Helen Shouldis

Helen Shouldis, age 94, of White River, died Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at the White River Health Care Center.

Helen Mae Hitchings was born on April 9 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska. She was the first daughter of Charles Orville and Ethel (Clary) Hitchings. She attended school in Omaha and moved with her parents and three younger sisters to the White River area at the age of 15.

In 1937 she was united in marriage to Jim Ed Shouldis. To this union were born five children, Annette Marie, Mary Jane, Charles Edward “Pete”, Larry Everett and Irvin Lee.

They made their home on a ranch north of Cedar Butte. All five children attended Running Bird School grades one through eight. 

Following the death of her husband Jim in 1959, she remained on the ranch for a number of years along with her children. She also traveled with her friends Marceen Golder and Kay Olson.

Helen worked at the White River Health Care Center as a Med Tech as well as many years for the South Dakota Social Services Department. She also worked for 18 years as the primary Jailer at the White River-Mellette County Jail. 

In October 1973 she married Gene C. Hutchinson and they made their home north of White River along the Little White River. Gene preceded her in death in December 2007, after which she spent winters with Annette in Hobart, Oklahoma and summers in South Dakota.

Survivors include two daughters, Annette Wisdom of Mesa Arizona, and Mary Jane (Kenneth) Lolley of White River; one son, Charles (Diane) Shouldis of Rapid City; one sister, Thelma Bechtold (Conrad) of Omaha Nebraska; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Preceding Helen in death were her parents; husbands Jim and Gene; two sisters Marge Auburn and Lola Bechtold; a step-brother Charles “Buster” Hitchings; and two sons, Larry Everette and Irvin Lee.

Visitation was held one hour preceding the services.

Funeral services were held Saturday, October 25, at the White River Community Events Center in White River. 

Interment was at the White River Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.