Helen L. Kuhns, age 91, of Huron, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 29, 2016 at her home in Huron four days after her birthday.

Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 2, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Huron with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, Huron.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, September 1, at Welter Funeral Home, with a prayer service to begin at 7 p.m.; or visitation one hour prior to the service at the Church on Friday.

Helen L. Pearson, the daughter of Raymond J. and Annie I. (Hawkinson) Pearson, was born on August 24, 1925 in Gorman, SD.  She attended schools in Potter County and was a couple of weeks from graduating as the Valedictorian of Gettysburg High School when she had to quit school to help on the family farm during the Depression.

Helen married Darold B. Kuhns on September 1, 1943 in Pierre, SD and to this union three children were born: Darla, Diana, and John.  The couple made their home on a farm outside of Onida, SD until 1952. They also lived in Willow Lake, Onida, and Gettysburg before moving to Huron.

Helen worked as a cook at hospitals in Onida and Huron.  She also worked as a cook at the Chef for 16 years, and at Harold's until her retirement.  About that time poor health set in and Helen had to see one doctor after another until her daughter, Darla moved home to take care of her.

Helen was a member of First United Methodist Church in Huron and had a great faith. She was also a member of the Eastern Star Onida Chapter.

Helen was a great cook and loved to bake pies and taught her daughters how to cook as well.  Helen loved to sew and sewed many of her daughter's dresses including their wedding and prom dresses. She also loved to play Whist and Canasta, and was a great listener.

Grateful for having shared in Helen's life are her two daughters, Darla LaPorte of Seattle, WA, and Diana Smith of Sterling, IL; daughter-in-law, Karen Kuhns of Huron, SD; seven grandchildren, Denzil (Bobbi Jo) Smith Katherine (Greg) McNinch, Lisa Anderson Don LaPorte, Chad LaPorte, Chastity Kuhns (Moayad Alsenbel) and Justin (Kristin) Kuhns; 20 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; brother, Kenneth (Darlene) Pearson of Burnsville, MN; sister-in-law, Edna Pearson of Willow Lake; and several nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Annie Pearson; her husband, Darold in 1982; son, John Kuhns; two brothers, Henry (Velma) Pearson and Ray Pearson; and two sisters, Mabel (Dick) Morseth and Rose (Elmer) Anderson.

Memorials may be made in Helen's name to the family for a memorial that is to be determined at a later date.