Helen Stansell, 96

Helen Christine Stansell, 96, of Dell Rapids passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Funeral services were August 4, 2018 at Willow Creek Lutheran Church in rural Dell Rapids.

Helen Christine Odde Stansell was born December 22, 1921 to parents John and Minnie (Sundem) Odde on a farm east of Hartford. She was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls and confirmed at the Willow Creek Lutheran Church. She attended Foster School until the fifth grade when the family moved to a farm west of Dell Rapids, where she attended Hanson School and then graduated from the Lyons High School in 1939. 

Helen married Vincent Stansell on August 10, 1942 in Seneca, Kansas. Following their wedding, they moved to San Antonio, Texas where Vincent was stationed in the Army at Lackland Air Force Base. San Antonio was their home for three years and she was employed at Quirk and Company, a general insurance agency. From there, they were transferred to Wilmington, Delaware for a short time.

In 1946, she and Vincent moved back to South Dakota to a farm west of Dell Rapids where they raised their three children. Vincent passed away November 24th, 1986.

Helen loved the farm, being outdoors, tending the flowers and mowing the lawn, but most of all she loved her family and spending time with them was very important to her.  She resided on the farm until 2011 when she had health issues. After leaving the farm, her house on the farm burned, and she lost everything. After regaining her health, she moved to an apartment in Dell Rapids where she lived out her remaining years.

Helen was an active member of the Willow Creek Church until her later years where she taught Sunday school, was co-chairman of a work group, a member of WELCA, the Naomi circle and the Quilters. She was an avid quilter and made a quilt for each grandchild and great grandchild, as well as giving away many baby quilts to friends and relatives. She was also known as the “cookie grandma." Many of the family members were sent on their way with a plate or bag of cookies she had baked. Her door was always open to anyone for a cup of coffee and at least one cookie. No one ever left hungry from her house!

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Vincent; one brother, Harold Odde and three sisters, Ann Zubke, Ruth Elverson, Evelyn Sittig; special niece, Barbara Umbreit and special nephew, Douglas Sittig. 

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, John (Anita) Stansell,  Nancy (Lynn) Brehm and Roger Stansell (special friend, Connie Wernke);  six grandchildren;  Jocelyn (Jason) Patterson, Connie (Eric) Cameron, Michelle Stansell, Shane (Theresa) Brehm, Lacey (Jake) Jensen and Skyler Stansell (fiancée’  Keiana Koepp); twelve great-grandchildren,  Layton Harvey,  Jonathan “Jonny” Harvey, Alexavier “Alex”  Cameron, Kellen Patterson, Ireland Patterson, Vincent “Vini” Camerson , Allana Creech, Piper Patterson, Enzo Cameron, Colter Jensen, Jax Patterson and Tenley Jensen.  She is also survived by sister- in- law, Myrtle Odde; several nieces and nephews and special neighbor and “angel”,  LeAnne Richeal. 

A special thank you to the wonderful team from Compassionate Care Hospice that gave her such tender loving care during her last three months, especially to Amanda and Ashley.