Helen June Dietrich, 89, of Spearfish, went peacefully to the Lord on Thursday, November 12, 2020.  She was born on May 29, 1931 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Roswell and Francis Reel.  She loved her black jellybeans and her three sisters, Carol Rae, Avis Ann, and Vicki Marie.  She also loved her baby brother, Buzzy.  Although his life on earth was short, he was forever in her heart.

Helen met her true love and soul mate, Al Lipp, and they were married on February 14, 1948 when she was just 16 years old.  Helen and Al made their home in Lead, South Dakota where Al spent many years at the Homestake Gold Mine and Helen was the most devoted mother to their three children: Cheryl Lynn, Johnnie Dean, and Lori Lee.

Upon losing Al at a young age, Helen put both feet on the ground and began making a life for herself.  She found a job she loved and great friends at the Elks Lodge of Deadwood.  It was there that Helen found love again.  She married Marvin Dietrich on September 14, 1974 and they spent many years riding motorcycles, driving jeeps, building gardens and homes, and loving five granddaughters and one grandson.

During this time, Helen played an essential role in the raising of three of her grandchildren, Jennifer, Krissi, and Johnnie.  She cooked meals, washed clothes, made beds, picked up toys (that they put under the bed) and made sure that the schoolwork was finished.  When they no longer needed her physical presence, she became the Head Housekeeper for the Deadwood Gulch Resort.  These kiddos missed their grandma so much that they joined her staff and they were all proud of the cleanest rooms in town.

Helen's child caring days came back around in 2000 when the 'light of her life', Tyler Michael, was born.  She spent several years letting him eat food on her furniture, drive cars on her coffee table, and pretty much doing anything he wanted.  He was her 'Ty Man' and she could not go anywhere without pictures to share and telling everyone about him.  We recently learned that her caregivers put her glasses by his picture every night so he could protect them.

Marvin passed away in 2002 and Helen relocated to Spearfish where she resided until her passing.  She made many new friends, reconnected with old friends, and considered her caregivers at Spearfish Canyon Healthcare part of her family.

Helen was proceeded in death by her parents; her husbands, Al and Marvin; her sisters, Carol and Vicki; her brother, Buzzy, and her son, John.

Those left on earth to cherish Helen's memory are her daughters, Cheryl of Spearfish and Lori of Crestview, Fla.; her sister Avis (Warren) Felter of Lead and several nieces and nephews.  She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Josh, and Tyler McBurnett, Spearfish; Krissi, Mike, Lucas, and Kennedi Hannahs, Crestview, Fla.; Johnnie, Carrie, and Keegan Sack, Sioux Falls; Wendy Addington, Spearfish.  She loved them first, but they loved her last!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spearfish Canyon Healthcare Activities Department or her great-grandchildren's education. Helen enjoyed pie day, root beer floats, fancy nails, and balloon bop.

Memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel.  Helen will be laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery,

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish.  Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.