Obit: Youngthunder, Helen (1925 – 2009)
Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Youngthunder, Waukon, Winneshiek, Cloud, Decora, Link, Martinez, Payer, Contraras, Weber, Blackdeer, Snowball, Thundercloud, Wentz

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) March 4, 2009

Youngthunder, Helen (11 September 1925– 24 February 2009)

Helen Youngthunder, 83, of Black River Falls passed away Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, in her home under the care of Black River Hospice.

Helen Waukon was born Sept. 11, 11925, in Jackson County to William and Ruth (Winneshiek) Waukon. She was a lifelong resident of the Black River Falls area. She married Eli Youngthunder in 1941. He passed away Oct. 29, 2006.

Helen was very devoted to her family. In addition she enjoyed going to rummage sales and flea markets, picture puzzles, gardening, birding, picking berries, gathering plants for medicinal purposes, cherry picking in Door County and watching television (especially “Little People, Big World” and “Wheel of Fortune.”)

Survivors include four sons, George (Pat), Charlie (Rose), Roger (Gail) and Paul (Judy) Youngthunder, all of Black River Falls; four daughters, Lavetta Cloud, Louisa (Clayton) Decora, Anita (Duane Link) Youngthunder and Martha Martinez, all of Black River Falls; 36 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Payer of Black River Falls and Celestine Contraras of Milwaukee; two daughters-in-law, Brenda and Mary Youngthunder; and numerous other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Eli, Helen was preceded in death by two sons, John and Edward Youngthunder; two daughters, Amelia Weber and an infant daughter; three granddaughters; a brother, Ole Waukon; and three sisters, Emily Blackdeer, Annie Snowball and Naomi Waukon.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, at the Helen Youngthunder residence and burial was in Decorah Cemetery, both in rural Black River Falls. The Thundercloud Clan officiated and Frances Wentz was the worker.

Family and friends were invited for continuous visitation starting at 4 p.m. Thursday until services Friday at the Helen Youngthunder residence.

The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.