Helen B. Yexley

Mrs. Helen B. Yexley, age 88, Bradley, widow of Ernest Yexley died in a Watertown care center on Monday evening, July 6, 2009. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 11AM in the St. John's Lutheran Church at Bradley with Minister Marion Grimes officiating. Music will be provided by Marvine Obermeier as organist with Wendy Christman and Marvine Obermeier singing. Casketbearers will be her grandchildren, Lisa Meier, Laura Popkes, David D. and Douglas Yexley, Ann Remington, Hannah, Amy Jo, Taylor and Kristen Yexley and Gordy Lyons. Honorary Casketbearers will be her great-grandchildren and all family and friends. Burial will follow in the Prairie Hill Cemetery at Bradley. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5-7PM with the family present at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and 1 hour preceding services at the Church on Saturday morning. Helen Beatrice Yexley was born on February 27, 1921 at Ft. Dodge, IA, the daughter of George Gelley and Beatrice S. (Davis) Simpson. The family moved to North Dakota when she was young and then to Clark, SD where she attended junior high and high school graduating in 1939 from Clark High School. Following her high school education she worked for Dr. Bennett in Clark for a brief time and then attended nursing college in Chicago. On July 7, 1940 she was united in marriage to Ernest Yexley at the Congregational parsonage in Clark. The couple lived and farmed near Bradley their entire married life. He died in August of 2004. Helen has remained on the farm until just recently when she entered the Golden Living Center at Watertown the end of May of 2009. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church at Bradley where she was also a member of the WELCA and a circle group. The Bradley Cemetery Association was an important membership she held for many years as well. Some of her fondest moments were spent tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, canning, reading - especially reading and collecting cookbooks and taking care of cats. She will long be remembered for her baking and cooking; second to none though was her love of family, being a homemaker and mother. In years past she enjoyed square dancing and playing cards, especially whist. Another favorite time of hers was watching the movie Ghost. Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Victor (Karen) Yexley of Watertown, Alan Yexley of Bradley, David (Joyce) Yexley of West Fargo, ND and Steven (Betty) Yexley, Littleton, CO; a son-in-law, Arlo Saboe of Willow Lake; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She also leaves a brother, Jack Simpson of Bella Vista, Arkansas, brother-in-law, Clifford Yexley of Clark and a sister-in-law, Sallie Yexley of Chicago. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, daughter, Linda Saboe, two grandsons, CW2 Scott A. Saboe and Michael Yexley, brother, Alfred Simpson, sisters-in-law, Ida Yexley and Phyllis Simpson and brothers-in-law, Sidney and Victor Yexley. Arrangements are announced by the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com Helen Yexley (Mother) There was a little gray-haired lady With a smile upon her face Her eyes of blue twinkled with life Displaying Gods sweet grace. She made us all feel special We were important to her Mother genuinely cared That we know for sure. Mother has been blessed with heaven A place where there are no more tears Eternally praising the Wonderful Lord That she has known for many years Although our hearts are heavy At this time of loss I can almost hear her say, Press on! Its worth the cost Im rejoicing now in the presence of God Singing and praising His name. Hallelujahs are heard all over the place Im so glad I finally came. The way has been rough and rocky Down my road of life. But if you could see my mansion here Youd know it was worth the price. I know that you will miss me. But one thing is true, When you reach heaven my friend, Ill be waiting here for you.