Helen J Olson, daughter of Edward and Anna (Larson) Olson, was born September 14, 1905 in Thunderhawk, North Dakota. She came to South Dakota with her family as a child and grew up in the Unityville area. On June 20, 1935 she married Ray Sandine at her parents farm.
Ray and Helen farmed near Unityville nearly their entire married lives. She was always along with Ray and helped out when needed. Helen was a long time member of the Salem Lutheran Church at Center and was active in the LCW and the Willing Works. For many years she belonged to the Unityville Extension Club and the Salem Senior Citizens.
In their younger days, Ray and Helen enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with their neighbors, attending Farmers Union Meetings, Med-Summer Picnics, and softball games. They rarely missed any of their grandchildren’s school activities.
Ray died in 1993 and Helen died on Friday Feb 8, 2002 at the Beverly Healthcare Center, Salem. She had reached the age of 96 years, 4 months and 24 days.
Survivors include: three sons, Ron and wife Gloria of Salem, Dale and wife Linette of Sioux Falls, and Gene of Salem; six grandchildren, and three step great granddaughters. She was also the godmother of Verla Thompson, Ardessa Ibrahim and Karla Bently. She was proceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two brothers.