Helen K. Dutmer

August 29, 1920 – January 19, 2020

Our beloved “Memo,” Helen K. Dutmer, passed peacefully from this earth on January 19, 2020. She was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 29, 1920, the daughter of Edward F. and Ida (Borchers) Pfeil. She attended San Antonio Vocational and Technical School Class of 1938 where she obtained a degree in cosmetology. In 1944 at a USO Club dance, Helen met the love of her life, John “Jack” F. Dutmer. They married on October 24, 1945 in Battle Creek, Michigan. When Jack’s tour of duty as a WWII Army pilot ended, they returned to Helen’s treasured birthplace with her daughter, Lois.

Helen worked with Jack at their company, Jack Dutmer Industrial Lubricants, for 42 years. She also worked as a secretary for 19 years at various attorney offices and as a cosmetologist for 6 years. Helen embraced her role as a loving grandparent to Lois’ children, John, Martha and Daniel and was instrumental in their upbringing. It was in the early 1970’s while attending weekly City Council meetings that Helen discovered her voice and passion as an advocate for growth and progress on the Southside of San Antonio. Her tenacity and love for community led her to a seat on the City Council District 3 in 1977 where she served for 14 years. She kept her eye on the future while serving on the San Antonio Planning Commission, Housing Task Force, Transportation Steering Committee and the Southern Section Target 90 Commission among other civic activities. Her love for San Antonio’s heritage was apparent in her vigorous work with the Mission Neighborhood Council, The Mission Task Force, San Antonio Conservation Society and her service on the board of the SA Missions National Park. She actively participated in the renovation of four San Antonio Missions. During her tenure, Helen tirelessly supported and promoted our Fire and Police Departments along with many, many noteworthy causes. “Tell It Like It Is Helen” earned the respect of her adversaries and constituents alike. The relationships she fostered remained strong long after her departure from City Council and into her position as Bexar County Commissioner for Precinct 4 in 1991 as the first woman to serve on the court in its 200-year history. She narrowly lost her bid for re-election to Mike Novak in 1994 but continued to receive recognition and accolades from local, national and international organizations, leaders and personalities.

Helen was named Woman of the Year by the South Bexar County Chamber of Commerce in 1975 and received the 1980 Women Helping Woman Award from Soroptimist of San Antonio and the South Central Region. She was named Business Woman of the Year by the San Antonio Business and Professional Women Group in 1981, and Texas Business Woman of the year in 1982, honored with a life membership to the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron with an honorary rank of colonel. In 1985, Helen was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame. Also known as the “Margaret Thatcher of City Council,” in 1988, Helen took on a controversial campaign against building the Alamodome. An interesting 2013 interview of her recollection of that period can be found at https://therivardreport.com/the-alamodome-wrong-project-at-the-wrong-time/. She was also honored as a Life Member of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition in 1990.

Helen served on numerous Boards including Wayland-San Antonio’s Advisory Board, the Bexar County Board of Directors for Appraisal, the San Antonio Water Board’s Grievance Commission, Crime Stoppers, the San Antonio Council of Presidents and B&PW Local District. In 2011, Helen was the recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from Wayland Baptist University San Antonio with glowing recommendations from her co-Board members:

“I have lived in San Antonio for 36 years, and I cannot recall any public servant who has championed more causes that appealed to and protected the city and county constituency. We need another generation like hers that develop common sense values and strong investments of commitment into the lives of others.” - Tommy Lyons

“Name the qualities you’re looking for in a leader and Helen has them – all of them. She’s enthusiastic, creative, positive and forthright. Helen is also a master motivator. But her sincerity and genuine affection for Wayland and the students are most notable for their influence on those who serve with her. Helen imparts wisdom, stimulates thought and calls for action. She’s a doer!” - Brent Boller

Well into her 90’s, she remained a beloved figure on San Antonio’s Southside and actively served on various civic boards, including City of San Antonio’s Board of Adjustment and SAWS’s Grievance Commission. In the last 5 years since her husband Jack passed, she enjoyed being outdoors, reading the daily paper and taking care of her cats. She cherished every member of her growing family, as they did her, and was most proud of her great-granddaughter, Wendi, who earned her PhD in Criminal Justice in 2011. Helen will be remembered as a fierce opponent and a robust advocate with a sharp wit and ready humor. She truly loved her home town and was a faithful servant to the very end.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, brother Edward F. Pfeil, Jr., sister Lucille Pfeil, her loving husband of 70 years, Jack, and daughter, Lois Brackeen. She is survived by niece Shelley (Pfeil) Leister, her grandchildren - John Pollock (Paula), Martha Pollock (Roy Nentwich) and Daniel LeBlanc; great-grandchildren - Wendi Pollock (Meredith Melville), Lane Pollock, Dawn (Dupree) Goudreau (Scot), Jeffrey Depree (Alejandra), Douglas Nentwich (Brandy), Katherine Nentwich and Christopher LeBlanc; great-great grandchildren Tobias Depree, Olive Depree, William Goudreau, Margo Goudreau, Jorden Nentwich, Spencer Nentwich and Makayla Cuellar. While our hearts are heavy that she is no longer with us, we are comforted in the knowledge that Helen is now at peace, reunited in Heaven with Jack and the loved ones gone before her.

The family expresses its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Rueben with TenderCare Hospice.

A memorial service and celebration of Helen’s life will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 2 pm at Sunset Memorial Northwest Funeral Home located at 6321 Bandera Road in San Antonio, Texas.