HURON — Helen M. King, 87, of Huron, passed away Friday, April 30, 2021, at Huron Regional Medical Center in Huron.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Welter Funeral Home with a public prayer service starting at 7 p.m. A private family funeral service will be held Wednesday at Virgil United Methodist Church with burial at the Virgil Cemetery.
Helen Maxine Sammons was born July 1, 1933, to Herbert & Selina (VandeWalle) Sammons on a farm located south of Wessington. Helen attended grade school at Sand Creek and graduated from Virgil High School. On January 14, 1953, one week before her fiancé was sent to serve in Korea; she married the love of her life, Kenneth M. King, at the First United Methodist Church in Huron.
Upon Ken’s return from the Korean War, they were stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Wash., where their first daughter, Cheryl (Sherry), was born. After returning to South Dakota, she and Kenny created a busy and full life together, with Helen raising their growing family (Julie, Kevin and Lori) and being an active and ever supportive partner of her husband in their farm and agribusiness. They lived on several farms in the Virgil-Wessington area before eventually purchasing and settling on the same farm where Helen was born. They later moved to Huron to be closer to the family business. Her most treasured roles in life however, were always that of wife, Mom and Grandma King—and their home was the center of the family.
Helen was a 62-year member and served for many years as President of the Virgil American Legion Auxiliary Schmidt Barnes Post 268. She was a 50+ year member of the Virgil United Methodist Church where she loved to sing--whether in the choir or the congregation, was President of and a long-time member of the United Methodist Women, served on Church Council and various other church committees, and taught Sunday School/Bible School for years. She also enjoyed many years as a member of the Jolly Neighbors Extension Club.
Those left to cherish her precious life are her children, Sherry King of Huron, Julie King Fritzsche of Wessington, Kevin (Angie) King of Wessington and Lori King of Black Hawk; four grandchildren, Jessica (Kip) Tschetter of Huron, Jason (Devin) Fritzsche of Huron, Matt King of Sturgis, Ashlea (David Holzapfel) King of Rapid City; seven great-grandchildren, Skye & Storm Tschetter, Axel & Alivia Fritzsche, Kenlee & Cashton King, and Annalynn Holzapfel; three step-great-grandchildren, Brailey (Antony) Becker, Abbi Davis, & Allison Hulst; three step–great-great-grandchildren, Bastian, Brekken, & Brycyn Becker; sister, Darlene Holland of Prophetstown, Ill.; brothers, Willard Sammons of Geneseo, Ill., and Bob (Sheila) Sammons of Sioux Falls; sister-in-law, Gertrude Reimer of Huron; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth on Dec. 16, 2014; sister-in-law, Yvonne Sammons; and brothers-in-law, Dale Holland, Daniel Reimer, Alvin King and Eldred King.
Visit www.welterfuneralhome.com
Paid Obituary
