Helen M. Koupal, 76, of Wagner

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 A.M, Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the Assumption Catholic Church in Dante. Burial is in St. Leo's Catholic Cemetery in Tyndall. Visitation is Monday from @ to 5 PM at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner. Rosary/Wake services are 7:30 PM, Monday, at the church.

Helen Marie Koupal was born January 10, 1936 at Tyndall, SD, the daughter of John and Frances (Zapletal) Bartekoske. She died Friday, March 16, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner, SD. Helen attained the age of 76 years, two months and six days.

Helen attended Steckly Country School east of Tyndall and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1954. Following high school, she worked in Tyndall at the Bon Homme County Courthouse in the Register of Deeds office.

Helen was united in marriage to Lyle Joseph Koupal on October 24, 1955 at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall. Together they farmed on the family farm south of Dante until retiring in 2002 due to Lyle's failing health. Lyle and Helen remained living on the homestead until October 3, 2011, when they became residents of the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. She also worked part-time in the office at the Wagner Livestock Sales in Wagner.

Helen was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Dante, St. Mary's Altar Society, St. Mary's Altar Society officer, CCD Religious Board, CCD Religious Board officer, CCD Religious Coordinator, CCD Religious Instructor, Catholic Daughters of America, National Catholic Society of Foresters and Dante Card Club.

Helen will be remembered for her love of birds, polka music, dancing and her large frog collection. She loved baking and making kolaches for her grandsons. Her two large gardens on the farm and her flowers were her pride and joy.

Thankful for having shared her life are her three children: Cynthia and husband Richard Ludens of Springfield; Ronald D. Koupal of Dante; and Julie and husband Randy Rysavy of Wagner; five grandsons: Kyle Schnider and fiancée Sarah Monen of Sioux Falls; John and Monte Rysavy, both of Wagner and Michael and David Ludens, both of Springfield; two great granddaughters: Eleanor (Monen) and Elsie Schnider of Sioux Falls; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lavina (Koupal) and Bill Ruhl of Davenport, IA; sister-in-law, Helen Koupal (Mrs. Nilus) of Davenport, IA; four nephews and a niece.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle on October 22, 2011; her parents; and brothers-in-law: Nilus and Lambert Koupal.