Helen Lydia Kainer's Obituary
Helen Chunda Kainer, 85, of Pearland, TX passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, in The Woodlands, TX.
She was born in Floresville, TX on 8/1/1940 to Joseph and Ludmilla Chunda. She grew up in Shiner, TX and graduated from Shiner High School in 1959. She then went to work in Downtown Houston at the Federal Reserve.
On July 1, 1961, she married Daniel Kainer and had two children, Denise and Danny. She babysat 5 other children for several years and then began working at J. Frank Dobie High School as the switchboard operator then was the head of the attendance office. She was an Executive Secretary for the Gifted and Talented Program and then promoted to Executive Secretary to the Associate Superintendent of Secondary Curriculum, Mr. Roger Woest at Pasadena ISD. She retired in 1995. Before and after retiring, she was a member of a very friendly and prayerful Pasadena ISD Bunco Group for 25 years, she loved traveling with her friends to many places including Alaska, Hawaii, South Dakota, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Woods Hole, MA with her granddaughter, Kendra. Helen and her family made many happy and beautiful memories vacationing with close family friends, The Nelson's, the Radio Road group and close friend, Lisa Diese. She is a cancer survivor having fought breast cancer twice.
She was a woman of great faith and very active in her spiritual life. She was involved with St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church as a parishioner working with the Altar Society as well as being a Eucharistic Minister for close to 30 years. She then became a member of St. Helen's Catholic Church in Pearland for approximately 25 years where she was involved with Catholic Daughters of America Court #2330, a Eucharistic Minister to nursing homes, involved with KJZT organization and Super Seniors, made rosaries with the Rosary Group, and attended many Bible Study sessions.
Helen's advice to her grandchildren as published in her autobiography is:
"Be Kind
Be Helpful to Others
Work Hard
Do what you enjoy doing
Take time to enjoy life."
In her autobiography, Helen also stated her thoughts on the meaning of life:
"Always listen to what God is telling you.
Sometimes it's years before you know what he is guiding you to do.
Be thankful for what you have and God's guidance."
Kenneth Hanslik commented that, "she was a good role model for a mother-in-law.
Kendra Peter, her granddaughter, stated, "Our grandmother lived boldly and loved deeply. With quiet strength, unwavering courage, and a spirit of adventure, she journeyed through life with grace and determination. Grounded by a deep and abiding faith, she was a source of wisdom, comfort, and inspiration to me and everyone that knew her. I would not be the person I am today without her. She will be sorely missed."
Her grandson, Keith Hanslik, stated, "She was a granny full of both grace and grit. She was always gentle and kind yet so determined!"
Helen is survived by a daughter, Denise Hanslik and husband, Kenneth, a son, Dr. Daniel Kainer, Jr. and wife, Cheryl. She had three grandchildren, Lydia Lemoine, Kendra Hanslik Peter and husband, Keith; Keith Hanslik and wife, Jessica. She had two great grandchildren, Aurelius Peter, and Aneshka Peter.
She is also survived by a brother, John Chunda and wife, Joyce and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Kainer, brother, Jerome Chunda, and sister Georgia Pokluda.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026, at St. Helen's Catholic Church in Pearland, TX. A rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m., Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. with a reception following at Helena Hall.
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery in High Hill, TX (Schulenburg) It's the cemetery directly behind St. Mary's Catholic Church in High Hill.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Helen's Catholic Church or a charity of their choice.
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