Helen Marie Ryken

Helen Ryken, age 91, of Gayville, SD passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, August 03, 2016 surrounded by her family.

Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in care of the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD.

Helen was born on June 27th, 1925 to Martin and Hannah Peterson. She attended Gayville School for 12 years. After graduation, she went to California to work in a defense plant and after returning home, worked at Iowa Public Services.

She married Derald Ryken on January 16th, 1949. To this union, 4 sons were born. Gary, James, Ronald, and Brian. Helen and Derald lived happily on the family farm south of Gayville for 41 years. After retiring, they built a house in Gayville, and spent the rest of their lives there.

Helen was a huge supporter of the community in every way. She was a member of the Gayville Lutheran Church in which she was very active in WELCA and served on numerous committees. She volunteered at the school whenever she could and especially loved the ‘senior buddy’ program. She was a face well known at every sports event you can name! She was not known to miss many football, basketball, and volleyball games, along with musicals, plays, and dance recitals………especially if her grandchildren were involved. She was even awarded the Booster of the Year in 1990. She loved playing cards, especially pinochle and Hand & Foot with friends. She enjoyed caring for her yard and flowers, mowing on her John Deere mower well into her 80’s. Helen, riding her bike down to get her mail, was just a part of Gayville.

Family was what she lived for. Her sons and grandchildren meant the world to her. She was always ready to play a game with her grandkids and it was very common to find her in the kitchen making a batch of ‘something’ with one of them. Family gatherings were something that she never missed and if she wasn’t the host, you can bet she helped with the planning!

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Derald; her son, Ron; her parents; in-laws; 6 brothers and 3 sisters.

She is survived by sons, Gary (Gloria) of Lincoln, NE, James (Margo) and Brian (Laura) both of Gayville, SD; 6 grandchildren: Matt (Trisha), Camille (Brian) Jensen, Amber Russell, Ryan, Alex, and Vanessa; 7 great-grandchildren: Brittany, Addison, Kincaid, Connor, Brendan, Aidan, and Quentin; 2 great-great-grandchildren, Keegan and Harper; and several nieces and nephews.

She was loved much and will be missed by many. The lessons we learned and memories we made with her we will forever hold dear in our hearts.