Helen M. Etzler, 95, of Hallettsville, died peacefully in the company of her family on Wednesday, May 19, 2010. She was born on November 4, 1914 to Frank and Mary Matejek Henke in Hallettsville. On November 22, 1938, Helen married Joseph (Joe) Etzler Sr. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They made their home in Hallettsville and enjoyed their children and grandchildren. After 44 years of marriage, she lost her loving husband in February 1983.

Helen, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend too many, was a homemaker and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She belonged to the Christian Mothers Society and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She will be remembered for her strong faith, love of family, homemade bread, poppy seed rolls, and beautiful quilts. She enjoyed playing bingo, cards and dominoes with her family and friends.

Helen is survived by: 5 sons, Leroy and wife Anita, Joseph and wife Dorothy, Anthony and wife Anna, Leon and wife Nancy, Wilbert and wife Carol, all of Hallettsville; 4 daughters, Sr. Lois Marie Etzler of Victoria, Irene Fishbeck of Brookshire, Marilyn Kovalcik and husband John of Shiner, Linda Shimek and husband Tim of Moravia; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and sister Annie Henke Etzler of Hallettsville.

Helen was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband Joe; son-in-law Frank Fishbeck; grandchildren Jeffrey Fishbeck and Douglas Etzler; great-grandchildren Riley and Reese Manning; sister Angela Henke; and brothers, Charlie Henke, George Henke, Leo Henke, Hilbert Henke, Frank Henke and Bill Henke.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. Visitation: 2 pm, Friday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 7 pm, Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Officiates: Rev. David Berger and Rev. John Peters. Pallbearers (Grandsons): Leroy Etzler Jr., Travis Etzler, Joseph C. Etzler, Kevin Etzler, Aaron Etzler, Chad Fishbeck, Noel Etzler, Nathan Etzler, Neal Etzler, Darren Shimek, and Derek Kovalcik. Honorary Pallbearers (Granddaughters): Gail Zambie, Amy Provence, Angela Henneke, Nicole Sanders, Tracy Manning, Jill Cox, Sarah Kovalcik, and Jenna Shimek. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials (In Lieu of Flowers): donations can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Hospice of South Texas.