Helen Lesnar

Helen Lesnar, age 2, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Sanford Medical Center, Aberdeen, surrounded by her loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Helen will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Father Jordan Samson officiating.

A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the Mass at the parish hall.

Burial will be at the All Saints Catholic Cemetery in Andover following the luncheon.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, Jan 5, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with a 7:00 p.m. liturgical wake.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Helen Laurene Lesnar was born on April 13, 2021, to Brady and Michelle (Nickolas) Lesnar in Aberdeen, SD.

Helen enjoyed stroller walks, swinging, jumping on her trampoline, dancing, playing with the doll house, caring for her baby dolls and stuffed animals, painting, drawing, cutting paper (and sometimes her clothing) into as many pieces as possible, watching Coco Melon and Daniel Tiger.

Helen's greatest joys came in caring for her baby dolls and, ultimately, her baby sister, "Conica." She was selfless, always the first to console, and loved to make others laugh. In so many pictures, she can be found smiling at the ones she loved, not at the camera. Watching her be a big sister for nearly six months was one of our greatest joys.

Helen was tough, even if she said she wasn't. She put up with hundreds of pokes, hospital stays, and visits in the last year of her life. We are so grateful to all the nurses, lab techs, doctors, and all other medical staff that have helped us in this journey. Helen didn't like what she had to go through, but she loved you all.

Helen is survived by her parents Brady and Michelle Lesnar; siblings, Robert, Henry "Hank", Elizabeth, and Veronica; paternal uncles Casey (Kelsey) Lesnar, Mike (Amber) Lesnar, Nick (Codi) Lesnar; paternal aunt Lindsey (Tracy) Lambert; maternal uncles Jon Nickolas, Jeff (Lauren) Nickolas; maternal aunt Danielle (Adam) Burke; grandparents Deb Lesnar, Tom Lesnar, Mike and Rose Nickolas, great-grandmothers Teresa "Trea" Schuring and Laurene Kaiser; and so many cousins, daycare buddies, care providers, and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her great grandfathers Robert "Bob" Schuring, Frank Lesnar, Ignatius Nickolas, and Hubert Kaiser; great grandmothers Jeanette Lesnar and Clara Nickolas-Malsam; and her daycare friend, Charlie Murano.

Helen had a rare LPIN1 genetic condition that also affected two of her siblings. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Aberdeen Catholic School System or Sanfords Children Hospital.