Mary Helen Mobley, Winner, SD, formerly of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, was called home on Friday, January 8, 2010 at the age of 94 years.

Mary Helen Thompson was born on February 16, 1915, at Vibbard, Missouri, the daughter of Sterling Price and Jennie May (Covey) Thompson. She grew up and attended school at Polo, Missouri.

Helen married Gene Scott Jackson, and to the union one daughter, Phyllis Jean was born. The couple divorced before Phyliss was born and Helen and the baby became the foster children of Carlos and Jessie Albright. Helen later went to work for Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator, until her retirement.

On September 24, 1952, Helen was united in marriage to Chester “Chet” Mobley in a ceremony at Clarinda, Iowa. They bought a home in Excelsior Springs, where they lived until failing health made it necessary for them to move to SD to be near family.

Helen and Chet loved to travel and even though they could fly anywhere, courtesy of Trans World Airlines, from which Chet had retired, they chose to travel the American highways, enjoying the beauty of all 48 of the continental United States. Helen especially loved the Oregon Coast, where they spent many Septembers.

After her retirement from Southwestern Bell, Helen began making quilts and pillows for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also spent hundreds of hours creating beautiful “Apache Tears” beaded necklaces.

Christmases were very special when the Mobley’s came to SD. Those times are among the volumes of memories, written by Helen for her descendants, beginning when she was a child in the early 1900’s.

On August 7, 2007, the Mobley’s came to SD. Osteoporosis and Alzheimers had begun to take their toll on Helen’s health, so she made her home at the Winner Regional Long Term Healthcare Center. She became known to everyone at the facility as “Mama,” endearing herself to many of the nursing staff. Even though Alzheimers had changed her character, she tried to remain a lady, insisting on wearing her hat when she went to dinner.

After many pain-filled years and especially the last few days, at the moment she left us, her eyes opened wide, and a look of pure joy was there as she saw the face of her Lord.

We’ll miss you, Mama.

Left here to celebrate her life are her daughter, Phyllis Jean Littau, Mission, Grandchildren – Teena (George) Shippy, Colome, Curt (Amy) Littau, Carter, Teddi (Todd) Martell, Pierre, Mike (Tammy) Littau and Lexann Littau, Casper, WY; great-grandchildren – Sully & Casey Jo Shippy, Gracie, Dusti, Chance, Tony & Shay Littau, Hunter, Jessi & Chloe Martell, Pierre, Brendon (Brooke) LIttau & Lindsey (Matt) Bell, Casper, WY, great-great-grandchildren – Kiera Littau, Casper & Emma Lou Ella Martell, Pierre.

Preceding her in death were her parents; Chet her husband of 55 years; daughter, DeAnn (Mobely) Littau; a grandson, Ray Allen Littau; great-granddaughter, Samantha Nelsen; and her brothers, Ernest & Raymond Thompson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial will be in the Winner Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.