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Helen Marie Callan, 93, of rural Hermosa, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at Fall River Hospital in Hot Springs.

She was born April 27, 1923, in a sawmill camp near Mayo, South Dakota to Lawrence and Anna (Larson) Ventling.  She married Thomas H. Callan on August 31, 1945.  Helen was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and was very proud of and loyal to her family.

Surviving are her son, Thomas (Nancy) Callan, her daughter, Chris (Dale) Molitor, four grandchildren, David (Tammy) and Scott Callan, Mike (Heidi) Molitor and Mikenzi (Josh) Petersen, six great grandchildren, Zoe, Zac, and Eli Callan, Camden and Kendyl Petersen, and Mathis Molitor; one brother, Lawrence Ventling, and good friend, Larry Church.  Helen loved people and was a good friend and neighbor.  She leaves behind many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tom and two sisters, Florence Ventling and Phyllis (Ventling) Ramsey.

Helen graduated from Custer High School and Black Hills State College and was homecoming queen at both.  Her life was anything but boring.  She soloed in an open cockpit airplane during her college years and won a dance contest at one of Lawrence Welk's traveling shows.  She taught elementary school in Elsinore, California, before returning with her husband to ranch near Hermosa in 1949.  She loved the ranch and continued to manage it for many years after her husband's death and lived there until moving to Seven Sisters Living Center in Hot Springs. Her family wishes to thank the staff at Seven Sisters and Fall River Hospital for the excellent care she received there.

Helen was a member of the Hermosa United Church of Christ and a member of the Battle River Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star for over 60 years.

Funeral services will be held at the Hermosa United Church of Christ on Sunday, January 15 at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Diane Janssen Hemmen officiating.  There will be no visitation but a reception will be held at the church following the service.  Cremation rites have been accorded with burial to be at a later date.

Memorials can be made in her name to the Hermosa Volunteer Fire Department or to the Hermosa United Church of Christ.