Irene R. Helwig

Irene Helwig 93 of Milbank and formerly of Waubay died on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at Milbank Area Hospital in Milbank. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, December 23, 2010 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Waubay. Inurnment will be at Waubay Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Wednesday 2-4 P.M. then continuing at the church with a 7 P.M. Rosary. Fiksdalfuneral.com. Irene Rose Thuringer was born on Wednesday, August 8, 1917 to George and Johanna (Wier) Thuringer on the family farm near Eden, South Dakota. She was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eden. She attended school in Eden. After she received her education she worked as a telephone operator for a short time. On October 29, 1935 she was united in marriage to Max Helwig at Eden. After their marriage the couple made their home at Grenville for a short time and then moved to Waubay. She cleaned homes for area residents, did babysitting, was the caretaker of the Catholic Church and cooked for the priest. For thirteen years she operated a caf in Ortley. She retired in 1987 because of her health. She entered St. Williams Care Center in Milbank in April 2007. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was a member of the Altar Society. She also belonged to Waubay Senior Citizens. She loved to cook, sew, embroidery and play cards. She especially loved seeing her grandchildren and taking care of her family. Irene passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at Milbank, South Dakota at the age of 93 years, 4 months and 10 days. Survivors include three daughters, Patricia Peterson of Sacramento, CA, Judy Helwig of Waubay, SD and Sandra Richardt of Britton, SD; one sister, Jane Wika of Webster, SD; nine grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, one daughter, one grandson, three sisters and four brothers.