Funeral services for Mary Ann Helper age 74 of McLaughlin will be 1:00 PM Friday, September 25, 2020 at the Little Eagle Pow-Wow Grounds. Interment will be in the Elkhorn UCC Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. Private family services will be Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Elkhorn UCC. Visitation will be prior to the services on Friday. Mary Ann passed away Monday, September 14, 2020 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grand Mother and Sister, Mary Ann (Chasing Hawk) Helper made her journey to the Spirit World on September 14, 2020 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

MaryAnn was born on December 21, 1945 to Leo and Lizzie (Tree Top) Chasing Hawk at Little Eagle, SD. She attended elementary school at Little Eagle Day School and graduated high school from Standing Rock Community High School in Fort Yates, ND.

She worked for the Food Distribution Program for 38 years. She loved going to the national conferences every year and was known for bringing her star quilts for door prizes.

There are so many beautiful memories about MaryAnn. Wilma remember’s her teaching us to play “Jacks” around the kerosene lamp in our one room log house. Also, her and sister Fern making KaBoBo bread for her younger brothers.

MaryAnn married Bill Helper and out of this union, they had four girls and one boy. She was proud that “Uncle Bill” played softball for the Blazers for many years. She was also proud when Captain participated in the National Punt, Pass and Kick competition.

She was best known for her Star Quilts. Beautiful designs that she came up with. When Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls, she made an image of a bull and took it to Minneapolis where she presented it to Coach Jackson. She was asked to make a star quilt for Kyrie Irving’s return to our people. She made two quilts within two days that were presented to Kyrie. With pride, Char W.M. put the Standing Rock logo star quilt on Kyrie’s shoulder during his naming. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA quilt was also presented to him at the same time. Thank You MaryAnn. She was featured in Land’s End Catalog and interviewed by KFYR-TV in Bismarck, ND.

MaryAnn also made all the quilts for her father when the Annual Leo Chasing Hawk Tournament was held in Little Eagle and McLaughlin. Some of the best basketball players competed in the tourney. Her sewing talents will be greatly missed. Her daughter Wilma, is currently making quilts, a talent that was passed on by her mother and grandmother, Lizzie Chasing Hawk.

The family would like to thank everyone for their condolences and prayers in our time of need.

MaryAnn is survived by her children, Billie Jo, Willow, Wilma, and Bill Jr. and their families. She is also survived by her two younger brothers, Delbert and Everett Chasing Hawk, grandchildren; Seth Helper, Michelle/Brady Claymore, Hailee, Gavin, Charlize, Sidney, Wallace Sees the Elk Lacey/Jeremy Red Bear, Lashae, JR, Tae, Kyler, Tylee/Ashton Fourth, Azdon, Chelsea Yellow Earrings, Keagon, Cassie Yellow Earrings, Jarik, LaMarius, Lucas, Lenaya, Damien Yellow Earrings.

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her husband, William Helper Sr., parents Leo and Lizzie Chasing Hawk, daughter Michelle, grandsons, Tyler and Corey, brother, Walter Chasing Hawk, sister, Fern Standing Crow.

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