Helen Caroline (Heilman) Galbraith
(July 30, 1924 – April 14, 2010)
Former Sisseton resident, Helen Caroline (Heilman) Galbraith (Age 85) passed away at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Sisseton, South Dakota at 10:30 AM on Monday, April 19, 2010, with Rev. Fr. Andy Knop Celebrant. Organist will be Missy Heinecke and song leader will be Sandi Jaspers. Pallbearers will be Nathan Galbraith, Darin Fonder, Justin Close, Nasri Mansour, Tim Galbraith and Don Hannasch. Burial will be in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery immediately following. A reviewal will take place from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, on Sunday, April 18, 2010, with family present from 5:00 to 7:00PM followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton. Helen Caroline Heilman was born on July 30, 1924 in Bowdle, South Dakota to Christian and Anna (Warner) Heilman. Helen lived in the Bowdle area until 1937, when at the age of 12, her family moved to Sisseton. She graduated from Sisseton High School in 1943.
Helen was united in marriage to John (Jack) Galbraith on April 27, 1946 and together had six children who they raised in Sisseton. Their love for each other grew stronger over the 63 years they spent together and it was touching to see how they helped and cared for each other in their final years. Her husband passed away six months ago and she missed him greatly. They are together again, and will remain so, forever.
Helen was employed with Landsberger's Creamery as a young adult and later worked with the Henry Carlson Company as a bookkeeper when the current high school was built. However, the employment that Helen enjoyed the most was her work as a teacher's aide with the Sisseton School District. Over the years, many children have benefited from her tutoring in math and reading and from just being in her nurturing presence.
Helen enjoyed quilting, crocheting, canning, fishing, gardening and caring for her family. God blessed her abundantly with grandchildren and great grandchildren who she cherished. She enjoyed everything there was to being a grandmother. She particularly enjoyed watching her grandchildren play and hearing their laughter while spending time at their cabin on Clear Lake.
Since moving to Sioux Falls in 2003, Helen resided at the Sunny Crest Retirement Community and more recently, at the Inn on Westport. Helen was a member of St. Peter's Parish in Sisseton and St. Michael's Parish in Sioux Falls.
She is survived by her children, Fred Galbraith of Sioux Falls, SD; Mary Bunch of Des Moines, Iowa; Joe (Kelli) Galbraith, of Amery, WI; Dan (Teresa) Galbraith of Coon Rapids, MN and Tim (Barb) Galbraith of Sioux Falls, SD; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sister Marjorie Hannasch of Sisseton and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack; son John Christian Galbraith; sister Delores Janisch; brother Jerome (Jerry) Heilman; and her parents.
God bless you mom and thank you for everything.