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Helen LaRayne Cahill, 100, of Kimball, SD passed away Sunday, October 26, 2014 at the Aurora-Brule Nursing Home in White Lake, SD. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 4, 2016 at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Kimball. A Committal Service will follow at St. Margaret’s Catholic Cemetery.

Helen LaRayne (Jones) Cahill was born in Aurora County, South Dakota on July 8, 1914 to William Henry Jones and Bridget Loretta (O'Neill) Jones. She was very proud of being born to parents who both came directly from Ireland and of her Irish descent. She grew to adulthood during the depression years and often talked of the exploits of her siblings. Of course, since she was the youngest of four girls in the family, she was never the one responsible for the mischief and practical jokes. She and her sister Bessie would drown out gophers and sell their tails to secure five cents each to attend Saturday night movies. They also crawled through a storeroom window where their Mom had stored a large amount of baked goods in preparation for a very important family event. They ate all the cookies and both became ill. Helen attended Penny Rural School in Aurora County and graduated from Plankinton High School in 1932. She then attended Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell, South Dakota where she attained a teaching certificate. Her aunt Sarah O'Neill and her brother, Parker Jones were extremely supportive of her efforts. Helen later taught rural schools in Aurora County. She often talked about those years when she boarded with families near the school and had students who were older than she. She also jokingly often mentioned her salary of $45 per month. She attained her Associates Degree from Wessington Springs Junior College in 1939 and was only a few hours short of a BS Degree from the University of South Dakota.

On January 6, 1940, Helen was married to Leonard Cahill at St. Margaret's Church, in Kimball, South Dakota. To this union two children were born: Nancy Leigh and David. She was very dedicated to her family. Her husband died in 1991. She and Leonard operated several businesses in Kimball. They purchased the Kimball House Hotel in 1944, selling it in 1958. They also built the Star Motel and were Star Route mail contract carriers beginning in 1937. The route was from Kimball to Gann Valley to Bailey, South Dakota and continues to be in the Cahill family and is delivered by their daughter. Helen returned to teaching in rural schools in Brule County for about 20 years. In later years, she was often approached by people reminding her she had been their teacher. It would be very unusual for her not to remember them. She was presented an award “For Outstanding Services to the Kimball School District” in 1979. She will be remembered by all as a strong supporter of the underdog and those considered less fortunate. She had strong opinions that all should be treated equally and be given every opportunity to improve themselves. Her sharp sense of humor was unique and thought provoking. Her truly independent spirit enabled her to remain in her own home until 2013. She was a strong supporter of education and a lifelong member of the South Dakota Teachers Association. She felt that the small rural schools were what held communities together and continued family and community values. She enjoyed reading, painting and playing cards and was a member of the Brainy Bridgett's Card Club in Kimball for many years. She and Leonard enjoyed dancing in many ballrooms and dance halls in the area. They spoke often of dancing to Guy Lombardo and Lawrence Welk's Novelty Band, Hotsy Totsy Boys, and finally the Honolulu Fruit Gum Band before they became the Lawrence Welk Champagne Orchestra. She was interested in youth programs and always in attendance at her children's activities. She and other parents ran a lunch stand at early youth baseball games with the proceeds going to support the expenses of the team. Helen's commitment to the community and family was recognized by then Governor Walter Miller who issued a proclamation designating July 10, 1994 as Helen Jones Cahill Day.

Those who will cherish her memory are: her daughter, Nancy Koranda and husband, Robert of Kimball, their daughter, Corlina and Travis Glasgow and their children: TJ, Tyleigh, Robbie and Reece of Tuscaloosa, AL and her son, David Cahill and wife, Roberta of Pierre, and their son, Dan Cahill of Tucson, Arizona.

Family members who preceded her in death were: her parents, William Henry Jones and Bridget (O'Neill) Jones; husband, Leonard Cahill; sisters: Ruth (Lornie) Lutz, Catherine (Clinton) Straw and Bessie (Leo) Grambihler; brothers: Edmund (LaVera) Jones, Parker (Peggy and Evelyn) Jones, Richard (Hilda) Jones and Arthur “Bud” (Mary) Jones; and great-granddaughter, TaRyah LaRayne Koranda.

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