Helen Rose Didner

Helen Rose Didner, 102, of Westphalia, died on March 6, 2012 in her home in the company of family.
A rosary was held on Thursday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Church of the Visitation in Westphalia.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 9, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Visitation in Westphalia. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Westphalia.
Miss Didner was born August 24, 1909 in Westphalia to Andrew and Gertrude Rabroker Didner. She graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Westphalia and attended Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Waco, graduating as a registered nurse in 1935. After private nursing, she completed anesthesia training at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and worked as a nurse anesthetist in Alton, Illinois and then at Providence Hospital in Waco.
She entered the Army Nurse Corps on November 2, 1942 and served with the University of Texas 127th General Hospital, including years (ETO) in England and France, earning a campaign medal and two bronze stars. She separated from service on January 3, 1946 at the rank of 1st lieutenant.
She was employed at Providence Hospital on return from overseas service and worked at McClosky General Hospital (now Olin Teague General Hospital) in Temple from 1949-1971. After her retirement, she lived on her family farm in Westphalia where she enjoyed gardening, fishing, tending animals and being out in nature. She was a member of the Church of the Visitation and the Altar Society.
She is survived by a sister, Catherine Didner, of Westphalia and a brother, Al Didner, of Victoria, as well as nieces, Pat Didner of New York, NY, Kay Huggins of Chester, TX, Jo Didner of Egypt, TX and Babs Didner of Austin, TX and their families, including 3 grand nephews, 1 grand niece, 1 great grand nephew and 3 great grand nieces.
Memorials may be made to the Clerical Endowment Fund, the Westphalia Historical Society or the charity of your choice.