Helen A. Gisselbeck

Helen A. Gisselbeck ObituaryHelen A. Gisselbeck, age 92, of Watertown, SD passed away on October 15, 2025 in Lake Norden, SD.
Funeral services will be 10:30am, Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Visitation will be 5-7:00pm, Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at Bangor Lutheran Cemetery, Arlington, SD.
Helen Arlene Gisselbeck was born on December 14, 1932 to Walter and Inga (Jorgensen) Emmert on the family farm near Henry, South Dakota; where her family lived until they moved to Watertown, South Dakota. Helen graduated from Watertown High School in 1950. In high school she enjoyed playing the violin in orchestra.
Helen married Lowell "Tuffy" Gisselbeck on June 11, 1953 in Watertown. The couple met while she was working at Dairyland Ice Cream Shop. After marriage they lived in Watertown and Helen was fortunate to travel with Tuffy all over the United States while Tuffy represented the National FFA. During this time she also worked for her dad at the Pine Tree Cafe as a waitress. Helen and Tuffy moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado when he was drafted in the Army. They resided there until the birth of their daughter, Tammy in September 1959 and then they moved to the farm south of Watertown.
In 1962 the couple purchased the farm at Arlington where they resided for 30 years. During that time she spent her days cooking for whoever she had at the dinner table; which usually was at least one hired man and sometimes a salesman and they always knew when to show up for a hot meal. They welcomed their son, Danny in August of 1969.
Helen loved keeping in touch with her friends. Her extensive phone conversations lead her to step into the spot as the reporter for the Arlington News on the KBRK radio. She also sent Arlington news updates to the Brookings Register and the Watertown Public Opinion on a regular basis. Perhaps that's why she always had a tendency to ask her family "What's news?" at least once per conversation.
She filled in as a cashier at J & R Oil on weekends. Helen also worked at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home for quite a few years, answering the phone and supervising visitations when the owners needed extra help. Helen had multiple phone conversations helping coordinate the efforts of the local FFA chapter while they were in the process of building the Arlington football field in 1976.
Helen was a member of the Watertown Wesleyan Church (now Gracepoint).
In 1994, Helen and Tuffy moved back to Watertown to the home that she grew up in when Danny took over the family farm. Once they settled into their home, Helen began working as a cashier at Wal Mart, where she worked for 20 years. She loved working early mornings on Black Friday; and one year she received her one and only traffic ticket on her way to work.
Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Tammy (Gordie Kane); grandson, Dusty (Lacey); great-granddaughter, Wren; and twin great-grandsons, Rhett and Royal; Her son, Dan (Barb); step grandchildren, Dan (Megan), Amanda (Andy) and Amber (Eric); step great-grandchildren, Declan, Cael, Beckett, Luna, Derik, Aunna and Addie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walt and Inga; her husband, Tuffy; and her siblings, Doris and Glen.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family - www.wightandcomes.com.
Helen A. Gisselbeck, age 92, of Watertown, SD passed away on October 15, 2025 in Lake Norden, SD.
Funeral services will be 10:30am, Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Visitation will be 5-7:00pm, Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
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