Helen Duhamel

Helen S. Duhamel (November 26, 1904 – November 8, 1991) was an American businesswoman and broadcaster. She was best known for saving the Duhamel Company from bankruptcy and establishing a cluster of radio and television stations in western South Dakota and Nebraska in the United States.

Early life and education Helen Duhamel completed her formal education at St. Agnes Academy in Alliance, Nebraska.Helen Duhamel was born on November 26, 1904, in Windsor, Missouri, and she moved to northwestern Nebraska when she was two years old. She grew up on a cattle ranch on the White River north of Chadron. Her schooling began at St. Mary's Catholic School in O'Neill, Nebraska, and was completed at St. Agnes Academy, Alliance, Nebraska.

Career The Duhamel Company Marrying Bud introduced her to the Duhamel family business, which had started as a hardware store in Rapid City in the early twentieth century. Selling everything except groceries and threshing machines, the Duhamel Trading Post specialized in saddle making, and a letter of commendation from the President of the United States for the public service work of the Duhamel stations during the June 1972 Black Hills flood. She was selected for the South Dakota Broadcasters' Association Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Nebraska Broadcasters' Association Hall of Fame in 1992.