HELEN EIKAMP

The funeral for Helen Eikamp was held at10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at First Lutheran Church in Britton. Rev. Terrill Sorensen officiated and interment was at the Britton Cemetery. Helen passed away Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton at the age of 98.

Helen G. (Peterson) Eikamp was born January 11, 1924 in an upstairs bedroom of a farmhouse near Arlington, South Dakota, to Cornelius and Christina (Steffenson) Peterson. The family moved to the Lake City, South Dakota area in 1932, where she attended Britton High School, graduating in 1942. Helen taught country school for two years after receiving her high school diploma and in 1944 attended the University of South Dakota for one year to study journalism.

On May 8, 1946 Helen was united in marriage with Fred B. Eikamp of Britton upon his completion of overseas duty with the United States Army during World War II. They made their home in Britton and were married for 63 years before Fred’s death on September 2, 2009.

Helen was very active in the First Lutheran Church by working in service groups and taking her turns in chairing committees. She was instrumental in organizing the first library for the church and was on the library board for over three decades. As a result of her church and community contributions, she received the Peoples’ Choice Award for Marshall County in 2015.

A gifted writer, Helen wrote poems for the weekly church bulletin based on the Gospels for three consecutive years during the 1960s, over 150 poems. She continued writing poetry for the rest of her life, receiving recognition with awards and published writings in South Dakota and throughout the Midwest. Helen was often called upon to write humorous skits, poems for weddings, births and deeply touching verse for families mourning the loss of a loved one. She also wrote just because she loved to write; any subject was fair game.

Helen somehow found time to keep the books for the family businesses, including the gas station for three years and the farm implement business for 23 years.

She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary for over 65 years, serving in each office at least once. In 1987, Helen was named South Dakota State Chaplain of the Auxiliary and honored with that post for one year, traveling throughout the State with the Commander of the Auxiliary.

She is survived by three sons: Kevin Eikamp (Rita) of Dysart, Iowa; Rod Eikamp of Aberdeen, South Dakota; Curtis Eikamp (Jeanine) of Buffalo City, Wisconsin; her five grandchildren: Emily Appleton (Matthew) of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Adam Eikamp (Dawn) of Dubuque, Iowa; Peter Eikamp (Amy) of Dysart, Iowa; Matthew Eikamp of Munich, Germany; Jordan Eikamp of Coralville, Iowa; and nine great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, a daughter-in-law, Cindy Eikamp; and three brothers: Arden, Arden M., and Neil Peterson.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Curtis Eikamp – 65 W. 3rd St. – Buffalo City, WI 54622; or Rod Eikamp – 38506 128th St. – Aberdeen, SD 57401; or Kevin Eikamp – PO Box 99 – Dysart, IA 52224.

An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.pricefuneralchapel.net.