Each moment in a believer's life can be marked by love, purpose and impact, even though thoughts of the end are never far from us.

Helen Clara Drewes Madsen, age 87, died August 17, 2025 at home. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church (909 W. 33rd St., Sioux Falls, SD).

Helen, daughter of Henry and Gretchen (Meyer) Drewes was born December 27, 1937 on a farm in Moody County near Flandreau, SD. She grew up in that area and attended Tidd School before graduating from Egan High School in 1955.

She married LuVerne (Lou) Madsen on August 13, 1955 and made their home in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1970, Helen and Lou established Teem Enterprises, Inc., a national manufacturer of commercial refuse containers. She was active in the business until it was sold in 1996.

Helen was very involved in many community organizations. Her primary interest was in the area of youth, especially youth at risk. Helen served as president of the Board of Directors for Children's Home Society and was also a board member for Children's Home Foundation. She was a member of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Board of Directors and also served on the American Red Cross Board of Directors. Helen, along with her husband Lou, provided the naming gift for the Madsen Center at Augustana University and also for the Madsen House at Children's Home Society. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church where she helped to establish various programs to benefit youth.

Helen and Lou were honored to receive the South Dakota Philanthropist of the Year award in 2003. They were also inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2003 in the Business and Trades category. She was honored with a degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls.

Her memory will be cherished by her surviving three daughters, Vicki, Melanie, and Pamela of Sioux Falls, and two grandchildren, Helene and Ava, as well as many relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband LuVerne, and siblings Gertrude, Dorothy, Viola, Alice, and Robert.

Memorials can be directed to the Helen Drewes Madsen Business Scholarship at Augustana University or the Helen and Lou Madsen Scholarship Fund at Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.