The Rosary Service for Helen Bergenheier, age 70, of Lemmon, SD, will be held at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. all on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon, SD. Fr. Charles Zins and Deacon Bill Dustman will officiate.

Helen Ardis Nelson was born on September 16, 1947 in Bismarck, ND, to Wilbur and Anna (Wiedmer) Nelson. She grew up in Lemmon, SD, and attended Lemmon High School.

On July 27, 1966 she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Bergenheier. They began their life together in Lemmon, and moved to North Carolina during Joe's military service.

They lived in various locations around the country as Joe worked for the Bureau of Land Management. In 1967 their first son, Michael was born and their second son, Sheldon was born in 1969. In 1972 they made Meeker, CO their home and spent the next 30+ years together.

During her time in Meeker, Helen worked in the accounting field for Jirak's Corner Drug, M & P Roustabouts before retiring from Colowyo Coal Company in 1997.

Family was a great importance in Helen's life. She traveled many miles watching and cheering on her sons in various sports, later following and watching her grandchildren in their activities. She enjoyed bowling, fishing, reading, especially mystery books, puzzles, and having coffee and socializing with friends and family.

In 2006, Joe passed away, and Helen continued to live in Meeker, CO, until moving to Lemmon, SD in 2011. She worked for the Nutrition Site in Lemmon and was active with the St. Mary's Catholic Church.

In 2017 health issues forced her to slow down, and she entered the Five Counties Nursing Home in July. She passed away on Friday, September 29, 2017 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

Helen is survived by her sons, Michael (Denise) Bergenheier and Sheldon (Jennifer) Bergenheier; four grandchildren, Megan and Michael Bergenheier and Brooks and Erick Bergenheier; sisters, Lorraine Holdahl, Shirley (Joe) Warfield and Betty Eller; brother, Bob (Patti) Nelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilber and Anna Nelson; her husband, Joseph Bergenheier; brothers, Sonny Nelson, John Nelson and Arthur Nelson; and sisters, Bertha Johnson, Marjorie Lorenz and Susan Napton.

Visitation will be on Monday, October 9, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.