Helen Marie Karcher
February 12, 1928 - July 30, 2019

Helen Marie Karcher, nee Horn, 91, passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, after a brief illness. Helen is survived by two daughters, Deborah Albers and her husband Jim, of Walburg, Tx, and Carol Lesem and her husband Steve, of Spicewood, Texas. Helen adored her five grandchildren, Angela Albers Wetuski (Buddy) of Walburg, Tx, Benjamin Lesem (Caroline) of Denver, Co, Cassidy Lesem Ingle (Jon) of Austin, Tx, Jeremy Albers (Michelle) of Amarillo, Tx and Daniel Albers of Austin, Tx. Eleven great grandchildren were a great blessing in her life; Elizabeth, Alfred and August Wetuski, Emily and Mark Lesem, Jack, Luke and Holly Clare Ingle, and Samuel, Paige and Levi Albers.


Helen was born in Houston, Texas on February 12, 1928, to Marie and Rev. August Horn. She was the oldest of five children and is survived by her sisters Dorothy Wachsmann of Manheim, Texas, Jean Linderman of Austin Texas, and her brother, Glenn Horn (Mary Ann) of Burnet, Texas. Helen is predeceased by her sister, Vivian Albrecht Stobb. Helen married Monroe Karcher in 1949, and on May 28th of this year, shortly before Monroe's death, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Helen was a kind and caring person who loved her family and loved caring for and giving to others. In addition to enjoying her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, her large extended family brought her great joy. She volunteered at her church and was active in her church's women's organizations; she traveled extensively with Monroe, grew beautiful flower gardens, hosted fish fries and family get togethers at the family farm, golfed with Monroe and other family and friends (making a hole-in-one at Lions Municipal hole #13), and sang with the Austin Saengerrunde. Helen also loved to walk Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake), play bridge, and bake wonderful desserts. For many years, Helen chaired the annual holiday cake sale in support of Concordia University Austin, and volunteered at the Bethesda Resale Shop. Helen also loved to entertain; their home in Westlake Hills was the site of many wonderful celebrations and parties over the years.

Helen was loved dearly by all of her family and her many friends. She will always be remembered with love and gratitude and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Helen's life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Austin, on Friday, August 2, at 11AM, with a viewing beginning at 10AM. Burial will follow the service, at Austin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Helen be remembered with a memorial to the Monroe and Helen Karcher Church Worker Scholarship Fund of Concordia University Austin, or the charity of your choice.

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