Beno A Hellinger

He was born November 16, 1935, one of eleven children to Beno and Bessie Hellinger in Kovar, Texas. He spent his youth working on the family farm, then graduated from Smithville High School. In his senior year of high school, he was elected “Class Favorite,” which is no wonder since, though he might have seemed reserved, he made lasting connections with everyone he met.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960, most notably in Alaska working in the Army post office. Later, he used his mechanical skills at his brother Fred’s gas station and then worked as a butcher at a meat packing plant in Austin. Dad worked for thirty years for the U.S. Postal Service in Austin. As a long time member at St. Louis Parish, he was a dedicated volunteer in several ministries such as usher, money counter, and Fun Fest cake walk. He enjoyed working with the Knights of Columbus, spending many Sunday mornings making breakfast tacos and Lenten Fridays preparing the fish for Lenten fish fries with his perfected method. An active member of the KJT and RVOS, Dad served in offices for his local chapters of both organizations.

Family was so important to Beno, and that started with his meeting Jane Goertz on a blind date. Married in 1964, they settled in Austin at a house that grew along with the family. It was a special treat from Dad when he suggested the family get to eat outside on the picnic table. He orchestrated day trips to places like Enchanted Rock, San Antonio, and Marble Falls with kids piled in a station wagon or in the back of a covered truck.

Through the years, he loved working on the farm with cows and growing vegetables. Mom would say he was like a little boy once he got onto a tractor. Because he kept the farm going, when it reached being 100 years in the family, the State of Texas awarded the Hellinger Farm as a Designated Family Land Heritage Property.

He could build just about anything out of wood from small bookshelves to farm buildings, he grilled the best chicken around in his homemade bbq grill, and his special recipe smoked sausage made any meal a celebration. He started the family’s annual Fourth of July Ice Cream Crank Off which combines his love of ice cream and friendly competition with his sense of patriotism. Passing on a love for his Czech heritage to his children and grandchildren, Dad filled every Sunday with polka music. His unique sense of humor and generous hospitality made every gathering delightful for everyone.

Beno is survived by his ten children: Diane (Titus) Ashour, Catherine (Kevin) McCue, Pamela (Keith) Tabor, Paul Hellinger, Laura (John) Duckworth, Charles (Dolly) Hellinger, John (Angie) Hellinger, Linda (Hoyt) Moss, Mark (Vaness) Hellinger, and Elaine (Ryan) McGuckin. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren plus his sisters Helen Alloway

and Henrietta Meuth. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Jane Goertz Hellinger.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Cook Walden Funeral Home on Lamar Blvd. with Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Rd., Austin at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24. Burial at Kovar Cemetery at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Kovar at 3:00 p.m.