Rolland "Butch" Helkenn

Rolland “Butch” Helkenn, 86, of Sundance, Wyoming entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on March 27, 2024.

Butch was born on January 14, 1938, in Clark, South Dakota to Edward and LaVerne (Kruthoff) Helkenn. He grew up with four brothers, one sister and one uncle on the home place located in Fordham Township.

He attended Fordham Elementary and Logan High School, where he met his wife, Betty Marie Carter. They married on October 11, 1956 and shortly thereafter moved to their own family farm located one mile east and one mile south of “over home”.

They began their life together working a dairy and doing what Butch loved the most – farming and ranching. It was on this farm that they raised three sons and two daughters.

From 1987 through 2011, Butch worked together with his son, Brian, while also working for a local farmer in Raymond, South Dakota. He retired in 2013 and moved to Sundance with his family.

Butch enjoyed sports. He played basketball in high school and his favorite sport was baseball. After high school he played softball and always watched his favorite baseball team – the New York Yankees.

Butch loved tractors (Potato Days), grilling, a good western book, country music, fishing, gardening and Joe’s fried chicken. Butch most looked forward to the yearly family camping trip in the Black Hills, which even his grown children and their families continued to tag along on, even long after leaving home.

Butch is survived by his wife, Betty, Sundance; son, Brian (Jill), Cotopaxi, Colorado; daughter, Tami, Rapid City, South Dakota; daughter, Carmen, (Tom), Denver, Colorado; son, Wade (Jami), Sundance; son, Ted, Sundance; 14 “Dirty Birds” grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; brother, Dale and sister-in-law LaVonne Helkenn; sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Joyce; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and LaVerne Helkenn; brothers/sisters-in-law, Wayne/Mary Helkenn, Gene Helkenn, Norman Helkenn, Arlyn (Um) Helkenn; sister, Patsy Wallum; and uncle, Art Helkenn.

Condolences can be sent to Betty Helkenn, PO Box 875, Sundance, Wyoming 82729.

Mass of Christian Brial will be at 10 a.m., on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish, SD. A rosary will be said at 9 a.m. A private family rite of committal will take place at the Helkenn Ranch.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com