Hellen May Heeren
January 19, 1936 — October 3, 2018
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Hellen May Heeren, 82 of Dell Rapids, died Wednesday, October 3, 2018. She was born in Garretson, South Dakota on January 19, 1936, to Julius and Laura (Manor) Heesch. The youngest of 8 children, Hellen was the baby of the family and would often remind her siblings of this.
Hellen made Dell Rapids her home for over 60 years. She raised her four children there, and met many friends whom she loved like family. She enjoyed volunteering at her church, The Reformed Church of Dell Rapids, and delivering Meals on Wheels to those who needed a little extra help. She loved cooking (and sometimes burning) food for her family, meeting “the girls” for a good talk, and growing vegetables and flowers in her garden. She was always quick to share what she had. She made wicked beet pickles and other canned goods that she would dole out like candy at Halloween. She loved a rivalrous game of cards – but you were best not to make a mistake if you were her partner! In her retirement years she worked at the Terrace Manor nursing home. She strived to bring a little joy to the residents every day who reminded her that every day is a gift.
Grateful for having shared her life are: her children David (Birgit) Heeren of Sioux Falls, Daniel Heeren of Dell Rapids, Delilah (Kevin) Dornberger of Arlington, Texas, and Dathan Heeren of Dell Rapids; her brothers Richard ‘Bud’ Heesch of Kingman, Arizona and Ronald Heesch of Sioux Falls,; her grandchildren Kyle (Laura) Dornberger of Bozeman, Montana, Chris Heeren of Hendricks, Minnesota, Deidre (Chad) Gebhardt of Hartford, Danielle Heeren of Vermillion, Michelle (Joshua) Draewell of Sartell, Minnesota, Dawn (Jeremy) Hosein of Denver, Colorado, Jennifer Dornberger of Bozeman, Montana, Ryan Dornberger of Houston, Texas, Lindsey Dornberger of Tampa, Florida, and Kari (Dustin) Vosberg of Sioux Falls; and 6 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters Ramona and Rose Mary ‘Rosy’, and 3 brothers Oliver, Raymond, and Robert.
Funeral services for Hellen will begin at 10:30 AM Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Reformed Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation will be from 6-8:00 PM Friday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Garretson.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Best Friends Animal Society.
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