Obituary: Helen Ufen

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 2:00 PM (Central).

New Beginnings Worship Center
Miller, South Dakota

Visitation

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Print Obituary

In memory of

Helen Ufen

of Philip, formerly of Miller, South Dakota, died on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the Philip Nursing Home at the age of 103

Helen Floy Ades Ufen was born at home, delivered by her father, on April 9, 1918, in Boone, Iowa, one of seven children born to Ethan and Rosina (Behrens) Ades. The family moved to an acreage when she turned nine. She learned how to swim in junior high, which she really enjoyed. She was happy to trade in her dresses for a pair of her brother’s overalls anytime.

Helen graduated from Boone High School in 1936 during the depression. One of her jobs included staying with a family and doing the cooking, cleaning, and stoking the furnace for $4 a week. She had been thinking about going to a church college, which at the time, was one of the few she could attend and then pay back tuition after she got a teaching job. And that is just what she did! In 1939, after one year of college, she received her teacher’s certificate and started her teaching career at Golden Shield School south of Miller.

It was during her second year of teaching that she met Julius Ufen. They got married the day after school was out on May 17, 1941, at Shakespeare Garden in Wessington Springs. They raised three daughters on the farm, where they grew alfalfa, prairie hay, corn, and oats to feed their cattle, sheep, and chickens. After they sold the farm in 1966 and moved into town, they did extensive travelling. In 1971, they took a big trip to Alaska, driving the Alaskan Highway. In 1972, they started going to Arizona for the winter months. Helen has been a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, so they attended the Cubs spring training games in Mesa.

Her husband Julius preceded her in death on October 6, 1984, after nearly 43 years of marriage. Helen later moved into an apartment in Miller, and her sister lived upstairs. In 2010 she moved into the Philip Nursing Home where she has since resided.

Helen enjoyed reading, putting jig-saw puzzles together, and watching baseball games whenever she could. She was also a woman of strong faith throughout her life.

Survivors include three daughters Rose Niederauer and her husband George of Durango, Colorado, Julie Kemnitz and her husband Chip of Philip, and Joyce Wheelhouse and her husband Richard of Sacramento, California; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband Julius, Helen was preceded in death by two brothers Lloyd and Donald Ades; and four sisters Pearl McCambridge, Della Holcomb, Geraldine Pierson, and Lois Droppers.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. CST Saturday, June 5, at New Beginnings Worship Center in Miller.

Interment will follow at the GAR Cemetery in Miller.

Cards and memorials can be send to:
Julie Kemnitz
P.O. Box 245
Philip, SD 57567

Open the Memorial Folder

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, June 5, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. CDT
New Beginnings Worship Center
Miller, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Jesse Hammer

MUSIC
Darlene Hammer - Pianist

PALLBEARERS
All of Helen's Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren,
and Great-Great-Granddaughter
who are present and in spirit

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
GAR Cemetery
Miller, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Julie and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. May the many memories bring you comfort. ~ Karen Hanson Rapid City SD (6/5/2021)
Julie and family, my sympathy at the loss of your mother. What an example she was with her spirit and smile. I loved walking in the nursing home room to say hello. She will be missed. Blessings to all of you. ~ Kay Foland Rapid City (6/4/2021)
SD ~ Esther Oldenberg Philip (6/2/2021)
Was saddened to hear about your mother's death and then I thought about the wonderful home she is now in and how wonderful is that! She was a very sweet nice lady
I enjoyed visiting with her when she would come to the bank years back. What a patient person. She was a joy to meet. God bless all of you. ~ Shirley Dennis Philip. SD (6/2/2021)
We are so sorry to hear about Aunt Helen. Emma and I are praying for peace and comfort for you all. Love and hugs. ~ Marshall and Emma Dearing Huntsville, Alabama (6/2/2021)
So sorry your loss. I do know she is with the Lord and no pain ! ~ Georgia Moos (5/31/2021)
Were so sorry to hear of your Mom passing, love to all of you ~ Susan & Randy Murra Buckley, Wa (5/31/2021)
Julie, Our sincere condolences for your loss. Helen lived a long and full life and I am sure she was ready to meet her Lord. ~ Boyd Waara Philip, SD (5/31/2021)
So sorry for your loss families I e know all my life. Your Mom was the sweetest, loving lady and best to visit as was always such a pleasure to visit. Hugs and prayers to all of you ~ Dolores and Lisa Fort Atkinson WI (5/31/2021)
Julie and family - sorry to hear of your mother's passing. May God bless you and wrap His arms around you during this difficult time. Vicki ~ Vicki Neiderworder Presho, SD (5/30/2021)