Helen Mae Herrmann

Helen Mae (Gould) Herrmann, long-time resident of Custer and Rapid City, SD, passed away on June 8, 2016, in Glendale. Born Oct. 13, 1924, in Forsyth, MT, Helen spent most of her childhood in Wessington, SD, where she lived on the farm, the fourth of six daughters born to John and Mae (Carrington) Gould.

A real-life Rosie the Riveter, Helen and her sister, Hazel, took the train to Seattle and worked on the assembly line at Boeing Aircraft during WWII. The sisters made their way back east as the war continued, and worked for Burlington Northern Railroad in Guernsey, WY, in the roundhouse. Helen returned to South Dakota after the war, and settled in Custer, where she met and married Paul Herrmann in 1946. Paul and Helen had four children, Dan, Darla, Diane and Doug, who were raised primarily in Custer at their home near Pageant Hill.

Helen’s compassion for people made her a wonderful caregiver, and she worked for many years at the State Hospital and the Colonial Manor Nursing Home. She loved to watch sports, especially the Broncos, and was a fixture in the stands at Custer, Stevens, Nebraska, SDSU, Regis, and wherever her children and grandchildren were competing.

Known for her wry humor and quick wit, Helen was a great conversationalist and people enjoyed her company immensely. She will be missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Paul, in 2007; and her sisters, Mildred, Hazel and Thelma. She is survived by her sisters, Gladys Cody and Marion Herrmann; and her four children, Dan (Deb) Herrmann, Darla (Joe) Tankersley, Diane Herrmann and Doug (Marnie) Herrmann. Also surviving Helen are her grandchildren, Cami Shaffer, Jason VanTrease, Lyndy Friz, Jessica Warren, Nicole Digmann, Kelly and Kacey Herrmann; and great-grandchildren, Kristina Schell, Kane Corle, Kenzie, Kaylee and Mason Digmann, and Ethan, McKenzie and Melissa Woodward. They were the light of her life.

Inurnment will be held for Helen at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. A friends and family picnic will be held on Friday, July 22, at Canyon Lake Park in Rapid City. Details will be published at a later date.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Helen’s name are encouraged to support Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Custer. Written condolences can be done on www.chapelofthechimesmortuary.com.