Helen Ruth Ellefson, 90, died Sunday, November 28, 2021 at Bethesda of Beresford.  Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, November 30 at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.  Burial will take place at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, December 1 at Nazareth Cemetery, north of Beresford.  A memorial service will follow burial at 3:00 PM on Wednesday December 1 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD.  Memorials may be directed to Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Helen was born January 24, 1931 to Victor and Ethel Ruth (Swanson) Jensen.  She grew up in the Beresford area where she graduated from high school.  She attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota then Augustana College in Sioux Falls.  She married Arvin "Al" on July 2, 1952 and they were blessed with two children, Jacklyn and Douglas.

Helen enjoyed her time at home raising her children.  She also worked at Luther Manor and Valet Cleaners in Sioux Falls.  She was active at Our Saviors Lutheran Church where she participated in Ladies Circle.  She was a member of Daughters of the Nile.  And she enjoyed her group of friends, Chat and Chew, who would get together for girl's time to play cards and have dinner.  Mavis Jenkins is the remaining member of the group.

Helen shared her love of music by singing in the choir and playing the piano and organ.  She was a talented seamstress and she spent her time reading, watching tv, gardening, completing Sudoku and playing cards.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Jacklyn (Dennis) Nothdurft, Sioux Falls, SD; her grandson, James (Christie) Nothdurft and their son, Zaiden; her granddaughter Carly (Matt) Heard and their children, Eve and Jonas; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arvin, her son, Douglas Ellefson; her grandson, Gregg Nothdurft; her parents, Victor and Ethel Jensen; and her brother and his wife, Lyle (Mary Lou) Jensen.