Donald Marlin Helmers

He was born in the small farming community of Rudd, Iowa on September 16, 1927, the youngest of seven children of Lena Pueschel and Ray Helmers. He lost his father to a farm accident when he was 14, and later graduated in the top 8 of his 8-person graduating class of Rudd High School.

Don did a short stint in the Navy, based in San Francisco, then returned to Iowa and enrolled in college using the GI Bill benefits. After graduating from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, he moved to Chicago and taught high school. Don did a short stint in the Navy, based in San Francisco, then returned

to Iowa and enrolled in college using the GI Bill benefits. After graduating from Iowa State Teachers

College in Cedar Falls, he moved to Chicago and taught high school. Don did a short stint in the Navy, based in San Francisco, then returned to Iowa and enrolled in college using the GI Bill benefits. After graduating from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, he moved to Chicago and taught high school. Don did a short stint in the Navy, based in San Francisco, then returned to Iowa and enrolled in college using the GI Bill benefits. After graduating from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, he moved to Chicago and taught high school.

There, on a blind date, he met Virginia Rose “Ginny” Lodi, a young woman from Boston who had also lost her father at an early age. He proposed on their second date and they married in April, 1954.

Later that same year, Ginny and Don put everything they had in their new Chevy and moved to Dallas, Texas, where their children Ray and Lee were born. Don worked for Republic National Bank in Dallas and later moved the family to Houston in 1965, the year the Astrodome opened, to take a job with Houston Bank and Trust.

In 1980, they made their way to Austin, where they happily lived the rest of their lives. Last year, after 63 years together, he lost his beloved Ginny and missed her terribly.

He is survived by his son, Ray Helmers and wife, Michelle O’Leary Helmers, of Leander, Texas; his daughter Lee Helmers Steiner and husband, Dr. Mark E. Steiner, of Houston; and his grandchildren, Emma Steiner, Washington, D.C., Hannah Steiner, Dallas, Kevin Helmers, Dallas and Colin Helmers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Don is also survived by his cousin, Doyle Newton, Illinois, and Doyle’s large extended family, plus many close friends from their Dallas, Houston, and Austin neighborhoods.

Don, like Ginny, was a loving and generous soul who always put others first. Throughout his life, he was always ready to help anyone who needed it. He and Ginny volunteered at, and managed for many years, the thrift shop operated by the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. In addition to his service to the church, he was also active in the Lions Club and Toastmasters.

A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, December 20 at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 2200 Justin Lane, Austin, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s honor may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 2200 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757.