Helen Virginia Burton was born October 24, 1911, in Lewistown, Montana, the daughter of Charles and Alcena (Judson) Burton.

She spent her younger years with her parents and siblings as they worked to homestead near Cooper, South Dakota.  Her schooling was attending country schools until she stopped in the 11th grade to help out on the ranch with her parents.

She was united in marriage to Arthur V. Sinkey on September 15, 1928, at Deadwood.

They made their home on a ranch south of Lantry, South Dakota for several years.  They also lived in various places in Western South Dakota before moving to Upton, Wyoming, in 1949.  In 1979, they moved to Midland.

After her husband, Arthur's death on May 15, 1987, she continued to live in Midland until 1991, when she returned to Upton.  In 1992, she moved into the Kelly House in Pierre.  In 1997, because of health reasons, she moved to the Crook County Memorial Nursing Home in Sundance, Wyoming.

Helen was a willing helpmate, a partner in their life together, doing whatever was needed.  She loved to garden and raised large gardens and canned everything that was useful to help provide for her family's needs.  She also liked to sew and learned to crochet and knit, and did so up until the end of the 1980s when her eyesight began to fail her.

Everyone who knew her, marveled at how she could take a barren plot of land or flower bed and makes flowers grow.  She had a great "green thumb", which was most envied.  At the nursing home where she lived, she was loved by all for her sunny disposition, a smile for everyone.  Their gauge for how well she was feeling was her constant "whistling", indicating to them she was having a "very good day".

Helen was a former member of the Open Bible Church in Midland and the Midland Senior Citizens.

Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Charles A. "Chuck" Sinkey and his wife, Betty, of Pierre; two daughters, Ann Mettler of Upton, Wyoming, and Neomia Locke and her husband, Dick, of Upton; 18 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Arthur V. Sinkey, she was preceded in death by a son, Leo R. Sinkey; a son-in-law, Lewis Mettler; her parents; two sisters, Ann and Marilyn; and three brothers, Russell, Dwight and DuWayne.

A memorial is established.

Graveside Services
Thursday, September 21, 2000
4:00 p.m.
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

Officiating
Pastor Dan Carlson

Pallbearers
Grandchildren

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota