Helen Fehner Obituary

Helen Annie (Tomas) Fehner, 99, of Gonzales, Texas, passed away Monday, June 30, 2025. She was born February 21, 1926, in Gonzales to the late Joe and Annie (Malatek) Tomas. Helen married Odis Fehner on April 29, 1947, and they were married 53 years until his death on April 17, 2001.
Helen grew up in Gonzales when times were hard, picking cotton and a host of other chores on her parents' farm. She attended the Old Diamond Grove School and then on to Gonzales High School where she graduated in 1943. After graduation, she moved to San Antonio and worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for a year before becoming homesick and moving back to Gonzales, where she worked for the First National Bank. After marrying Odis, she left her job in 1955 to start their family.
Helen (Nanny, as she was affectionately known) loved people and wherever she went, people knew her. She loved to cook, dance, fish, go deer hunting, watch horse racing, and go on many trail rides over the years. Helen and Odis traveled and enjoyed life. One of her favorite past times was playing canasta with her card ladies. She played canasta for over 75 years and taught her children how to play.
Helen was also known for her famous salsa. She sold salsa to many family and friends and took pride when she was awarded the 2004 Dies E Siez Salsa Champion. Nanny also loved her Czech heritage, including baking her delicious Czech style pastries, and singing her favorite Czech songs.
Helen was a devout Catholic, always praying her Rosary. She was a member of the St. James Altar Society and a 75-year member of the KJZT.
Helen is survived by her loving family and their spouses; three children, Lavonne (Kenny) Hyden, Michael (Stan) Fehner, and Brent (Shelley) Fehner; four grandchildren, Egon (Wendy) Barthels, Blake (Meggin) Elstner (Paige Johnson), Alayna Fehner, and Jace Fehner; one great-grandchild, Lincoln Elstner; and numerous other family members, nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers, Joe, Emil, Robert, Charlie, Raymond, one sister Millie Matocha, and grandson Cody Barthels.
The family will receive friends for the visitation from 5 PM until 7 PM followed by a Rosary service on Tuesday, July 8, at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, July 9, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Jason Martini as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. James Catholic Cemetery. Pall Bearers: Edward Kurtz, Daniel Tomas, David Tomas, Marcus Tomas, Matt Tomas, and Roger Tomas.
The family would like to thank Dr. Terry Eska, Dr. Commie Hisey, the staff members of PAM in Luling, Gonzales Memorial Hospital, Gonzales Home Health, The Heights of Gonzales, and the many family members and friends who took excellent care of Helen throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Helen Tomas Fehner to the Altar Society at St. James Catholic Church in Gonzales, Texas, or to the charity of your choice. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com.
Nanny loved life and will be dearly missed by all. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen, please visit our floral store.