Lillian Helgerson

Lillian was born April 22, 1917 at Galena, Illinois, the daughter of Thomas and Myrtel (Litchfield) McFarlane. She attended St. Joseph Cathedral High School in Sioux Falls. Lillian was one of the first Employees hired at Lewis Drug when it opened in downtown Sioux Falls where she worked in the cosmetics department. She later worked at Buttreys Dress Store for nearly 10 years and then was hired to work at Fantles Department Store. At Fantles, she worked as an assistant buyer for the cosmetics and jewelry department. She also modeled dresses in the store windows. Lillian married Kayle Helgerson on January 16, 1943 in Washington, D.C. while he was serving in the US Army. Kayle took over the family business from his father in the mid 1950s and Lillian helped operate Helgerson Oil Company for many years until they retired in 1988. In 1988, they moved to Florida. Kayle passed away September 15, 2005. In 2011, Lillian came back to Sioux Falls. She enjoyed riding horses when she was a young lady, raising poodles, growing violets and walking through the parks that had flower gardens. Grateful for having shared in her life is her son, Jim (Renee) Helgerson of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, James (Julie) Stack, David Stack and Cindy Smith; step-grandchidlren, Stacey (Brad) Hasche and Amebr (Cully) Barron; four great grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren; and great-great grandson, Marshal Stack; two brothers, Charles (Shirley) McFarlane and Tom (Diane) McFarlane. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother, Ernie McFarlane and his wife, Gladys;; and a great-great grandson, Dakota.