HELEN LORRAINE DOLL WEYRICH
Oct. 14, 1929–July 25, 2025
We are sad to announce the passing of 95-year-old, long-time Newcastle, Wyoming, resident and beloved teacher, Helen Weyrich.
She was born in her grandmother’s bedroom on Oct. 14, 1929, near Custer, South Dakota, during the Great Depression.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Paul Weyrich; her parents, Paul and Emma Doll;
two brothers, Ralph Doll and Paul Doll; and two sisters, Mary Linde and Bertha Johnson.
Helen is survived by her sister, Shirley Davidson; her brother, David Doll; three children, Debbie (Bob) Mathews, Jessie Canaday, and Kraig (Stacy) Weyrich; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Helen started school in 1937 at the Alkali School, a one-room schoolhouse with a wood stove for heat and two outhouses in the back. She attended Custer High School from 1944 to 1948 and graduated as valedictorian. She was awarded a full scholarship to South Dakota State College in Brookings and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education with minors in science and business education.
Helen began her education career at Spearfish High School teaching physical education. During this time, she found time to earn her private pilot’s license in 1953 and even flew with legendary pilot Clyde Ice. Additionally, she taught in a rural school in Mead County and elementary schools in Rapid City and Piedmont, South Dakota.
Helen married her husband Paul on Oct. 3, 1954, and they moved to Newcastle, where she taught school for 30 years at Gertrude Burns Elementary School. She got to shake hands with President Gerald Ford and bagged her first of three moose in 1976. She was the first woman elected to the Newcastle City Council in 1978 and also served as the President of the Newcastle Education Association.
Helen and Paul developed and built several trailer courts in Newcastle and the street Weyrich Drive is named after them. They also developed 80 acres on Beaver Creek to provide a treasured place to find solace, fondly known as the Busted W.
Following retirement from teaching, she was able to travel to many exciting places to include Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, Niagara Falls, and Canada. But of course, her favorite place to be was right here
in Wyoming.
Helen was also an avid quilter, making quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Her final years were spent at Mondell Heights, where she made many friends, enjoyed BINGO and the many activities there, as well as the field trips, and the daily “made to order” breakfast.
Helen wanted to be cremated and buried with Paul at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis. Her Celebration of Life Service will be held on Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. at Meridian Mortuary in Newcastle. Following the service, there will be lunch at Grazers.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railway Ave, Newcastle, WY 82701 or expressions of sympathy may also be made online at meridianmortuary.com.