Helen Jane VanWalleghen, 94, of Brookings, formerly of Mitchell, died Friday, November 28th, 2008 at Brookview Manor in Brookings, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday December 3, 2008 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM

She was born December 8, 1913 in McMinnville Tennessee, the daughter of Irvin & Mary (Butcher) McGee.  She moved to Letcher SD, in 1920's where she attended a country school then Letcher public School.  She was united in marriage to Felix  VanWalleghen on August 16, 1933 in Letcher where they lived on their farm.  In 1961 they moved to Mitchell, SD where she worked at St. Joseph Hospital.  In 1976, after 23 years Helen retired as a nursing aid from St. Joseph Hospital, in Mitchell, SD.  In 2003 Helen moved to the Brookview Manor in Brookings, SD.

Helen enjoyed crafts, playing cards, bingo and spending time with her family.

She was survived by one daughter Barbara (Larry) Newell of Ardmore, Ok; four sisters; Wilma Aulner of Mitchell, SD, Hazel Brinkman of Blair, Neb, Joyce (Don) Luca of Relience, SD, and Deloris (Bill) Bunde of Lyon, SD; one brother; Willard McGee of Sioux Falls, SD; Eleven grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Felix, daughter Elaine, son-in-law Ronald, father Irvin, mother Mary, three brothers Jake, Elbert, & Jodie, grandson Danny.