Helen Parsons

Helen T. Elshere was born April 29, 1903 in Hardingrove, South Dakota, the daughter of Lemuel and Jessie (McCracken) Elshere. She grew up on her parents homestead in the Hardingrove community and attended rural school in that area. She then attended Northern Normal in Aberdeen, and later finished her education at Spearfish Normal. She taught rural school in the Philip area for four and one half years.

She was united in marriage to William Parsons, Jr. on September 13, 1926 in Rapid City, South Dakota. The made their home on a farm/ranch in the Milesville area. She enjoyed being a farmers wife, which she recalls a "good life" Raising their children in the country, attending rural school, and being home for their meals.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband on August 11, 1950. She remained on the farm-ranch for seven years prior to moving into Philip in 1957.

While in Philip, Helen worked two years for the County Superintendent's Office. She enjoyed traveling, visiting the Holy Land, British Isles, and Alaska, and most of the states.

She sold her home in Philip in 1984 and moved to Sun City, Arizona where she resided until 1994 when she moved back to South Dakota where she made her home with her children.

Grateful for having shared her life are four sons, Dean Parsons and his wife Blanche of Wall,South Dakota, Boyd Parsons, Sr. and his wife Joanne of Rapid City, South Dakota; Barton Parsons and his wife Janice of Milesville, and Billie Parsons and his wife Connie of Milesville, South Dakota; three daughters, Doris Berry and her husband Kenneth of Milesville, South Dakota, Mary Slovek of Philip, and Leah Waddell and her husband James of Huron, South Dakota; one sister, Vera Heard of St. Louis, Missouri; twenty-eight grandchildren, sixty great-grandchildren, and eleven great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Helen was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Clifford, Paul, Donald, and Dean Elshere; three sisters, Mildred Hampton, Irene Steuerwald, and Leah Higbee.

Funeral services for Helen T. Parsons, age 98, of Philip, formerly of Milesville, South Dakota, was held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 10, 2001 at the Evangelical Free Church in Philip, with Pastor Gary Wahl officiating.

Visitation was held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2001 at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip and one hour preceding the services at the church.

Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

A memorial is established.

CLERGY
Pastor Gary Wahl

MUSIC
Judy Elshere – Organist
Glenn Parsons – Vocalist

USHERS
David Berry - Michael Parsons

PALLBEARERS
Paul Slovek - Bryce Weddell
Robert Berry - Earl Parsons
Boyd Parsons, Jr.- Byron Parsons

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Service Details

Funeral Services
2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 10, 2001
Evangelical Free Church in Philip

Guest Book