Obituary of Helen Ruth Geidel

Parkston – Helen Ruth Geidel, 101, went to her heavenly home Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Avera Bormann Manor.  Funeral service will be Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Dimock.  Visitation will be Friday, February 28 from 5 to 7 pm, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm, at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Dimock.  Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Helen was born to Fritz and Ottilia (Scheetz) Wegehaupt Jr. on June 27th, 1923.  She was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church west of Dimock, SD. She grew up on the farm and attended Washington #27 country school.  She was united in marriage to Elmer C. Geidel on July 30, 1944 at Immanuel Lutheran Church while Elmer was home on leave from the Army during World War II.  After Elmer was discharged from the Army they began farming west of Dimock.  Helen helped with the milk cows, raking hay, taking care of the chickens and hogs along with caring for a large garden and the family.  Her family enjoyed her homemade kuchens and asparagus on toast. 

Helen was a charter member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of Immanuel Lutheran.  She also served as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher.  Helen’s hobbies and interests were reading, sewing quilt tops for World Relief, embroidering and cross stitch.  Through the years, Elmer and Helen would travel to different states for reunions with Elmer’s Army buddies.  They were blessed with 63 years of marriage before Elmer passed away in 2007.  She moved to Parkston in 2010.

Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters, Norma Gehner of Mt. Olive, IL, Brenda Drefs of Parkston, SD and son David (Mona) of Dimock, SD, a son-in-law, Dick Stark of Tea, SD, 14 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren and seven great, great grandchildren.  She is survived by one sister-in-law, Agnes Reimnitz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Elmer; daughter Geraldine Stark; Sons-in-Laws Eldon Gehner and Michael Kayl; grandsons Chris Kayl and Jeff Stark; three sisters: Adeline Storm, Margaret Geidel and Rose Wegehaupt; four brothers: Robert Wegehaupt, George Wegehaupt, Arthur Wegehaupt and Melvin Wegehaupt; Five brothers-in-law: Lawrence Storm, Herb Geidel, Lorenz Negebauer, Albert Negebauer and Bernard Reimnitz;  four sisters-in-law: Anita Wegehaupt, Ruth Wegehaupt, Alvina Negebauer and Anita Negebauer. 

Memorials may be directed to Main Street Living or the Alpha Center.