Helen Elizabeth Olinger, 98, Woonsocket, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 in Prairie View Care Center, Woonsocket.
Funeral services were Monday, Sept. 24 in St. Wilfrid Catholic Church, Woonsocket.
Basham Funeral Home, Woonsocket handled the arrangements.
Helen Elizabeth (Shulte) Olinger was the fifth child of six born April 10, 1914 to Charles and Elizabeth (Schumecker) Schulte, in Aurora County.
She attended Elm Grove Country School and graduated in 1932 from Plankinton High School.
She attended Notre Dame Junior College for two years and received her teaching certificate. For two years she taught in Elm Grove School.
On June 19, 1935 she married John George Olinger in Letcher. To this union five children were born, Donald, Bernard, Virginia, Larry and Ronald. John and Helen lived on the family farm in Jerauld County.
In 1978 Helen moved into Woonsocket and was always happy to host her grandchildren in between their school activities.
Helen had many interests including gardening, painting, crocheting and sewing. Many remember her beautiful flowers, which often decorated the church altar. She was active in many church activities. She was a member of Catholic Daughters, Altar Society and St. Wilfrid Choir. Helen loved to play cards and spent many pleasant afternoons at the Senior Center playing cards with her friends.
She is survived by four children: Bernard (Irene) Olinger, Woonsocket, Virginia (Rodney) Graham, Fargo, N.D., Larry (RuthAnn) Olinger, Woonsocket; Ronald (Linda) Olinger, Sioux Falls; 15 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husband in 1972; one son, Donald Olinger in 2008; one daughter-in-law, Kaye Olinger in 2007; two grandsons: Jonathan Olinger and Tracy Zeibart; one great-granddaughter,  Shandra Tobin; two brothers; and three sisters.