Helen T. Rittberger, 91, Hermosa, died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, December 30, 2009 in Denver, CO, while visiting family.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Monday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with the family present from 4 to 6 p.m.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2009 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Bill Savery officiating. Burial follows at the Highland Park Cemetery in Hermosa. Following burial a time of fellowship and food will be at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hermosa.

A memorial has been established in Helen's name and the funds will be distributed among Helen's favorite charities.

Helen was born October 28, 1918 near Quinn, SD, to John and Emma (Peterson) Guethlein. She graduated from Quinn High School in 1936 and from Spearfish Normal College in 1941.

Helen taught school at Clough, SD, and lived with Charlie and Bertha Hild. She met her husband, John, through his sister, Bertha Hild. John and Helen were married June 9, 1942.

They made their home on the ranch that was homesteaded by John's parents.

Helen was a founding member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hermosa, and a member of Battle River #142 Order of Eastern Star. Her interests were family, baking, gardening, traveling, participating in the Custer County Fair, and serving in the church.

Survivors include two daughters, Bonnie (Richard) Miller, Hermosa, Betty (Clark) Yost, Wilmore, KS; three sons, Fred (Mary), and Bob Rittberger, all of Hermosa, John (Linda) Rittberger, Fairburn, SD; two sisters, Maxine Smith, Owanka, SD, Frances Poste, Wall, SD; one brother, John Guethlein, North Platte, NE; also 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents, and two sisters, Marjorie Willuweit and Dorothy Burch.