Obituary of Irma Helgeland

Irma Helgeland, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 in Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. John Rutten officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will begin at 6:00 PM, Friday, January 10, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM and Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Irma was born on March 15, 1924 in Emery, SD to Edward and Mary (Schiltz) Olinger. She was one of 9 children. Irma grew up on the family farm and graduated from Emery High School in 1942. She married Les Helgeland at St. Martin Church in Emery on November 27, 1947, and they lived in Mitchell until their move to Yankton in 1967. Irma enjoyed being home to raise their four children. She was a devout Catholic and was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and praying the rosary. She was President of Beta Sigma Phi, President of Holy Family Altar Society, a CCD teacher, a 50 year member of the Catholic Foresters, and a member of the Catholic Daughters, Hospital Auxiliary, St. Jude's Craft Circle, Oblates, and the Sacred Heart Funeral Choir. Irma was employed by various fabric stores in Yankton, including Fran's Fabric, Dawn's Fabric, and JoAnn's Fabric. In 2012, she moved into Majestic Bluffs Assisted Living and enjoyed the many friendships she developed while living there. Irma was an avid and competitive card player, and enjoyed crocheting, going to community concerts, watching PBS, dancing, and attending her grandchildren's sporting and musical events. She was a gifted seamstress and enjoyed sewing beautiful quilts and clothing, including her daughters' wedding dresses. She and Les enjoyed traveling and had plans to do more before his sudden death in 1982. Irma enjoyed cooking for her family and was best known for her chicken noodle soup and the many treats she made for her grandchildren. She appreciated the simple things in life such as a good steak, fried chicken, and chocolate! Most recently, Irma was excited as she became a great grandmother on January 1, 2014. She is survived by her four children Patricia Helgeland, Sioux Falls; Dave (Patty) Helgeland, Brookings; Deanna (Jeff) Branaugh, Yankton; and Mary (Rob) Marchand, Mitchell; her six grandchildren Leah Branaugh, Huron, SD; Jay (Karmyn) Marchand, Sioux Falls; Molly Branaugh, Yankton; Kate Marchand, Sioux Falls; Maggie Helgeland, Brookings; and Matt Helgeland, Brookings; and one great grandchild Dax Robee Marchand, Sioux Falls. She is also survived by her sisters Rosella Tammen, Bridgewater; Sister Dorothy Olinger OSB, Yankton; and her brother Ray (Helen) Olinger, Long Beach, Mississippi; sisters-in-law Irene Olinger, Loretta Neuharth, and Lois Johnson; and a large extended family and group of friends and neighbors. She was preceeded in death by her husband Les, her parents Edward and Mary, her sisters Mary Scharffenberg and Lenora Olinger, and brothers Anthony, Joe, and Bill Olinger.