Helen Margaret Heins, age 86, of Hot Springs, SD, died May 4, 2014, at the Castle Manor Nursing Home in Hot Springs. She moved to Castle Manor in early 2014 after several years of living at Brookside.


Helen was born February 2, 1928, to Otto and Zelma(Hall) Baalhorn in Kearney, NE, the oldest of four surviving children. She married Martin Heins on October 20, 1946, in Buffalo, NE. They purchased farm land on the Angostura Reclamation Project near Oral in the early 1950's and moved into the home they built there in 1954. They sold the farm in 1980 and moved to Fall River Road.


Before macular degeneration severely diminished her eyesight, Helen was an avid, talented, knowledgeable gardener, quilter and seamstress. In addition to working alongside Martin on the family farm, including a large "truck garden", she worked at Hot Springs Floral, Domestic Electric and the V.A. Center at various times to supplement the farm income. Helen and Martin were both active members of St. John's Lutheran Church at Smithwick and, subsequently, Fall River Road.


Helen was preceded in death by her husband Martin Heins in 2004, her brother Bill in 2002, her sister Evelyn in 1988, and an infant daughter Kathryn Joyce in 1947.

She is survived by her children, son Ken Heins of Rapid City, SD; daughter, Carolyn (Dennis) Schwiderski of Sequim, WA; brother, Leo Baalhorn of Brady, TX; granddaughter, Kirstin (Jeremy) Stauffacher of Rapid City; and two great grand-daughters, Kamryn and Addyson Stauffacher. Pat (Jerry) Collogan was like a daughter to Helen. The family is very grateful to her for her support and loving care, especially in the past few years.


A memorial fund in Helen's name has been established to benefit St. John's Lutheran Church.


Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2014, at St. John's Lutheran Church near Hot Springs with Pastor Dwayne Hunzeker officiating.


Inurnment with Martin will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD at 2:00 p.m.