James Helms, 83, of Webster, SD died Sat. Sept. 28, 2013 at Prairie Lakes Hospital, Watertown.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Christ The King Catholic Church, Webster. Burial will be in St. Otto's Cemetery, Webster.

Visitation will be from 2-5 Tuesday, October 1 at Coester Funeral Home than continuing at the church with the Rosary at 7. Visitation will resume again one hour prior to the services at the church.

Jim was born on July 27, 1930 in Waubay, SD to Don and Betty (Cook) Helms. He attended school in Waubay graduating in 1948. Jim was the youngest of 3 children, all boys.

Jim married Helen Rumpza at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grenville, SD on June 6, 1950. Jim worked as a Civil Engineering Field Tech in the Engineering Division of the South Dakota Dept of Highways for 38 years until retiring in 1988.

Jim loved waterfowl hunting and ice fishing; waterfowl hunting in particular with his boys and extended family and friends. While dad spent most of his hunting time in Day County, he enjoyed numerous trips to hunt Canada geese on the Missouri River in Pierre.

In retirement, Jim devoted much of his time volunteering with various civic and church organizations, including; Board member at the Day County Museum of Wildlife, Science, and Industry; City Council member; Webster Arts Council; Chamber of Commerce; RSVP Program; Meals on Wheels; Christ The King Building and Grounds Committee. Jim assisted in the development and building of the Webster Soccer Fields and the new Webster Baseball Complex.

Jim enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, including baseball, football, basketball, and high school sports. In particular, Jim was a fan of the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. Jim was an avid fan of crossword puzzles, religiously working 2 newspaper puzzles per day. Jim and Helen enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life is his loving wife of 63 years, Helen, of Webster, SD; Sons Jim(Tracy) Helms of Waseca, MN; Rob (Colleen) Helms of Waseca, MN; 7 grandchildren Carol Gifford; Spencer, Mitchell, and Ally Helms; Theo, Joey, and Maddie Helms; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: his parents, daughter Kathleen Gifford of Webster, SD; brother Forrest Helms of Fargo, ND and brother Don Helms of Watertown, SD.