Helen Elizabeth Rorgo was born in Reliance, South Dakota, on March 6, 1925, to Oscar and Ada (Johnston) Rorgo. She passed away and into God’s care on January 10, 2021. In all likelihood, she was met by Neil and her parents at Heaven’s gates.

Helen received her education at Mobridge, Pierre, and Belvidere. She received her diploma a year after graduation, when Belvidere High School became accredited.

Because she was an only child, Helen was often asked if she was a spoiled only child. She learned to respond that she was – she had a lot of love. What she didn’t have were material things or, sometimes, the necessities of life.

At age 16, Helen decided Neil Rittel was the man for her. They were married on May 31, 1944, shortly before Neil left for service. After basic training and a short furlough, he left for active duty, taking Helen’s heart with him.

Helen worked as a clerk at Fischer Brothers’ Store in Fort Pierre while Neil was in the service. It was while she was at work that she received the telegram that Neil had been wounded in battle. There were no details, and she just had to wonder and worry for days about how badly wounded he had been.

After his Honorable Discharge, Neil and Helen lived on a farm north of Kadoka, followed by a move to north of Philip, where Neil managed a dairy farm until it was sold a year later. His first job in Pierre was at the airport, converting barracks into housing. He also worked for contractor George Specker, building houses.

In 1954, he went to work on the Oahe Dam and was there until its completion in the early 1960s. During those years, Helen was a housewife and mother to their six children. She had the family for which she had always longed to be a part.

Neil and Helen were baptized on Easter Sunday evening in 1957. Those years as new members of First Baptist Church were among the best for Helen and her family. Friendships were established that lasted through their lives.

Helen and Neil lived away from Pierre for 15 years where Neil was able to find work in Utah and Wyoming. In Utah, they added two new sons-in-law to their family, having to leave part of their now-large family and friends when they returned to South Dakota. Returning to Pierre was their shared hope. Neil told friends and co-workers that, well, he owned land in Pierre, without explaining it was cemetery plots.

Helen worked as a nurse aide or ward clerk in hospitals in Pierre, and then in Roosevelt, UT, and Douglas, WY, before returning to Pierre. She loved working in the hospital environment and took care of patients “like they were her own kids” (her words). When they returned to Pierre, they returned as new managers of Chateau Apartments. Long-time tenants appreciated how well they kept the property during the ten years they were there. Neil passed away on Veterans’ Day in 1997.

Helen accepted a position at the new Walmart in 1995. She worked there for 18 years and considered her co-workers and friends as family.

Survivors include her son, Brad (Dawn) Rittel and her daughters, Donna (Keith) Crandell, Karen (Alan) Hughart, Laura Rittel, Tana (Ronnie) Culpepper and Liz (Jim) Ames. Also left with gratitude for sharing in her long life and with good memories of their Grandma Helen are 12 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren. Helen was predeceased by Neil and their parents, Oscar and Ada Rorgo, her step-dad, George H. Sherrill, and Sol and Ella Rittel, their infant great granddaughter, Maizy Rittel, granddaughter-in-law Tamie Ames, along with Helen’s beloved Aunt Frances (Sis) and Uncle Virgil (Tunie) Jensen.

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