Helen Sprecher

Helen Sprecher, age 75, of Howard, SD, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on April 2, 2021, after fighting a lengthy disease. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at St. John Lutheran Church in Howard. Burial will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery. The family will be present for visitation from 5-7 PM, Monday, at Willoughby Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 7. Masks are recommended at all services.

Helen Darlene Rasmussen was born on November 17, 1945, to Albert and Elsie (Eggert) Rasmussen. She graduated from Howard High School in 1963. After graduation, Helen attended Augustana College and then graduated from Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, SD. She was united in marriage to Jerry Sprecher on November 5, 1967 in Howard, SD, where they resided on the family farm. They had two daughters, Teri and Angie. Helen worked as a Deputy County Auditor at the Miner County Courthouse for her entire working career.

Helen had a strong faith and was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard, SD. She served on many committees her entire life until she was unable to do so.

Many may remember Helen as being the life of the party. She often dressed up with friends, providing singing and laughing entertainment. Her skits were often requested for many types of events and celebrations. Helen was a fun-loving lady who brought laughter to everybody.

Helen enjoyed golfing, bowling, gardening, and taking care of her farm animals. There was hardly a time where she didn’t have a rag or a broom in her hands looking for a spot that needed tidying up. One of her biggest joys was playing the old-fashioned player piano and singing with her family.

Even though, at the end of her disease, Helen couldn’t greet her family by name, she always referred to them as “her people.” She is survived by those people including her husband Jerry of Howard, SD; daughter Teri (Lowell) Gerry of Madison, SD; Angie (Jason) Bishop of Wolsey, SD; her beautiful grandchildren, Tyler, Eli, Maddie, Zoey, Micala, Lexi and Kobe and a brother, Don (Jenny) Rasmussen of Howard, SD.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Myrna Snow.

Arrangements are with the Willoughby Funeral Home in Howard.