Helen E. Welke, 91 of Redfield, SD passed away on August 19, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Redfield, SD.

Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Fr. Christopher Hughes will celebrate the Mass.

Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 pm with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD at a later date. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Helen was born to Frank and Blanche (Deslauriers) Campbell in Turton. She attended country school and graduated from Doland High School in 1943. Helen married Clayton Welke on June 1, 1946 and they recently celebrated their 69th anniversary. Together they farmed and raised livestock in the Tulare and Redfield areas. In 1970 they moved into Redfield and Helen worked as a seamstress at the South Dakota Developmental Center in Redfield.

She was an active member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and the V.F.W and Legion Auxiliaries. Helen was also a member of the Gray Ladies and a Charter Member of the Lioness Club. She was very proud of being a loyal blood donor for many years. Helen enjoyed sewing, crafts and volunteering and liked recycling things and making something new out of something old.

Helen is survived by her husband of 69 years, Clayton, of Redfield, her daughters: Judy (Jerry) Thomas of Bismarck, ND, Linda Schmidt of Spokane, WA, and three sons: Larry of Rapid City, SD, Chuck (Ellen) of Warner and Jeff (Nancy) of Plato, MN and a daughter-in-law Betty. There are also many grandchildren and great grand children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, two brothers, her son, Richard, one granddaughter, Vanessa, and one grandson, Joseph.

In lieu of flowers Helen requests memorials to Spink County 4-H or to St. Bernard's Catholic Church.