Helen Gertrude Peterson was born on February 27, 1923 in Tappan, North Dakota to Godfrey and Hannah (Anderson) Peterson. She attended school in Tappan, where she played on the Tappan High School Girls Basketball team.

In 1923, Helen was baptized and later confirmed in 1937 at St. John Lutheran Church in Tappan. Her current membership was with St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake.

On March 9, 1945, Helen was united in marriage to Elmer Pape in Bismarck, North Dakota. This couple was blessed with five children: Richard, Darlene, Claudia, Clark and Kenneth.

Helen was a waitress for many years but always a devoted homemaker and mother. She found much pleasure in reading and attending church. Memories of her youth on the farm often flooded Helen’s memories. She reminisced often of those years. Helen loved and cherished her family and the time they spent together.

Those left to cherish Helen’s memory are her children: Richard (Sylvia) Pape of Milford, Michigan; Darlene Kohlmeyer of Storm Lake, Iowa; Clark Pape of Waterloo, Iowa; Kenneth Pape of Storm Lake, Iowa; grandchildren: David Pape, Sara (Ric) Tucker, Bob (Heather) Kraai, Henry (Jill) Kraai, Theresa Block, Amber (Jeffrey) Thies and Jason Pape; great grandchildren: Morgan and Zachary Pape, Jackson Tucker, Kurt, Kory and Wyatt Kraai, Grant and Clay Block, Taylor and Morgan Kraai; great-great grandchildren: Tyler Kraai, Nicole Farrenkopf, and Avery Thies; two sisters: Evelyn (Everett) Houser of Story City, Iowa and Genevieve (Julius) Huff of Jamestown, North Dakota; extended family and many friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer Pape (November 22, 1961); her daughter, Claudia Pape; her brothers: Dennis, Walter and Glen; her sister, Mabel Peterson; and granddaughter, Susan Kraai.