Helmuth Eisenbeisz, 1924 - 2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Oct 12, 2021 | 9:34 AM / 354 views
Helmuth was born Dec. 14, 1924, to Mathias and Rosina (Oster) on the family farm near Hosmer, SD. He joined five brothers – Emil, Albert, Elmer, Gardner, and Gerhardt and was nicknamed Franz because he was not an early riser. Being the youngest, he helped his mother and Aunt Katherine (who lived with them) with the cooking, churning butter, ironing and sewing, scrubbing floors, and bringing in cow chips for the stove. He was also thankful for the food they had during the Depression. He rode his horse to a country school through eighth grade, then he attended Hosmer High School for a short time. Since he could only speak German, it was difficult for him to understand the English speaking teachers. With his dad being a horse trader, he grew up with Quarter and Belgian work horses and it was a sad day when his Shetland pony, Ice Cream, was sold at their farm auction in 1945.
His family moved to Bowdle, SD, where he met and married Lucylle Albrecht on Sept. 8, 1946. There was no honeymoon since it was harvest time, but they did have a wedding shivaree and spent their wedding night at the Bowdle Hotel. They loved to dance and belonged to a square dance club. While working for the Farmers Union station in Bowdle for 23 yrs, he attended Dunwoody Institute where he learned heating and cooling installation. They moved to Rapid City, SD, Orient, SD, and in 1972 to Mobridge, SD, where he was employed at Holzworth Bros. He then took a job at Mobridge High School, where he enjoyed working with the staff and students and also driving the Bluebird bus to sporting events. In retirement he always stated, “I hauled him on the bus” when referring to former students like his physician, Dr. Travis Henderson.
Helmuth was meticulous in having a place for everything and everything in its place, including his collections which were neatly displayed. Helmuth and Lucylle never missed an auction, rummage sale, or action line on KOLY radio. Throughout his life, he had a great interest in vehicles and was especially proud of his 1924 Model T. Helmuth and Lucylle enjoyed traveling to almost all 50 states, often with the campers they restored. Building and refinishing projects became H & L Workshop, as both Helmuth and Lucylle enjoyed woodworking. After Lucylle’s death in 2018, and moving to Prairie Sunset Village in 2019, his projects continued. He was heard hammering while he built stools, bird houses, did leather work, and made rope with his father’s rope machine, while cheering on his favorite Twins baseball team.
He was passionate about playing his harmonica which he carried in his pocket, ready to entertain anyone at any time. He had a great love for dogs throughout his life, including Fido, Chippy, Snoopy, and his faithful companion, a blue heeler named Dusty.
When he could no longer attend church on Sundays, he still donned his suit and boots as he had always done. With his faith and trust in God, he went Home at age 96 leaving his family of Luane Johnson & children Luke (Kate) & Jade; Lanet (Wade) Duncan & children Levi & Logan; Loxie (Jay) Shillingstad & children Hannah Schaefer, Hayden (Victoria), Holden, & Hudson; Hadly (Kristin) & children Carson, Bennett, Addison, and great-grandchildren Isabel & Amara Johnson, Willow Duncan, Journey & Wayland Schaefer.
The funeral service will be held Oct. 15 at 1:00 pm, at Zion Lutheran Church, 620 9th St. West, Mobridge, SD, with a private family burial in Bowdle, SD. Condolences may be sent to 516 2nd Ave E, Mobridge, SD 57601.