Obit of Helen (Brammer) Pederson

This is a late find:
From a Timberlake, S.D. newspaper

Funeral services for Helen Pederson, 96, of Firesteel were held Friday, November 28, 2014 at the United Parish Church in Timber Lake. Her grandson, Pastor Bart Pederson, officiated. Eulogies were given by Jack Bickel and Ken Ripley. Burial was at Timber Lake Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Helen passed away on November 23, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Center in Selby. Helen May Brammer was born on March 29, 1918 in Chatsworth, IL to Elmer and Nancy Brammer. Like many families in the 1920s, the Brammers migrated west, settling near Dupree. Helen attended grade school and high school in Dupree. She graduated as valedictorian of her class and then went on to attend Northern Normal School in Aberdeen. After receiving her teacher’s certificate, Helen returned to Ziebach County where she taught in country schools. In 1941 she taught grades 1-4 at Firesteel and met the love of her life, Ralph Pederson. In 1942 she became Ziebach County School Superintendent. On October 16, 1943 Helen and Ralph were married. Together they raised their sons Gary and Ron on the Broken Heart Ranch north of Firesteel. They recently celebrated 71 years of marriage together. Helen enjoyed and was very active in ranching activities. She resided at her beloved Broken Heart Ranch until pril of 2012 when she moved to the Good Samaritan Center in Selby, . Being an active ranch wife Helen was always willing to ride her favorite horse and assist during the roundup. When working cattle she always insisted on bringing the cows or calves down the alley, even at the age of 80. It scared the others but they couldn’t keep her out of the alley. Another of Helen’s favorite activities was driving the truck during silage harvest. It wouldn’t matter if the field was a half mile from home or three miles she would be there waiting for the next load. It was her innovative idea to start using Red Angus genetics and thus was the start of Broken Heart Ranch Red Angus. In 1999 Ralph and Helen were honored with the Pioneer Breeder Award by the Red Angus Association of America. Helen’s true passion was raising and racing horses. Her home is filled with racing awards reflecting the 50- plus years of successfully doing what she loved. In her spare time she was an avid stamp and coin collector. When Helen wasn’t working on the ranch she was a faithful member of the Prairie Parish Church and active in the Sew Willing Extension Club, Ladies Aid and Timber Lake Saddle Club. One of her favorite organizations was the Timber Lake & Area Historical Society and Museum. s president, Helen led the effort of nominating The Chapel of the Holy Spirit, often called the “Old Stone Church,” to the National Register of Historic Places. She was instrumental in getting new windows, roof and tuck pointing done on the church. Helen is survived by her husband Ralph Pederson; sons Gary (Sue) of Firesteel and Ron of Rapid City; four grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren— Bart(Carol) Pederson and children Logan, Blake, Jessica and Kylie of Knoxville, TN; Bret (Cindy) Pederson and children Graylin, Jayden, Code, Jessup and Jessa of Glad Valley; Kimberly (Cliff ) Olson and sons Austin and Wyatt of White River; and Chad (Lisa) Pederson and daughter Bricelyn of Firesteel; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and four brothers.