Helen Schneiderhan, 90, of Fort Pierre, formerly of Howard, SD, died on Wednesday, October 23 at her home in Fort Pierre. A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm, Wednesday, November 6 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Pierre. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Texas.
Helen Marie (Peschong) Schneiderhan passed away peacefully at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Ft. Pierre, SD, on October 23, 2013 at the age of 90. She was born on February 1, 1923, to John Ferdinand (Fritz) Peschong and Thresia Mary (Miller) Peschong in Howard, SD.
After completing nurse's training at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls Helen married William Joseph Schneiderhan on March 6, 1945. In the early days of their marriage she worked as a nurse, but her family soon became her career and she spent her life caring for and raising her six children as the family followed her husband Bill through his career as an officer in the United States Air Force. They travelled extensively throughout the US and Helen very capably settled her family in each new duty station. She made homes in MN, AZ, CA, NE, Guam, LA, KS, NH, MA, AL, AK, and TX, while supporting Bill's career as a USAF pilot. She was the guiding force of the family as she handled every detail from sick children to home maintenance while her husband was away serving their country. Helen was always a nurse at heart and could be counted on for a "matter of fact" attitude in any crisis. She had a great sense of humor and was gifted in the art of entertaining, always making friends and strangers alike feel comfortable in her home. She was by necessity a wonderful cook, and also a great listener and a trusted advisor. Helen will be greatly missed by her children and all of their friends who felt like part of the family because of the welcome they received.
She is survived by her son Daniel (Carol) Schneiderhan of Ft. Pierre, daughter Susan (Larry) Helwig of Hazelton, PA, daughter Jayne Schneiderhan of Kaufman, TX, daughter Mary (Alan) Bradshaw of Chandler, AZ, brothers James C. (Barbara) Peschong of Brandon, SD, Alen P. (Mary) Peschong of Lakewood, CO, sisters Rita A. Mills of Huron, SD, and Carol Rockwell of Minneapolis, MN. Helen is also survived by eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
We take comfort in knowing that our Mother is greeted in Heaven by her husband Bill, daughter Ann Louise, and sons William George and Robert Thomas, as well as her parents, brothers Richard J. Peschong, Thomas H. Peschong, Leon J. Peschong, and sister Donna J. Robbins.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Mary's Hospice in Pierre, SD, We are forever grateful for the respect, loving care and support Hospice showed Helen during the last few months of her life.