Mary Helen Hellekson, 94, of Rapid City, completed her final journey to Heaven on January 11, 2025, while surrounded by her children.  She was born on July 29, 1930 in Newell, South Dakota to Elizabeth and Arthur Eixenburger.  At the age of five, the family moved to Rapid City where she attended the Catholic school system and graduated in 1948 from Rapid City Cathedral High School.  She then pursued a nursing career with graduation in 1951 from St. John's McNamara School of Nursing.  Her brother, Bernard (Bud), introduced her to Dell Hellekson. They married June 2, 1951 and together shared 58 years of marriage until Dell's death.  Mary stayed active throughout her life through family activities and raising five children.  She was an active member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a member of the church Altar Society, the VFW Auxiliary, the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and the Knights of Columbus Ladies.

Mary will be remembered as someone always ready and willing to help others.  She was a great cook and was always prepared to provide baked goods wherever the need. Family dinners were feasts and her dishes and desserts were always emptied at the potlucks.  The rhubarb patch and extra garden vegetables found their way into many homes.  If friends needed help, she assisted them with rides to the grocery store, church or anything else that was needed. Even in her later years at Echo Ridge retirement center, she wanted to be of service and volunteered to fold laundry items.  Mary enjoyed the outdoors with family as well, with various camping, fishing, vacation and family reunion trips. Day trips and picnics to the Black Hills and Custer State Park were favorite pastimes.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Dell Hellekson, her parents, and brother Bernard Eixenburger, grandchild Brian Gross, son-in-law Gary Gross and son-in-law James Konechne.  She is survived by her children; Carolyn Gross of Rapid City, Doug (Sheila) Hellekson of Billings, MT, Audrey Konechne of Kimball, SD, Robert (Janet) Hellekson of Salt Lake City, UT, and Carl (Nancy) Hellekson of Rapid City.  She has 17 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.  She was truly the matriarch of the family with a strong German will and a quiet unselfish dedication to helping others.

We thank the staff and friends at Echo Ridge for their support and assistance to our mother. The candy dish was always a great conversation piece as well as the source of many treats.

Christian wake with Rosary 3:00pm Wednesday, January 15, 2025 with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00am Thursday, January 16 at the church, with interment at Pine Lawn Memorial Park on Tower Road.  Memorials can be made to Storybook Island or the Cathedral In Grace and Gratitude building fund.