RAPID CITY - Helen Daughenbaugh, a lifetime resident and supporter of Pennington County and its residents, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at the age of 90.
Helen was born May 26, 1919 at the ranch on Sheridan Lake Road to Feay and Ida (Hall) Reder. She attended Dennis country school, Rapid City High School and Black Hills Teacher's College in Spearfish. She taught at the Hayward, Dennis, and Big Bend country schools and grade school at the E.B. Berquist School. In 1943 she went to work for County Treasurer Merle McCain.
She married Horace Daughenbaugh Nov. 23, 1946. They built the Whitetail Motel on West Main in 1952. Helen helped with the management and did the cleaning at the motel and assisted with the continued operation of Horace's business, The Cabinet Shop. After four years, the motel was sold and she went to work for County Auditor Fred Gibbs.
She was elected as Auditor in 1968 and held the office until her retirement in 1987. She was state president of the South Dakota Association of County Officials in 1985. After moving to Westhills Village, Helen belonged to Golden K Kiwanis, and continued serving on the Minnilusa Historical Association Board and the SALT Board.
She cared for her husband Horace for many years until his death in 2005. She has had many interests throughout the years. Her love of the Black Hills, their people and events, have kept her busy verifying family dates and pictures.
She enjoyed sharing local and family history, particularly of Sylvan Lake, which was built by her grandfather Theodore Reder in 1892. Helen had strong roots in the area on her mother's side as well. Mary Hall Park is named after her maternal grandmother who, with her husband, farmed west of the National Guard Camp in Rapid City.
She collected pictures of all the courthouses of Pennington County, including the first one in Sheridan Valley now covered by Sheridan Lake. She loved working in the courthouse because she was able to get to know so many residents and help them.
Her favorite diversion though the years was playing popular piano music from the early 1900s, including music collected by her sister Mary Payton. Helen's greatest joy was her husband and family.
She is survived by her son, Randy (Mary) Daughenbaugh, Rapid City; a daughter, Gail (Dale) Westendorf, Beaumont, Texas; four grandchildren, Jason Daughenbaugh, Jill Graff, Nathan Westendorf, and Erin Westendorf; and five great-grandchildren, Reder and Ruby Daughenbaugh, Wally Graff, and Avery and Sydni Westendorf.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Kirk Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ted Huffman officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the First Congregational Church. Friends may sign Helen's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.
Helen Daughenbaugh, a longtime Pennington County auditor, a leading figure in local Republican politics for decades, and a member of a pioneering Black Hills family, has died.
Daughenbaugh died Tuesday at age 90 at Westhills Village in Rapid City.
She worked in the Pennington County Courthouse for more than 40 years, including 18 years as auditor from 1969-1987.
Current Auditor Julie Pearson, who Daughenbaugh hired in 1976, called her old boss a good role model who was ahead of her time.
"She liked to hire young people when that really wasn't the thing to do," Pearson said. "She just thought we were the future of the community. She ingrained in us a lot of the history of the community and the idea of trying to give back."
Pearson said Daughenbaugh was smart and a good mentor. "She was a very good hearted person. She did a lot for her community and her party."
Pearson and Chief Deputy Auditor K.J. Peterson said Daughenbaugh knew many people and the history of the area.
"I worked for Helen for about 18 months," said Peterson. "She could tell you anything. What a joy of a person she was."
Pearson said Daughenbaugh respected her heritage, coming from a pioneering family.
Daughenbaugh was born on May 26, 1919, on the Reder Ranch established in the 1880s on Sheridan Lake Road by her grandfather, Theodore Reder. Her parents were Feay and Ida Hall Reder.
She attended the Dennis Country School, Rapid City High School and Black Hills State Teachers College in Spearfish. She taught at the Dennis, Hayward and Big Bend country schools as well as at Bergquist Elementary School in Rapid City before going to work at the Pennington County Treasurer's Office in 1943.
Her grandfather and his brothers came to the Black Hills in the 1870s. Theodore Reder dammed up what became Sylvan Lake and built the original Sylvan Lake hotel, which later burned down.
Daughenbaugh was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Daughenbaugh, in 2005. She is survived by a daughter, Gail Westendorf of Beaumont, Texas, and a son, Randy Daughenbaugh, of Rapid City.
Helen was born May 26, 1919 at the ranch on Sheridan Lake Road to Feay and Ida (Hall) Reder. She attended Dennis country school, Rapid City High School and Black Hills Teacher's College in Spearfish. She taught at the Hayward, Dennis, and Big Bend country schools and grade school at the E.B. Berquist School. In 1943 she went to work for County Treasurer Merle McCain.
She married Horace Daughenbaugh Nov. 23, 1946. They built the Whitetail Motel on West Main in 1952. Helen helped with the management and did the cleaning at the motel and assisted with the continued operation of Horace's business, The Cabinet Shop. After four years, the motel was sold and she went to work for County Auditor Fred Gibbs.
She was elected as Auditor in 1968 and held the office until her retirement in 1987. She was state president of the South Dakota Association of County Officials in 1985. After moving to Westhills Village, Helen belonged to Golden K Kiwanis, and continued serving on the Minnilusa Historical Association Board and the SALT Board.
She cared for her husband Horace for many years until his death in 2005. She has had many interests throughout the years. Her love of the Black Hills, their people and events, have kept her busy verifying family dates and pictures.
She enjoyed sharing local and family history, particularly of Sylvan Lake, which was built by her grandfather Theodore Reder in 1892. Helen had strong roots in the area on her mother's side as well. Mary Hall Park is named after her maternal grandmother who, with her husband, farmed west of the National Guard Camp in Rapid City.
She collected pictures of all the courthouses of Pennington County, including the first one in Sheridan Valley now covered by Sheridan Lake. She loved working in the courthouse because she was able to get to know so many residents and help them.
Her favorite diversion though the years was playing popular piano music from the early 1900s, including music collected by her sister Mary Payton. Helen's greatest joy was her husband and family.
She is survived by her son, Randy (Mary) Daughenbaugh, Rapid City; a daughter, Gail (Dale) Westendorf, Beaumont, Texas; four grandchildren, Jason Daughenbaugh, Jill Graff, Nathan Westendorf, and Erin Westendorf; and five great-grandchildren, Reder and Ruby Daughenbaugh, Wally Graff, and Avery and Sydni Westendorf.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Kirk Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ted Huffman officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the First Congregational Church. Friends may sign Helen's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.
Helen Daughenbaugh, a longtime Pennington County auditor, a leading figure in local Republican politics for decades, and a member of a pioneering Black Hills family, has died.
Daughenbaugh died Tuesday at age 90 at Westhills Village in Rapid City.
She worked in the Pennington County Courthouse for more than 40 years, including 18 years as auditor from 1969-1987.
Current Auditor Julie Pearson, who Daughenbaugh hired in 1976, called her old boss a good role model who was ahead of her time.
"She liked to hire young people when that really wasn't the thing to do," Pearson said. "She just thought we were the future of the community. She ingrained in us a lot of the history of the community and the idea of trying to give back."
Pearson said Daughenbaugh was smart and a good mentor. "She was a very good hearted person. She did a lot for her community and her party."
Pearson and Chief Deputy Auditor K.J. Peterson said Daughenbaugh knew many people and the history of the area.
"I worked for Helen for about 18 months," said Peterson. "She could tell you anything. What a joy of a person she was."
Pearson said Daughenbaugh respected her heritage, coming from a pioneering family.
Daughenbaugh was born on May 26, 1919, on the Reder Ranch established in the 1880s on Sheridan Lake Road by her grandfather, Theodore Reder. Her parents were Feay and Ida Hall Reder.
She attended the Dennis Country School, Rapid City High School and Black Hills State Teachers College in Spearfish. She taught at the Dennis, Hayward and Big Bend country schools as well as at Bergquist Elementary School in Rapid City before going to work at the Pennington County Treasurer's Office in 1943.
Her grandfather and his brothers came to the Black Hills in the 1870s. Theodore Reder dammed up what became Sylvan Lake and built the original Sylvan Lake hotel, which later burned down.
Daughenbaugh was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Daughenbaugh, in 2005. She is survived by a daughter, Gail Westendorf of Beaumont, Texas, and a son, Randy Daughenbaugh, of Rapid City.
RAPID CITY - Helen Daughenbaugh, a lifetime resident and supporter of Pennington County and its residents, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at the age of 90.
Helen was born May 26, 1919 at the ranch on Sheridan Lake Road to Feay and Ida (Hall) Reder. She attended Dennis country school, Rapid City High School and Black Hills Teacher's College in Spearfish. She taught at the Hayward, Dennis, and Big Bend country schools and grade school at the E.B. Berquist School. In 1943 she went to work for County Treasurer Merle McCain.
She married Horace Daughenbaugh Nov. 23, 1946. They built the Whitetail Motel on West Main in 1952. Helen helped with the management and did the cleaning at the motel and assisted with the continued operation of Horace's business, The Cabinet Shop. After four years, the motel was sold and she went to work for County Auditor Fred Gibbs.
She was elected as Auditor in 1968 and held the office until her retirement in 1987. She was state president of the South Dakota Association of County Officials in 1985. After moving to Westhills Village, Helen belonged to Golden K Kiwanis, and continued serving on the Minnilusa Historical Association Board and the SALT Board.
She cared for her husband Horace for many years until his death in 2005. She has had many interests throughout the years. Her love of the Black Hills, their people and events, have kept her busy verifying family dates and pictures.
She enjoyed sharing local and family history, particularly of Sylvan Lake, which was built by her grandfather Theodore Reder in 1892. Helen had strong roots in the area on her mother's side as well. Mary Hall Park is named after her maternal grandmother who, with her husband, farmed west of the National Guard Camp in Rapid City.
She collected pictures of all the courthouses of Pennington County, including the first one in Sheridan Valley now covered by Sheridan Lake. She loved working in the courthouse because she was able to get to know so many residents and help them.
Her favorite diversion though the years was playing popular piano music from the early 1900s, including music collected by her sister Mary Payton. Helen's greatest joy was her husband and family.
She is survived by her son, Randy (Mary) Daughenbaugh, Rapid City; a daughter, Gail (Dale) Westendorf, Beaumont, Texas; four grandchildren, Jason Daughenbaugh, Jill Graff, Nathan Westendorf, and Erin Westendorf; and five great-grandchildren, Reder and Ruby Daughenbaugh, Wally Graff, and Avery and Sydni Westendorf.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Kirk Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ted Huffman officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the First Congregational Church. Friends may sign Helen's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.
Helen Daughenbaugh, a longtime Pennington County auditor, a leading figure in local Republican politics for decades, and a member of a pioneering Black Hills family, has died.
Daughenbaugh died Tuesday at age 90 at Westhills Village in Rapid City.
She worked in the Pennington County Courthouse for more than 40 years, including 18 years as auditor from 1969-1987.
Current Auditor Julie Pearson, who Daughenbaugh hired in 1976, called her old boss a good role model who was ahead of her time.
"She liked to hire young people when that really wasn't the thing to do," Pearson said. "She just thought we were the future of the community. She ingrained in us a lot of the history of the community and the idea of trying to give back."
Pearson said Daughenbaugh was smart and a good mentor. "She was a very good hearted person. She did a lot for her community and her party."
Pearson and Chief Deputy Auditor K.J. Peterson said Daughenbaugh knew many people and the history of the area.
"I worked for Helen for about 18 months," said Peterson. "She could tell you anything. What a joy of a person she was."
Pearson said Daughenbaugh respected her heritage, coming from a pioneering family.
Daughenbaugh was born on May 26, 1919, on the Reder Ranch established in the 1880s on Sheridan Lake Road by her grandfather, Theodore Reder. Her parents were Feay and Ida Hall Reder.
She attended the Dennis Country School, Rapid City High School and Black Hills State Teachers College in Spearfish. She taught at the Dennis, Hayward and Big Bend country schools as well as at Bergquist Elementary School in Rapid City before going to work at the Pennington County Treasurer's Office in 1943.
Her grandfather and his brothers came to the Black Hills in the 1870s. Theodore Reder dammed up what became Sylvan Lake and built the original Sylvan Lake hotel, which later burned down.
Daughenbaugh was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Daughenbaugh, in 2005. She is survived by a daughter, Gail Westendorf of Beaumont, Texas, and a son, Randy Daughenbaugh, of Rapid City.
Helen was born May 26, 1919 at the ranch on Sheridan Lake Road to Feay and Ida (Hall) Reder. She attended Dennis country school, Rapid City High School and Black Hills Teacher's College in Spearfish. She taught at the Hayward, Dennis, and Big Bend country schools and grade school at the E.B. Berquist School. In 1943 she went to work for County Treasurer Merle McCain.
She married Horace Daughenbaugh Nov. 23, 1946. They built the Whitetail Motel on West Main in 1952. Helen helped with the management and did the cleaning at the motel and assisted with the continued operation of Horace's business, The Cabinet Shop. After four years, the motel was sold and she went to work for County Auditor Fred Gibbs.
She was elected as Auditor in 1968 and held the office until her retirement in 1987. She was state president of the South Dakota Association of County Officials in 1985. After moving to Westhills Village, Helen belonged to Golden K Kiwanis, and continued serving on the Minnilusa Historical Association Board and the SALT Board.
She cared for her husband Horace for many years until his death in 2005. She has had many interests throughout the years. Her love of the Black Hills, their people and events, have kept her busy verifying family dates and pictures.
She enjoyed sharing local and family history, particularly of Sylvan Lake, which was built by her grandfather Theodore Reder in 1892. Helen had strong roots in the area on her mother's side as well. Mary Hall Park is named after her maternal grandmother who, with her husband, farmed west of the National Guard Camp in Rapid City.
She collected pictures of all the courthouses of Pennington County, including the first one in Sheridan Valley now covered by Sheridan Lake. She loved working in the courthouse because she was able to get to know so many residents and help them.
Her favorite diversion though the years was playing popular piano music from the early 1900s, including music collected by her sister Mary Payton. Helen's greatest joy was her husband and family.
She is survived by her son, Randy (Mary) Daughenbaugh, Rapid City; a daughter, Gail (Dale) Westendorf, Beaumont, Texas; four grandchildren, Jason Daughenbaugh, Jill Graff, Nathan Westendorf, and Erin Westendorf; and five great-grandchildren, Reder and Ruby Daughenbaugh, Wally Graff, and Avery and Sydni Westendorf.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Kirk Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ted Huffman officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the First Congregational Church. Friends may sign Helen's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.
Helen Daughenbaugh, a longtime Pennington County auditor, a leading figure in local Republican politics for decades, and a member of a pioneering Black Hills family, has died.
Daughenbaugh died Tuesday at age 90 at Westhills Village in Rapid City.
She worked in the Pennington County Courthouse for more than 40 years, including 18 years as auditor from 1969-1987.
Current Auditor Julie Pearson, who Daughenbaugh hired in 1976, called her old boss a good role model who was ahead of her time.
"She liked to hire young people when that really wasn't the thing to do," Pearson said. "She just thought we were the future of the community. She ingrained in us a lot of the history of the community and the idea of trying to give back."
Pearson said Daughenbaugh was smart and a good mentor. "She was a very good hearted person. She did a lot for her community and her party."
Pearson and Chief Deputy Auditor K.J. Peterson said Daughenbaugh knew many people and the history of the area.
"I worked for Helen for about 18 months," said Peterson. "She could tell you anything. What a joy of a person she was."
Pearson said Daughenbaugh respected her heritage, coming from a pioneering family.
Daughenbaugh was born on May 26, 1919, on the Reder Ranch established in the 1880s on Sheridan Lake Road by her grandfather, Theodore Reder. Her parents were Feay and Ida Hall Reder.
She attended the Dennis Country School, Rapid City High School and Black Hills State Teachers College in Spearfish. She taught at the Dennis, Hayward and Big Bend country schools as well as at Bergquist Elementary School in Rapid City before going to work at the Pennington County Treasurer's Office in 1943.
Her grandfather and his brothers came to the Black Hills in the 1870s. Theodore Reder dammed up what became Sylvan Lake and built the original Sylvan Lake hotel, which later burned down.
Daughenbaugh was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Daughenbaugh, in 2005. She is survived by a daughter, Gail Westendorf of Beaumont, Texas, and a son, Randy Daughenbaugh, of Rapid City.
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