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In memory of

Helen Obr

of Belvidere, South Dakota, died on Monday, November 5, 2007 at the Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls at the age of 88

Helen Obr was born March 23, 1919, in Belvidere, South Dakota, the daughter of Frank and Antonie (Pesicka) Obr. She grew up in the Belvidere area where she graduated from Belvidere High School in 1937. She attended college in Springfield and then taught in rural schools near Tyndall and Belvidere. Later she attended Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell and taught in Hot Springs. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree she taught in the Sioux Falls Public School System until retiring in 1984. She continued to make her home in Sioux Falls.

Helen was a 50 year-plus member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls, and a former member of the Belvidere Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the South Dakota Retired Teacher’s Association, the Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers’ Society, and the United Presbyterian Women.

Grateful for having shared her life include two sister-in-laws Dolores Obr of Belvidere, and Darlene Obr of Mobridge; nine nieces and nephews Keitha Neuharth and her husband Larry, Marjorie Street and her husband Marv, Elaine Fuhrmann and her husband Jim, Crystal Paulson, Carla Vaivoda and her husband Jack, Bill Obr and his wife Debbie, Gary Obr and his wife April, Warren Obr and his wife Robin, and Clark Obr and his wife Judy; twenty great-nieces and nephews; and several great-great- nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers Joseph, William, and Adolph Obr.

Visitation will be held two hours preceding the services at the church.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 8, at the Belvidere Community Church in Belvidere, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment was in the Belvidere Cemetery.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
Written tributes may be made at www.rushfuneralhome.com

FUNERAL SERVICES:Thursday, November 8, 2007 – 2:00 p.m., Belvidere Community Church, Belvidere, South Dakota
CLERGY: Pastor Gary McCubbin
MUSIC: Marjorie Street – Organist, Syd Iwan – Pianist: Congregational Hymns "On Eagle’s Wings", "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art", "Just A Closer Walk With Thee"
USHER:Tom DeVries
PALLBEARERS:Bill Obr – Gary Obr ,Jim Fuhrmann – Larry Neuharth,Dan Jurgens – Lance Fuhrmann
HONORARY PALLBEARERS All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT: Belvidere Cemetery, Belvidere, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICES:Thursday, November 8, 2007 – 2:00 p.m., Belvidere Community Church, Belvidere, South Dakota 
INTERMENT: Belvidere Cemetery, Belvidere, South Dakota

  • I had Miss Obr in third grade at Longfellow in 1963. She was one of my most favorite teachers ever! My deepest sympathy to her family. ~ Mary Bonacker Wiese Conway, Arkansas (1/17/2016)
  • Helen was a lovely lady. Soft spoken, she was. She was beautiful in body and spirit. ~ Linda Klima Smith Philip, SD (11/5/2007)
  • Sincere sympathy in the loss of Helen, your family is in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Joe and Betty Lou Stratton P O Box 265, Kadoka, SD 57543 (11/5/2007)
  • I am the great grandson of Thomas Pesicka.My mother Lillian (Pesicka) Fuchs and dad were from Lake Andes. We stayed over at the Antonia Obr residence a couple of times visiting before we went rock hunting in the Badlands. My mother and I keep a family history. My mother passed away the end of August in Mitchell. My mother was always so proud of her Czech heritage. I remember visiting Helen's mother and seeing the family features facially. My sincere sympathies to family for a woman whose life was spent well here on the Dakotas prairie. ~ Ronald Fuchs 1500 N.Kimball St #301 Mitchell, SD 57301 (11/5/2007)
  • My how the years pass-
    I had Ms. Obr as an elementary teacher many years ago. I think 3rd grade. I am now 66 years old     ~ Chuck Tufty 313 1st Ave East , Flandreau, SD kctufty@iw.net (11/5/2007)
  • Sorry to hear about Aunt Helen. Its been many years since we've seen her. Helen was a sweet and kind lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Pat, Ione, & Judy ~ Judy Rada Pierre, SD (11/5/2007)
  • My dad was Edward Obr and was a first cousin to Helen. we lived by Avon S.D. and moved to Sioux Falls in 1947. I went to Longfellow School where Helen taught for many many years. My mother Olga went to First Presbyterian Church with Helen for 50 years. They were very close and talked on the phone often. My folks and I visited Helens dad in Belvidere when I was still in school. My parents and I talked Czech when we lived on the farm. I went to visit Helen at the nursing home this summer. She was such a nice person and had so many friends. ~ Norm & Diane Obr 6016 S. McKenzie Pl., Sioux Falls, SD, 57106 (11/5/2007)
  • I taught school in Sioux Falls at the same time as Helen. Helen rode with me and another teacher for a Thanksgiving trip home. Her stop was Belvidere. I remember having a good time and have fond memories of Helen. ~ Karen Becket 1411 Flormann St., Rapid City (11/5/2007)
  • I am a local Yoga instructor and a few years ago I was invited to teach Yoga at Waterford at All Saints. Helen lived there at that time and she came to Yoga classes faithfully. The beauty of Yoga is that if you can breathe you can do yoga! We sat in chairs (Helen in her wheel chair) and moved our arms and hands, legs and feet and did neck and shoulder exercises. We also laughed a great deal and established a great community of support. I always looked forward to seeing Helen as she was so kind and a gentle lady. My life is richer for having known her. My sympathy to you, her family. ~ Tam Baker 1713 S Williams; Sioux Falls, SD; 57105 (11/5/2007)
  • Thank you for always keeping me informed about Helen. May the Lord comfort you all , knowing that Helen is at peace now. A lot of memories of visiting Belvidere with Aunt Tonie( my birthday twin) & Uncle Frank, with Helen being there to. Our Obr family is dwindling, but the Czech heritage will stay with us forever. ~ Joy ( Obr) Langley Wolff Yakima, WA (11/5/2007)
  • Dear Obr Family: I am so sorry for your loss of a loved family member. I remember Helen being in Belvidere Church on all her holiday trips (and others, I'm sure) home. I thought she was beautiful, and she was so serene and quiet-spoken. May God be espeically close to you at this time, even though this note is late getting to you. In Christ, Beryl (Addison) Geer ~ Beryl (Addison) Geer PO Box 2018, Gillette, WY 82717-2018 (11/5/2007)