Helen M. Bunney

July 28, 1920 - December 24, 2007

Helen M. Bunney age 87 of Belle Fourche, went to heaven to be home with her husband, and family on Monday December 24, 2007 at her home in Belle Fourche, surrounded by family.

The funeral service will be held 10:30am Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Gail Arnold officiating. Visitation will be held 4 to 7pm Friday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Interment will be held in Pine Slope Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Helen M. Beck was born July 28, 1920 in Decatur, Nebraska. She was the daughter of E. Dudley and Helen (Darling) Beck. Helen grew up in Decatur where she graduated from high school. After graduating from high school, Helen attended Black Hills Teacher’s College in Spearfish where she received her two year teaching certificate. Helen taught at a country school in the Nemo area. On January 26, 1942 she was married to Ernest E. Bunney Jr. in Newcastle Wyoming. He preceded her in death on January 6, 1986.

Following their marriage, Helen and Ernest lived on the ranch near Aladdin WY. Helen taught country school until May of 1944 when her first child, Barbara, was born. Helen and Ernest lived on the family ranch until the fall of 1963. Helen taught school at Owl Creek for 2 years, and then the Jefferson and South Park schools in Belle Fourche for 20 years. She retired in 1988. Helen earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Black Hills Teachers College on August 14, 1969.

Helen was a Past Matron and 60 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member of the Nile and Alpha Delta Kappa, of which she was a charter member since 1969. She also belonged to the Tizah Club and the local VFW.

Helen enjoyed reading and music very much and always was one to keep up with the current events in the world. She was proud of her home and family and loved her family very much. She will be greatly missed by all her family.

Helen is survived by her son, Jim (Beverly) Bunney of Belle Fourche; Daughters, Sue (Gary) Spiekermeier of Ortonville MN, Barbara (Bill) Willey of Winnemucca Nevada, Mary (Owen) McDermott of Henderson NV; 8 grandchildren, Josh, Jamie, Lisa, Rhonda, Kerri, Courtney, Edward, Kelli; 15 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernest in 1986; 3 brothers, Stub, Kenneth, and Charles Beck; and 1 sister, Beulah Barnum

Information taken from 50th class reunion booklet, May 1988

Helen (Beck) Bunney:

Belle Fourche, South Dakota. 

 After graduation I received a BS degree in Elem. Ed.  Married in 1942.  Children-Barbara Sue, Mary & Jim.  We have 9 grandchildren.  I taught school for 26 yrs.  Retired in 1985.  I am now involved in family, home, church, & fraternal organizations.