Helen Chapman

Helen Jean Chapman, age 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 11 at her ranch home near Big Sheep Mountain in Prairie County. She lived a blessed life and had spent her last day socializing with family and friends and petting her cats and dogs.
Helen was born in Chickasaw County, IA to William and Frieda Drewelow. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and spent her life worshipping her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Helen grew up on a farm near Beardsley, Minnesota with her 11 siblings. After graduating from high school, she received her teaching certificate from Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD. She taught in several one room schools in SD before heading west to teach 4th grade in Terry, MT.
She met and married Lee Chapman in 1959. She was a devoted ranch wife and spent 57 years at his side. They raised daughters, LaJeannea and Vadnae. She continued to teach on and off, but her priority was her family. Every year she grew a large garden and canned vegetables. She also tended a flock of chickens for eggs and meat. She supported her girls in all their activities and was a 4-H leader for many years. She was also involved in Prairie Bells, Brockway Homemakers, and Trinity Lutheran Church ladies group. Most recently her church family was New Hope Lutheran in Circle.
Helen was an outstanding cook and everyone was welcome at her table. She prided herself on making friends and no one was a stranger for long. Helen loved children! Her grandkids were the light of her life. Many fond memories were made by Jessica and Brandon when they visited in the summers. When Bill and Vadnae moved to the ranch in 2009, Grandma's little buddy Valerie lived right next door.
Helen was an animal lover, especially cats and dogs! After Lee's passing in 2017 she often expressed how much joy her dogs and houseful of cats brought to her life.
Helen is survived by her daughters: LaJeannea Hietpas (Tom) and Vadnae Greenfield (Bill), grandchildren: Jessica Boss (Lewis), Brandon Hietpas (Emily), and Valerie Greenfield Crook (Kaleb), great grandchildren: Jacqueline and Sterling Boss, siblings: Diane While and James Drewelow, and a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings: Arnold, Dorothy, Warren, Berdeen, John, Lawrence, Richard, Clarice, and William.