Anna M. Helfrich, 85, Dickinson, went to her final resting place on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson, surrounded by her family. Anna’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2012, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Todd Kreitinger as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service. There will be a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.
Anna Marie Anton was born Feb 17, 1927 in Lefor, to Christ Anton and Katherine (Blasy) Anton. She attended Aurora School in Lefor, and later helped teach school there as well.
Anna married Edward Heck in 1949 and four children were born Verlene (Dave) Goodrich, Carlin, Nev.; Darold (Carol) Heck, Billings, Mont.; Marvin (Cindy) Heck, Washington; DeVerne Michlitsch, Bismarck.
She married George Bren in 1959 and three children Allan (Danelle) Bren, Dickinson; Duane (Jan Holz) Bren, Mandan; Sherlene (Randy) Nelson, Dickinson, were born to this union. Anna and George were actively involved in the Fraternal Order of Eagles where she held various officer positions in the Ladies Auxiliary. Saturday evenings and Polka Fest were one of their favorite things to do together and were always dancing up a storm! They also were well known for their impressive garden vegetables, especially tomatoes and cucumbers. They had their very own farmers market that many people relied on for their vegetables each year. Anna and George put a lot of hours into their yard as well. They planted a wide variety of flowers which resulted in their winning Yard of the Month. Holidays were an especially fun time to light up their neighborhood with lights and the award of Christmas of the Year was given to them. George passed away in 1993.
Anna worked at KDIX radio, St. Luke’s Nursing Home and Dickinson Nursing Center (now St. Benedict’s) which she worked at until her retirement. During her retirement years she operated a daycare, was a RSVP volunteer, played in the Happy Time Band, worked at Roosevelt School and Evergreen.
She also enjoyed baking, canning, bowling, playing cards and bingo. Anna was an excellent cook and baker. She is still blamed for many a sweet tooth among her family!
In 1998 Anna met Louis Helfrich and a year later they were married. They enjoyed playing cards and games with their family. Gardening (flower and vegetable) was also a favorite pastime for them. Going on scenic car rides listening to polka music was an activity they enjoyed doing together. Many a times they would just enjoy the outdoors sitting on their deck together in the swing. In 2008 Anna went to reside at St. Benedict’s and did so until her passing.
Anna is survived by her husband, children and spouses, 18 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, five sisters Bertha Anton, Dickinson, Helen (Wally) Beaudoin, Dickinson, Appie (Tony) Fichter, Dickinson, Cathleen (Victor) Oukrop, Taylor; Mary Anne (Don) Chantry, Rapid City, S.D.; two brothers George (Hattie) Anton, Dickinson; Donald (Loretta) Anton, Rapid City, S.D.; sister-in-law Antonia Anton, Dickinson; brother-in-law Leo Mischel, Dickinson. Those who have passed before Anna include her parents, husband George Bren, three brothers, Martin, Edward and Albert Anton, and three sisters, Pauline Fichter, Jeanette Mischel and Eleanor Beaudoin.
