Helen Dailey, age 95, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Avera Flandreau Hospital.

Helen was born in New York City, NY, February 20, 1923 to Frank and Antonie (Svec) Zitek. She graduated from Julia Richman High School in June of 1940. Helen worked at a hat factory (which she hated) and Brewster’s Aeronautical Corp in Long Island City, NY. She then followed in her two brothers footsteps and joined the United States Navy in May of 1944. Helen met Kenny at the Naval Air Technology Training Center in Norman, OK, where they were both stationed. They were married in the naval chapel in Norman on September 14, 1945. Following their discharge from the Navy, Kenny brought Helen home to South Dakota where she got her first real look at a working farm. Helen embraced the life of a farmer’s wife and was soon driving tractors and having babies. After all the kids were in school, Helen began her long career as a bookkeeper. Her first job was at Feckers Hatchery in Pipestone and then she worked for 28 years at Duncan Elevator & Trucking Services. She retired at the age of 74. Following Kenny’s death in 2000, Helen remained on the family farm and enjoyed many more years of gardening and bird watching. Helen took great pride and joy in her home and knew many people enjoyed driving by the Dailey Farm to see the lush lawn, unique flowers and plants. In November of 2015, Helen moved to Flandreau and joined the community of Edgewood Vista. Although first reluctant, she quickly became a favorite with her Bohemian sense of humor, and her ability to make everyone around her feel just a little better. Helen was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Altar Society, Catholic Daughters and Kelley-Porter Post 70 of the American Legion.

Helen is survived by her sons: Will, Flandreau; Dean (Marci), Pipestone, MN; Kevin, Brandon; Frank (Lori), Blaine, MN; Tobin (Tina), Flandreau; and Brian, Pipestone, MN; her daughter: Colleen Dailey Kuechle, Crystal, MN; her daughter-in-law: Sharon Wilts Dailey, Flandreau; 21 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren and many cherished friends including the entire Edgewood Vista staff and residents. Helen was preceded in death by her husband Kenny, beloved son Steve PV Dailey, parents, two brothers, one sister and many family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held March 12, 2018 at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Flandreau, with burial in the church cemetery.

www.skrochfc.com