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Submitted: 3/28/22 • Approved: 3/28/22 • Last Updated: 3/31/22 • R273960-G273960-S3
Diane Claire Helberg
December 6, 1940 - August 15, 2021
Diane Helberg, 80, passed away peacefully at Dougherty House Hospice on Sunday, August 15, 2021.
Diane was born in Sioux Falls, SD and attended multiple grade schools prior to her parents settling down in Humboldt, SD where she completed high school participating in band and the yearbook. She furthered her education at Nettleton College with an emphasis in bookkeeping. Over her lifetime, Diane worked part-time for a funeral supply company and later for an investment firm in the Minneapolis area. In her spare time, she spent numerous hours volunteering at McKennan Hospital in the gift shop. Both Diane and her husband spent time in Sioux Falls, SD, and Zumbrota, MN providing care and support with local hospice organizations. Diane’s hobbies included crocheting, knitting and quilting. She made many beautiful creations including blankets, doilies and baby booties. Great care and daily support was given to her three grandchildren while living adjacent to them near Mazeppa, MN.
Church was an integral part of her life. In fact, Diane’s parents (Clifford and Delores Wiese) were founding members of St. John Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Diane herself was the first baby baptized in the newly formed church. She devoted hours of time and labor for multiple guilds and service committees for the church. Diane participated in activities such as maintaining the alter, preparing food for funerals and decorating for religious holidays and services. She also played bells when possible. She received much comfort from the comradery and fellowship from this community.
At age 8, Diane was stricken with bulbar polio (respiratory). She was cared for at Sioux Valley Hospital during the epidemic and survived as a result of the care and diligence of her parents at bedside due to their continual suctioning. Her entire adult life was impacted by the effects of post-polio syndrome. Later in life, she was evaluated and treated through the Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Despite eventually needing a tracheostomy and feeding tube, Diane took these changes with pride and dignity and moved on living life to the fullest. As a result of the ravages of post-polio syndrome, Diane made the decision to transition to hospice care, and did so with grace and peace.
Diane is lovingly remembered by her husband David, her daughter Cari Helberg (Kelly Heligas), son Scott Helberg, MD (Joel Gingrich), her grandchildren Amanda Garcia (Alex), Daniel Korstad (Kacie), Sterling Korstad (Kjerstin), great-grandchildren Alexander Garcia, Aubrey Garcia and Adalyn Korstad. She was preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Deloris Wiese.
The family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Heritage Funeral Home. Funeral services for Diane will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 19, 2021, at St. John American Lutheran Church, 1912 W 13th St, Sioux Falls, SD. Private family burial will take place prior to the service at Woodlawn Cemetery. Diane's family would like to extend an invitation to their guests to join them for a time of food and fellowship following her funeral.
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Section Holly plot #627
Contributed on 3/28/22 by 9katz
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Record #: 273960