Helen Freida (Gildemeister) Van Liere was born on February 13, 1937, in Sioux Falls to Ernest and Anna (Kahrs) Gildemeister. She was the youngest of eight children. Helen attended Washington High School and graduated in 1955. After graduating, she worked for Barnett Insurance, the Veterans' Administration, and the Social Security Administration before retiring in 1978 to stay home and raise her daughters, Lori and Dawn.

Helen met Melvin Van Liere at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls, and then they married on August 11, 1961. They started their life together in Colton, SD, and settled in Sioux Falls in 1966. They enjoyed bowling in a league together for over 30 years at the Sport Bowl. They made memories taking family vacations every year to the Black Hills, Okoboji, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Adventureland, New York and other destinations. Most of the travel was done in either a motorhome or a conversion van, with the kids always asking," How much further?"  They spent five winters in McAllen, TX, enjoying the warm weather and spending time with friends.

She was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church and she put her sewing skills to good use by volunteering at the church for 25 years, helping with the quilt-making. She enjoyed the many friendships she made there over the years and the satisfaction of making quilts and donating them to various causes.

She was a masterful shopper and always on the hunt for a bargain, going to garage sales and auctions, looking for treasures. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and was always teasing her family that she wanted to put on her tombstone, "I told you I was sick!"

She is survived by her daughters, Lori (Troy) Bauder of Larchwood, IA, and Dawn (Mike) Ketterling of Inver Grove Heights, MN; grandchildren, Rachel (Carson) Brolsma, Grace Bauder (Mason Rozeboom), Sara Bauder, Peyton Ketterling, and Jaxon Ketterling; and great-grandson Micah Brolsma. Helen is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Esther Van Liere, June Van Liere, and Elaine Van Liere, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; her parents, Ernest and Anna Gildemeister; her brothers, Heine, Helmuth, Gunter, and Harvey; her sisters, Elfreida, Margaret, and Mildred; and her parents-in-law, Peter and Dena Van Liere.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Miller Southside Chapel, located at 7400 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD. A funeral service will take place at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, located at 327 S. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD. Helen will be laid to rest at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.