Helen Westphal, 85 of Spearfish, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 26, 2015.

Helen June (Mileusnich) Westphal was born on June 17, 1929 in the Onida Hospital as the 9PM whistle blew. She was the oldest of four children of Mike and Martha (Klingbeil) Mileusnich.

She was raised on a farm SE of Onida and attended S Buffalo Grade School and was boarded in Onida for high school. She graduated in 1947 then attended summer school in Aberdeen at Northern State. She received her Teacher's Certificate and then taught at S. Buffalo and S. Morton. After moving to Lead she kept her certificate active and substituted in the Lead Schools for many years, She so enjoyed her time teaching and subbing. She loved kids and was a true "hands-on" fun loving mom for her two and all their friends.

She married her one and only, Kenny Westphal on July 25, 1948. They made their home on his family farm for awhile until moving to Lead.
Helen attended Sunday school and church at S. Buffalo School taught by traveling preachers. She gave her heart to Jesus in her teen years and rededicated her life in her later years. Their first child, Monty, was born in 1954 and their second, Cindy in 1957.
In 1981, Helen went to work for the Lawrence County Treasurers Office. She retired from there in 1995.

Her one and only granddaughter, Shaley Kay, was born in 1994. Helen's whole life took a new turn and she loved and thrived with being a Grandma. She was the Best!!

Helen and Ken took many wonderful family trips with their kids all over the US. In 1979, they took their trip of a lifetime to the Holy Land with some church friends. In 2005, Helen and Ken moved to Spearfish to the Hickory House retirement apartments. Because of failing health they moved to Burr's Tender Care in August of 2014. She received very good care and love there until she entered the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center in April 2015.

She is survived by her husband of almost 67 years, Ken of Spearfish; son, Monty of Lead; daughter and son-in-law Cindy and Les Lensegrav of Meadow; her favorite granddaughter, Shaley of Spearfish and Meadow; sisters, Hazel (Dan) Vrooman of Sioux Falls, Goldie (Floyd) Caldwell of Deadwood; sisters-in-law, Nancy Mileusnich of Hot Springs, Violet Zwickl and Shirley (Jim) McGilvrey of Spearfish; favorite cousin, Sylvia Sack of Spearfish; and many nieces, nephewsand cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Gus and Anna Westphal; brother, George Mileusnich; brother-in law, Eugene Westphal; and five sisters and brothers-in-law.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 PM on Friday May 1, 2015 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. A memorial has been established.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Service.