Helen A. Westby, 93, of Sisseton, SD passed away on December 19, 2012 at the Bethany House in Brandon, SD. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD. Rev. William Schruba officiating with organist Mona Greseth and soloist Callie Grimsrud. Pallbearers will be Ben Peterson, Sam Benedum, Luke Benedum, Mark Benedum, John Peterson, Michael Magee. Honorary Pallbearer are "all of Helen's Students and Friends". There will be visitation on Friday, December 21, from 4:00PM until 7:00PM at the Cahill Funeral Chapel and on Saturday one hour prior to services at the church. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
Family and friends mourn the passing of Helen, age 93, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. Helen was born to Carl and Clara Olson on March 2, 1919 in New Effington, SD. Her early years were spent working alongside her three sisters and four brothers on the family farm. She graduated from New Effington High School and promptly informed her mother that she was going to college to become a teacher. Grandma Clara mortgaged her turkeys and Helen went off to Northern Normal to get her teaching certificate, returning later for a BA degree. Her first teaching positions were in Roberts County in one room school houses, including Lien and Victor. Most of her career was spent teaching English to Sisseton junior high students who she inspired, believed in and insisted they learn to read, write and use correct grammar.
Music and family were her first love. The Olsons were a musical family, all played instruments with Helen on piano and had excellent singing voices. The Olson sisters, Helen, Dolores, Edris and Lucille, were known for their four-part harmony. Entertaining for social gatherings of family and friends, particularly the Westby clan, was a special joy. She relished playing golf, bridge, singing with the 'Meadowlarks' and drinking lots of Norwegian egg coffee.
Helen and Ervin met at choir practice and married on June 1st, 1940, living on the Fort Omaha Army base while Erv trained soldiers. Returning to "God's Country", Roberts County, they committed to a life of shared values, Christian faith, love of family and dancing in the kitchen! Helen and Ervin raised four children: Cheryl Peterson (John), Dean Westby (deceased), Lynel Westby (Mark Benedum) and Jane Westby-Magee (Michael). Helen loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and made sure she and Erv were there for the important times like births, home remodels, school and athletic events, instruction on life skills and any and all card games. She brought out the best and instilled her love of music in all.
Helen loved to laugh and met each day with a song in her heart and a smile on her face, whistling a tune with a cup of coffee in her hand! She was very brave, strong and stubborn and used those traits to meet life's challenges, accomplish anything and build the character of her children through example and wonderful stories. Most importantly, she made sure that the life she shared with Erv was full of fun, not allowing his thirty-year battle with Parkinson's disease to hamper any part of their lives or adventurous travels.
Helen was predeceased by the love of her life, Ervin Westby, her parents, brothers and sisters and her beloved son, Dean. She is survived by her daughters and their families - Cheryl, John, Ben, April, Hunter, Harper, Heidi and Jacob Peterson, Lynel Westby and Mark, Amy, Luke, Sam and Nicole Benedum, Jane and Mike Magee; cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends. Special thanks to the staff at Edgewood Vista, Bethany Meadows and all family and friends who lovingly supported her throughout her lifetime.
Mom, thank you for teaching us all how to live the good and just life. Memorials to Grace Lutheran Church, 421 3rd Avenue East, Sisseton, SD 57262.