Helen Funston, age 77, passed away on March 31, 2024, with family and friends by her side. Helen was born to Irving and Ruth (Will) Funston on August 9, 1946, in Bismarck, ND. Helen’s mother was a strong and gentle advocate for Helen through her life.
Helen loved going to the annual Elks Camp Grassick in Dawson, ND. She holds the record for the longest attending camper there, fifty years! She received residential, vocational, and recreational services from Housing, Industry and Training (HIT) starting in the mid 1980s.
Helen loved shopping, winning at Bingo, seeing the bright lights of the casino, eating out, visiting with everyone, and celebrating her birthday with family and friends. Helen enjoyed her retired life starting in 2020 when she moved to Terra Vallee in Mandan. The staff embraced her and became some of her favorite people in life.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Donald, her sister Grace Brown, and brother-in-law Thomas Brown. Helen leaves behind two sisters, Leitha (LeRoy) Geist, Bismarck; Judy Beck, Fargo; six nieces and nephews, Douglas (Annette) Goehring, Bismarck; Cheryl (Brian) Olson, Virginia Beach, VA; Karen (Jesse) Rodenbough, Morgan, UT; Robin Geist, Minot; Angela (Michael) Vincent, Bismarck; and Stacy (Tammy) Goehring, Menoken, ND; and last but not least, 16 great nieces and nephews and 15 great great nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home, 3723 Lockport Street, Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elks Camp Grassick, P.O. Box F, Dawson, ND 58428, or online