RAPID CITY | Esther Jane (Helmer) Russell passed away in Rapid City on Thursday, October 4, 2018. She was 90 years old.

Oh, how she was loved. She was kind, intelligent, and sincere. She lived with a quiet determination based on her faith and belief in people. For her family, she was everyone's everything. To be loved by her meant that you always had an unshakeable, unconditional strength in your corner. How do you honor someone who was so many things to so many people? We honor her by celebrating everything she was to us. We do this by enjoying the flowers that she loved, the birds she adored, and the pines that she admired. We feel it in the warmth of the sun through her stained glass windows and the peaceful home she created.

She was born on March 28, 1928 in Aladdin, WY to George and Josephine (Tveidt) Helmer. Her early days meant working hard on the family farm and making pets out of the farm animals. After graduating from high school in Belle Fourche in 1945, she started working at the Department of Social Services. With her first paycheck, she purchased her first piece of furniture – a cedar hope chest that moved with her for more than 70 years. In it she kept the original receipt, a reminder of her beginnings, and several photos, a reminder of her journey.

Her greatest adventure was building a life with a handsome Air Force Sergeant. In 1957, they married at the Air Force Academy Chapel in Colorado. Their travels would take them to Florida, Texas, and California before returning to the Black Hills in 1968. The family they raised here were her greatest joy. She retired from the Department of Social Services in Rapid City in 1993 after 35 years of service. She really disliked snakes! However, she loved nice cars, shows at the Black Hills Playhouse, and her grandchildren's concerts and sporting events. Her children were taught to appreciate beautiful things and to value the meaning of home. Her four grandkids knew that she would never fail to serve Jell-O salad and homemade bread at family events and that she absolutely supported their talents and their dreams.

Esther was preceded by her husband of 60 years, Donald (Russ) Russell, and her brothers George (Sonny) and Louis Helmer. She is survived by her daughter Susan Schlottman, son-in-law Neal of Rapid City and their children, Andrew (son Logan) of Rapid City, Joel (wife Bailey) of Anoka, MN, and Kara of Britton, SD; her son Robert Russell, daughter-in-law Lea Anne and their daughter, Kallie, of Elizabeth, CO, her beloved sister Nellie Barbour of Belle Fourche and sister-in-law's June and Rita of Arizona. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who she was very proud of.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, October 10 at 11:00 AM at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. Fellowship and lunch will follow the service at the church. Esther will be interred at the Black Hills National Cemetery in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Canyon Lake United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank Dr. Diamond, Cindy Stocks, PA, the staffs at Peaceful Pines Senior Living and Clarkson Health Care for their love and care.