MILLER, SD – Helen M. Fawcett, 91, of Miller, passed away Monday, July 22, 2024, at her home under hospice.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Community Church of St. Lawrence, with Pastors Jim Hofman, Drake Snell, and Steve Fawcett officiating. Visitation will begin one hour before the service. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Sunshine Bible Academy in Miller or Rocky Mountain Bible Mission in Missoula, MT.

Helen Maxine Hines was born along with her twin brother, Herbie, on March 2, 1933, to Sanford and Matilda (Jacobson) Hines on the family farm, in Spring Lake Township, Hand County. Helen attended Corrin Country Grade School. She graduated from Miller High School in 1951. She worked at the telephone office for a year.

Helen’s friend, Mary, was going to Fort Sill to see her husband and asked Helen to go along. She called Wayne and he said: “Let’s get married while you’re here”. She became Mrs. Wayne Fawcett, on July 12, 1952. Wayne then served in the Korean War while Helen was home and gave birth to their first son, Steven, in 1953.

Together they ranched southwest of Ree Heights. Helen loved this little valley and the friends she made there. They then moved to the southeast of Miller on June 2, 1960.

Helen was a wonderful seamstress, winning awards for her sewing and making clothes for her family, also involved in 4H and Grange. She started her own upholstery and drapery business in a schoolhouse building Wayne moved behind the back of their home. She loved to spend time there.

Helen was a friend to count on and a constant blessing to her family. She loved to eat out and have coffee with friends. One special friend in recent years was Lou Rediger. They did many things together! Helen was famous for her homemade ice cream at Christmas time and other special occasions. She was a hard worker! Milking cows, canning, gardening, etc.

Fair time was a highlight for Helen. She loved the people and the action. Another yearly event she looked forward to was the annual Sunshine Bible Academy fundraising auction.

Her grandkids loved to visit and play on the farm. There were horses to ride. Cookies to bake, stock tanks to swim in, and the barn for basketball, etc. She gave them a childhood much like the one she had growing up. She shared memories of sliding down the hay mounds with her cousins. In her upholstery shop, she made many “mini” couches for each grandkid‘s family.

She is survived by her brother, Tom Hines, Children: Steve (Brenda) Fawcett, Dawn (Arlen)Rowland, Randy Fawcett, John (Darlene) Fawcett, Della (Gaylon) Anderson, Scott Fawcett; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild (plus twins due in Oct); step-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; and step great-great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Eleanor Steptoe; brothers-in-law, Harland (Carole) Fawcett, Rodney (Rose) Fawcett, and Don (Marlys) Fawcett; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne E Fawcett; parents, Sanford and Matilda Hines; stepmother, Mary Hines; parents-in-law, Edwin and Ada Fawcett; brothers: LaVern, Roger, and Herbie; sisters: Mazie Rediger and Doris Rediger; brothers-in-law: Don Steptoe, and Dale Fawcett; and son-in-law, Arlen Rowland.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Helen’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net

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