Helen F. Oldre

Helen F. Oldre, age 102, of Madison, died Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at the Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison. Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Tuesday. Inurnment will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, March 15, 2018, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian.

Helen Faith Tysdale, daughter of Homer Justus and Amy Mildred (Eggleston) Tysdal, was born on March 26, 1915, on a farm just a few miles northwest of Artesian, South Dakota. Following graduation from Madison Central High School in 1932, she enrolled in the South Dakota Beauty Academy in Sioux Falls and completed the State Board exam in Pierre at the ripe age of 17.  In 1940, she was appointed to the Board of Cosmetology by Governor Harlan Bushfield and was subsequently appointed by three more Governors in the years to follow.  She retired from the Board in 1953.

She married Delbert J. Laughlin in 1935, and their daughter, Barbara Lynne, was born on October 11, 1944. Helen later married Kelmer Gilbert Oldre in 1972 and they shared 17 happy years together until his passing in 1989.

Helen joined the Order of Eastern Star in 1935. She was a member for over 80 years and held many offices during that time. She was elected to Lake County Treasurer in 1962 and held that position until her retirement in 1980. She was a thriving member of the United Methodist Church for over 80 years. In her free time she loved painting, traveling, visiting with numerous friends, walking, and aerobics. Helen also enjoyed Garden Club, Birthday Club, and Eastern Star activities, visiting family, and of course playing cards, namely Spite and Malice, for which she taught all of her grandkids and great-grandkids to play.

Helen Faith is survived by her daughter Barb (James) Liebl of Pinehurst, TX; four grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; 2 step children, Peggy (David) Blegen of Rochester, MN, Kelmer Oldre Jr. of Scottsdale, AZ; 10 step grandchildren; 14 great-step grandchildren; and two great-great step grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kelmer; one stepson Paul Oldre; and one sister Esther Rankin.

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