Dora Laura Helmer Hansen, 83, passed away in the presence of her loving family at the Highmore Healthcare Center on Nov. 7, 2015.
Funeral services were Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the First Congregational UCC Church in Pierre. Inurnment will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery. Visitation with a 7 p.m. prayer service was Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the church.
Dora was born Feb. 14, 1932, on the family farm near Belle Fourche to William A. and Alma J. (Lindgren) Helmer. She grew up with five brothers and two sisters and a huge Helmer extended family in the Belle Fourche area. She graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1950.
She married the love of her life and best friend, James Otto Hansen in May of 1950. They celebrated 65 years together and were blessed with three daughters.
Dora was a true domestic engineer who ran a tidy household and took great pride in her home and taking care of her family. She had a strong love of music that she instilled in her daughters, insisting on piano lessons, playing a musical instrument in band and singing in the school choir. All three girls still use their musical gifts that she shared with them.
She was a member of the First Congregational UCC Church, P.E.O. Chapter CG, Eastern Star and served her church by coordinating Meals on Wheels drivers.
Dora is survived by her husband, Jim; daughters, Linda (Steve) Whitney of Artesian, Diana (Leland) Buseman of Canistota, and June Hansen of Pierre; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings, Dorothy Umenthum of Belle Fourche, Mary Lou (Mike) Hanify of Worland, Wyo., Larry (Ardyth) Helmer of Belle Fourche, and Gary (Jean) Helmer of Belle Fourche; and sisters-in-law, Betty Helmer of Belle Fourche, and Wilma Helmer of Renton, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Alma Helmer; brothers, Raymond, LeRoy and Glenn Helmer; three siblings that died in infancy; brother-in-law, Kenneth Umenthum; and sister-in-law, Ruth Helmer.
Arrangements were with Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre. Online condolences may be made at www.isburgfuneralchapels.com