Helen Marie (Johnson) Dunbar was born July 14, 1918, to Clyde and Sylvia Johnson in the village of Big Falls, MN. Sometime later, the family moved to Bemidji, MN, where her father took on several business ventures trying to support a growing family. Helen graduated from the Bemidji school system.

The family then made a final move to McArthur, CA, to start a gas station-bar business. Helen eventually left Minneapolis, MN, to be with her sister, Marian. She then met Jack Dunbar and they were married in 1938 in Minnesota. Jack was a Gray Hound bus driver which led to several moves during which time Helen took on sales clerking jobs, mainly for J C Penny's.

Retirement brought them back to McArthur, CA, until Jack's death in 2003. Helen sold their property in 2005 and because of poor health, her niece, Helen Yantes, brought her to Sturgis, SD, in 2007. Recovering (Helen) was able to be in her own apartment and maintain her independence until her death September 7, 2017, at Deadwood Regional Hospital.

Helen is survived by her sister, Therese Johnsen of Redding, CA; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Dunbar; her parents; and six siblings.

Helen's legacy is she never met anyone she didn't like and everyone liked her sweet and fun personality. Anyone who knew Helen knew she was a regular at Mineral Palace Gaming, where she was treated like family. They all watched over her and she felt like it was home away from home.

Rest in peace dear soul-You will be missed.

Memorial services will be held Friday, September 15, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Father Timothy Castor officiating. Inurnment will be in Minnesota at a later date.

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