Helen Dye Jacob passed away on May 6, 2018 at her home in Houston, Texas. She was born on January 7, 1929 to Willie Buerger and Hedwig “Hattie” Kankel in Sandy Hill of Washington County, Texas. She was baptized a week after her birth, initiating her into Christ’s family. She confirmed her baptismal faith on Palm Sunday in 1943 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill.
The last of seven children, Helen grew up on the family’s farm in the Sandy Hill area. At the age of five, while the family picked cotton, she was given the task of watching over and caring for her baby cousin. From her youngest years, she gave evidence of her nature of caring for others. Throughout the years, she lived with a generous, giving spirit demonstrated with large and small gifts—all given out of a loving heart.
At age 15, she left home for Houston where she began her working life as a nanny for the Grant family, owners of the Grant Motel. For several years she also worked as a comptometer operator. But the profession she prized most was that of limousine chauffeur. Around 1973 she was hired as the first female limo driver in Houston. In this role, she drove a number of people who were famous or of note. These included Ray Kroc, founder of the McDonald’s Corporation and popular author Erma Bombeck. A photograph on the front of Houston City Magazine featured Helen in the driver’s seat of her limo.
Helen also had something of an adventurous spirit. One time, in the early 1960’s, a Houston radio station KODA—ran an essay contest asking folks to say why they’d like to ride around the city for a spectacular tour of Houston in the traffic helicopter, “KODABIRD”. Contestants were also to submit a photo and the station announcer would pick the winner. She wrote that she was a housewife with 4 kids with one often in the hospital. She wrote that she’d “enjoy a day of getting above it all.” When she won, she donned her nicest Summer dress, high heels, and sunglasses for the ride.
On a related theme, Helen loved to tell the story of when, in 1974, she also rode in the Good Year Blimp. A limo client, a network executive, was going to ride the Blimp to chart the course over the Rice football stadium in preparation for Super Bowl VIII. She told him the “KODABIRD” story on the trip to the hanger. Learning of her love for flying, he informed her that she had just “won” a ride on the Blimp!
Helen was a faithful Christian and a loyal, loving wife, mother, mother in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and Texas A&M Aggie fan. She will be missed. Her faith and love gave others hope through the kindness she showed. She’s rooting for us now on another shore and in a greater light.
Helen is preceded in death by parents: Willie and Hattie (Kankel) Buerger of Washington County, TX . Siblings: Lonnie F. Buerger, Robert Buerger, Walter Buerger, Charlie Buerger, Anita Buerger Oberhoff, and Bill Buerger. Former husband: Thomas C. Dye Jr.
She is survived by Children: Patrick T. Dye and wife Jan of New Orleans, LA; Sylinda Dye Harper and husband Gary of Ft. Worth, TX; Kathleen Dye Schwertlich and husband Bill of Katy, TX; and Michael C. Dye and wife Tina of Houston, TX. Grandchildren: Brian Benka, Garrett Harper, Tyson Harper, Emma Harper, Daniel Dye, Benjamin Dye and Eric Dye. Great grandchildren: Mack and Audrey Harper. Former husband Thomas Jacob.
A memorial Celebration of Life service will be held for her on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7901 Westview Dr., Houston, TX 77055, with Rev. Jim Berggren and Rev. Bill Schwertlich officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
