Helen Bohlen

Helen (Mrs. Earl) Bohlen, age 88, of Milbank died on January 22, 2020, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Timothy Koch will officiate, and burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to the service.

Helen Louise (Grabow) Bohlen was born on March 25, 1931, in Milbank, SD. She was the daughter of Gustav and Louisa M. (Liebe) Grabow. Helen graduated from Milbank High School with the Class of 1949. She was united in marriage with Earl Bohlen on July 13, 1949, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona, SD. They were blessed to share 70 years of marriage.

Helen was baptized and confirmed in 1950 in Petosky, MI, at Zion Lutheran Church. Earl and Helen lived in St. Paul, MN, then returned to Milbank in 1951. Helen loved being a mother and raising her five children. No one, especially her children ever left the house hungry! She was a faithful and devoted member of Emanuel Lutheran Church. She enjoyed the quilting circle and served on many church committees. She was instrumental in helping form the Be Ye Doers.

Helen loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each grandchild was blessed with one of Helen’s quilts, made especially for them. She enjoyed playing Scrabble with them, and most importantly, just spending time together. She also enjoyed bowling. Helen and Earl cherished their daily morning visits from Jim Giossi.

Helen is survived by her husband, Earl of Milbank, SD; her children: Diane (Bill) Bulygo of Apple Valley, MN; Douglas (Beth) Bohlen of Corona, SD; and Earl (Lena) Bohlen of Spring Branch, TX; daughter-in-law, Bobbie Bohlen of Milbank, SD; eight grandchildren: Eric Bulygo, Maryn Miklas, Zachary Bulygo, Emily Carr, Caroline Bohlen-Kilgore, Jon Bohlen, Chris Bohlen, and Claire Bohlen; eight great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents: Gustav and Louisa Grabow; daughter, Jenica Bohlen; son, Richard Bohlen; and her siblings: Paul Grabow, Rudy Grabow, Lloyd Grabow, Arthur Grabow, Russell Grabow, Harvey Grabow, Mabel Harms, Ernie Grabow, and Harris Grabow.

The family prefers memorials be given to the Orphan Grain Train – Milbank, or Emanuel Lutheran Preschool.