Tracy Frances was born in Madison, Nebraska on October 10, 1908 to George and Frances Helmberger, where she joined an older sister, Emma. In 1913 another sister, Madlyn, came along. She was premature and weighted only 3 pounds. Tracy said they put her in a shoebox packed with cotton and placed her on the oven door to keep her warm. She was a very special little girl.
Tracy also recalls the 4th of July celebration in Lucas where her mother and other neighboring women made homemade ice cream. She said there were so many teams of horses that they tied them to the buggy wheels because there were no more hitching posts. She also told about attending mass in Lucas as a little girl. She said if it was really cold, her folks would go to church with the team and buggy and the three little girls would stay at home.
When Tracy was seven years old, their mother died of childbirth complications along with an infant son. Emma was ten and Madlyn was three. This was the first of many heartaches in her life. The three girls went back to Humphrey, Nebraska and stayed with their Aunt and Uncle. Tracy said there were many tears when their Dad came to visit them. He later remarried and came back to Lucas, and they were together once again. However, they were not on their stepmothers list of favorite people. Both Emma and Tracy finished the 8th grade at the Smith School in Lucas which they walked 3 miles to attend.
In December of 1919, Tracy said her Dad told her to come to the barnhe wanted to talk to her. He said, Tracy, Im going to die before the grass gets green; I dreamed about your Mother last night and she was so beautiful. She said that I should come to her; because you girls can take care of yourselves. So, Tracy, Im leaving it up to you to keep the girls together: He passed away on April 2, 1920 of a massive heart attack. Needless to say, the ground was white with snow. Tracy said, I know he died of a broken heart. The girls then stayed at the Larson Hotel in Burke. Tracy and Emma worked so Madlyn could attend high school.
Tracy married Joe Kirsch on October 1, 1927 at 5:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church in Burke. The nuptials were performed by Msgr. William Connaughtan. After the ceremony, Tracy went to work at Lutts Store and Joe at the bakery. So much for the honeymoon! Later on she worked at the telephone office and also for Dr. R.J. Quinn.
In 1929 they bought a farm north of Burke, from Fred Dykast. Then the Dirty Thirties hit and Tracy said that if Fred wouldnt have helped them; they would have lost the farm. When the dust storms cameand there were manyshe said you would have to wash the dishes before you could eat.
Joe and Tracy were blessed with two daughters, Phyllis, born in 1931 and Joann in 1944. They worked hard together; farming, gardening, and raising Hereford cattle which had been Joes dream. The cattle business was successful and through that they won many awards and made a host of life-long friends.
On December 12, 1957, Joe passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack leaving Tracy with her daughter Joann who was only twelve years old. With the help of her daughter Phyllis and her Husband Walt, Harlan Buck Doyletheir hired man, they were able to keep things going.
On February 12, 1966, she married Herb Blume of Armour, South Dakota. The nuptials were performed by Rev. James Tunnisenn at Sacred Heart Church. They moved to a farm south of Armour, where they built a new home and lived for seven happy hears. People would often pull off the highway to stop and admire their beautiful yard and flowers. Herb passed away on August 17, 1973 of a heart attack while working in the field and she was alone again.
One sunny day in the spring of 1977, she cruised into Burke and told us girls she wanted to show us something. That something was a couple of lots at the northwest edge of Burke. She said, Well, what do you think of this location" We replied, What are you going to do" And she said, Im coming back to Burke to build a house. Phyllis and I were thinking, she must have lost her mind; but needless to say, she enjoyed that home for 31 years. On December 28, 1980, she married Art Handel of Scotland, South Dakota. After a few years, they went their separate ways. Sometimes things dont work out the way you planned.
On September of 2008, she moved to Whispering Pines; but not without a struggle. She loved it there because they spoiled her, and she loved the attention. On October 10, 2008, she celebrated her 100th birthday, which was also the Centennial celebration of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The girls hosted an open house for her birthday; she was so happy, and so many friends and relatives came to help her celebrate. She even danced with her grandsons. October 10, 2010, was yet another milestone in her life; she not only turned 102 years old, but now she had celebrated 2 birthdays on the date of 10-10-10, which very few people do. We played 3 games of pitch that day and you can guess who won 2 of them!
In late October of 2010, she suffered some health problems and moved to the Butte Nursing Home, where she resided until November 21, 2010. She passed away at Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, SD on November 26, 2010.
Tracy was a proud and stubborn lady. She was a devoted Catholic, a firm believer in the Ten Commandments, a tough pitch player, and a hard core Democrat. She said that without hard work, determination, and her faith in God, she never could have had 100 years of memories, good and bad.
So now with heavy hearts, we will say our final farewells to you, our beloved Mother, and our best friend. You have been there for us for so long and we have been truly blessed. We will try to follow the life style you have shown us; but those are big shoes to fill. We know that now your work on Earth is done and that God has set a special place for you.
We are going to miss your sweet smile and sunny disposition. We will never forget your favorite remark- Well, you know Im not 100 anymore, Im 102!Tracy was preceded in death by her parents, George & Francis; her sisters Emma Herris and Madlyn Thompson; three infant brothers; her husbands, Joe Kirsh, Herb Blume and Art Handel; her son-in-law, Walt Schonebaum; one grandson, Jerry Schonebaum; and two great-grandsons: Miles Schonebaum and Curtis Dobesh. Tracy is survived by her daughters: Phyllis Schonebaum of Bonesteel, SD; and Joann (Stan) Liewer of Burke, SD; six grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, thirty-six great-great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a rosary on Monday at 7:00 PM at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both of the services at the church.