Helen Catherine Debner

Helen Catherine Debner

Helen Catherine Debner entered eternal rest with the Lord on March 16, 2018 in Castroville, Texas at the age of 87, following a short bout with cancer. Her passing occurred peacefully at her home surrounded by her family.
Helen was born at home on her family’s dairy farm in rural Wisconsin, near Sturgeon Bay, on March 5, 1931 to Joseph and Catherine Korinek (nee Konop), the youngest of four children. Her mother Catherine died shortly after Helen’s birth. Helen then went to live with, and was later adopted by, her uncle and aunt, Edward and Esther Konop. Edward died in June 1943, and Esther moved with her children to Marshall, Texas in January 1945, and then to San Antonio in August 1946. Helen graduated from Ursuline Academy, class of 1949. Upon graduation, she worked for Southwestern Bell and later for Saint Mary’s University, where she met her future husband, Donald William Debner. They were married on December 27, 1952 in San Antonio.
With her husband Don, she raised nine children, supporting them and their school activities by filling many volunteer roles. As her children grew older, she cared for babies in her home for over twenty years, and became affectionately known as Granny Helen. She was an OASIS reading tutor at Passmore Elementary for fifteen years. As a life-long Catholic, Helen practiced her faith with dedication and devotion. She served in several capacities at St. Louis Catholic Church, including bereavement ministry and also cared for altar server robes. She was a longtime member and officer of St. Ann’s Altar Society.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her siblings, Joseph Korinek, Jr., Edward Korinek, Grace Korinek Holschbach and Patricia O’Dean.
She is survived by her brother, Edward Konop of Austin; children and their spouses, Barbara and Jim Nay of Buda, Maureen Hardy of San Antonio, Michael and Colleen Debner of Austin, Tom and Heidi Debner of Howe, John Debner of San Antonio, Stephen and Theresa Debner of San Antonio, Pat and Donna Debner of San Antonio, William “Billy” Debner of Castroville, Jennifer and Chad Marty of Castroville; 19 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 2:00 to 5:30 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, followed by the Holy Rosary that evening at 7:00 pm at St. Louis Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection will be Friday, March 23, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Louis Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in Helen’s memory to either Moye Center or Castroville Public Library.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.