farm. Helen loved her family and in particular her sisters who, when growing up, were known by her mother as ‘Melia, Bena, Lora, and Laena’. With faith being a cornerstone of her life, Helen was a life-long member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster, where she participated in various ministries including: CCD teacher; an Officer and Promoter in Catholic Daughters; a Eucharistic Minister; bible study group; a member of the funeral committee; and an avid member of the church choir. Helen also enjoyed other activities, including being a team member of a weekly bowling league, the Webster Red Hat Society, the Junior Websterian Club, playing cards with family members and friends, annual family get-togethers, and extended family gatherings. Helen and Jim also enjoyed travelling the country with family and friends. Helen was a great cook and her made-from-scratch meals and sweets were enjoyed by all. A particular favorite, especially of the grandkids, was her home-made bread and rolls, otherwise known as ‘Granny’s buns’. Later in life, Helen became a resident at Bethesda Home in Webster in 2017, where she lived until the time of her death. Helen was preceded in death by her husband Jim; her daughter Kathleen Gifford; her parents Anton and Rose Rumpza; brothers Phillip Rumpza, Peter(Cecilia) Rumpza ,and Roman(Agnes) Rumpza; sisters Amelia(Stanley) Snaza, Sabina(Willard) Hubsch, and Lorraine(Dale) Carson ; in-laws Donald and Betty Helms; brother-in-laws Donald ‘Bill’ Helms, and Forrest ‘Doc’ Helms. Helen is survived by: sons James A. (Tracy) and Robert Z.(Colleen) all of Waseca, M.N.; grandchildren Carol(Andrew) Goh of Chilliwack, BC, Spencer(Jill) Helms of Mound, M.N., Mitchell(Jody) Helms of Columbus, N.E. , Allyson Helms of Sioux Falls, S.D., Theo Helms of Waseca, M.N., Joseph(Katie) Helms of Minneapolis, M.N., and Madelaine Helms also of Minneapolis, M.N.; great-grandchildren David Goh, James Goh, and Daniel Goh all of Chilliwack; Bryce Helms, Wyatt Helms, and Brody Helms all of Mound, and Andrew Herley, Taylor Helms, and Calli Helms all of Columbus; and many nieces and nephews.