Helen Cranston, age 101, of Billings, MT, formerly of Huron, SD, died Monday, September 5, 2011 at St. John's Lutheran Home in Billings. Her funeral service will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 10, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Huron with burial in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10-11 am Saturday, at the church. Helen's family requests memorials may be made to Camp Judson C/O First Baptist Church, 1420 McClellan Dr., Huron, SD 57350 or a charity of your choice. Helen Beatrice Cranston was born July 17, 1910 to Louis Edward and Florence Marie (Barthelette) Swoboda in Pierre, South Dakota. The family moved to Huron, SD in 1918 where she later raised her family. Helen and Harold Eugene Cranston were married June 13, 1928. She was a seamstress and a furrier and worked at Geyermans Dress Shop for 12 years. Helen was an active member of First Baptist Church in Huron. She was Sunday school superintendent for many years, sang in the choir and at funeral homes when needed. Helen was also member of Royal Neighbors and was the Social Sponsor for Beta Gamma Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She volunteered with the Red Cross during the polio epidemic. She was a member of Rebekah Lodge, the Ladies Encampment Auxiliary, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Patriarchs Militant, all affiliated with the Odd Fellows Lodge and as International President of L.A.P.M. she visited Lodges throughout the United States and Canada. After retiring, Harold and Helen spent their winters in Mesa, AZ where she enjoyed oil, water color and china painting. After Harold's death in 1987, Helen continued living in Mesa until 2006 when she moved to St. John's Assisted Living facility in Billings, MT. She is survived by their three daughters, Phyllis (Robert) Lewallen of Billings, MT, Frances Teuber of Mitchell, SD, and Rev. Connie Cranston of Buffalo, WY; 6 grandchildren Carol ( Matt) Matthews of Anchorage, AK, Dr. Richard (Patti) Lewallen of Billings, MT, Jean (Steve) Krause of Fairbanks, AK, Kim (Barry) Homan of Devil's Lake, ND, Tom (Carmen) Hanson of Sioux Falls, SD, Lynn Heiter of Sioux Falls, SD, 13 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold in 1987; sisters, Frances Zito, Dorothy Krovchuk, and brother, Arthur Swoboda.