Helen M. Debner

Helen Marie Debner, 89, passed away on January 25, 2025, at the Rehabilitation Center of Allison. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Woodley Funeral Home in Allison. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 3, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church - Vilmar in rural Greene. Helen will be laid to rest at the Vilmar Cemetery. Woodley Funeral Home of Allison is caring for Helen and her family. Click here to join the live broadcast of Helen's service on Vilmar's Facebook page
She was born on August 6, 1935, in Tama County, Iowa, to Ed and Louise (Urhammer) Kubicek. After graduating from Nashua High School, Helen earned her degree from Allen Memorial Lutheran School of Nursing. She went on to serve as Registered Nurse at the Dumont and Greene care centers.
On August 16, 1957, Helen married Kenneth "Kenny" Debner. A cancer survivor herself, Helen was an ardent supporter of Relay for Life. She also served on the Allison-Bristow School Board. Helen was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church – Vilmar in Greene, Iowa, where she sang in the choir and was actively involved with WELCA (Women of the ELCA). She took great joy in gardening, canning peaches, baking cookies and bars, and making applesauce for the annual potato pancake supper at Vilmar.
Helen enjoyed making patchwork quilts, sewing one for each grandchild, and eagerly anticipated the yearly fishing trips at Big Balsam Camp. These gatherings brought the entire family together for a week of fellowship, love, and the celebration of her birthday.
She is survived by her husband, Kenny Debner; her sons Steve (Lonna) Debner, Kent (Connie) Debner, Joel (Julie) Debner, and Mark (Brenda) Debner; grandchildren Daniel (Missy) Debner, Kristen (Nick) Messersmith, Eric Debner, Joe (Lacey) Debner, Suzy Debner, Courtney (Ian Mudd) Debner, Alex (Kendra Mallin) Debner, RaeLyn (Brandon) Iacobo, Abbie (Evan) Weaver, Ryan Debner, Rachel (Lorne) Reeves, Nathan Debner, and Matthew Debner; as well as seven great-grandchildren.
Helen's loving spirit, selfless dedication to others, and devotion to family will be deeply missed by all who knew her.