Helen DeSchepper

Helen C. DeToy was born on May 22, 1927, to Louis and Margaret (DeWitte) DeToy.  She spent her childhood on a farm near Jasper, Minnesota, with her parents and six siblings.  Helen attended country school until the 8th grade.  She and her siblings rode horses to school. 

On November 19, 1946, Helen married Donald DeSchepper at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper.  They celebrated almost 72 years together before Don passed away on November 1, 2018.

In 1962, Don and Helen purchased Helen’s childhood farm near Jasper where they farmed their entire married life.  Helen was a hard worker.  She raised the chickens, sold eggs, carried milk, cleaned the milkers and bulk tank.  Helen was always ready to lend a helping hand on the farm whether it was sorting cattle, moving pigs or driving Don out to the field.  Helen raised a large garden and canned the produce.  Helen’s hands were never still.  In the evening, after supper dishes, you would find her sewing on buttons or darning socks.

After Don’s passing, Helen continued to farm with her two sons raising Angus cattle and crops.  Helen especially enjoyed attending the cattle auction where she was recognized for the quality of the cattle they raised.

Everyone was welcome at Helen’s table and no one left hungry.  She fed many hired men and drove meals out to the field during haying season and harvest. Helen was a fantastic cook and baker.  There was always homemade dessert with every dinner. 

Helen enjoyed her neighborhood friends, Marion, Barb, Annette, Barb, Linda, Jane and Nellie who would celebrate birthdays together over coffee and dessert.  

Helen was a life-long member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Altar Society.  

Helen passed away after a short illness on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

Helen is lovingly remembered by her children,  Joan (Allan) Henely of Rochester, MN, Bruce “Buck” (Susan) of  Sioux Falls, SD, Mary (Richard) Desmarteau of Peoria, AZ, Mark (Pam Ullom) of Jasper, MN, Linda “Belinda” (Paul) Kaffar of Sioux Falls, SD, and John (Chris) of Garretson, SD;  grandchildren, Ben (Mandy) DeSchepper and their children, Trevor (Courtney), Shelby, Nick, Sean and Jake, Blake (Paula) Desmarteau and their girls, Alivia, Delaney, Mallory and Summer, Dustin Desmarteau and his girls, Elle and Wren, Emily (Mike) Andersen and their boys, Owen, Quentin and Nolan, Maggie (Chris Wollmann) Kaffar, Katie DeSchepper and her son, Jack.

Also surviving Helen are her sister, Marie Martinson of Dell Rapids, SD; her sisters-in-law, Lillian DeToy of Dell Rapids, SD, Millie DeSchepper of Plymouth, MN, Jeanette DeSchepper of Alabama; and brothers-in-law, Roger Elverson and Joe Zimprich, both of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents; brother, James DeToy; and sisters, Leona Stelling, Irene Padgett, Clara Elverson and Carol Zimprich.

The family would like to thank Dougherty Hospice House, Avera McKennan Hospital, and the entire staff at Avera Internal Medicine, especially Dr. Alissa Brummond, for the wonderful care given to Mom.  

In lieu of memorials, we ask that you would remember Mom by having a home-cooked meal (with dessert) with your family.