Helen Josephine Perry

Helen Josephine Stegeman (Deibert) Perry of Quitman Texas left this earthly life for her new life in heaven on Friday, August, 22nd, 2025. She passed away peacefully at Caraday Care Facility surrounded by her children and other family members. Helen was born in Hoxie, Kansas on March 22, 1934 to parents Xavier Francis Stegeman and Lela Dancer. She was the eldest daughter born to this union that included two half-brothers and 9 other siblings. Helen was married to Ralph Richard Deibert on June 24, 1951 by their parish priest, Father Edmond Arpin. Five children were born to their union. Helen married Wiley William Perry on June 30, 1975. From this union, a step-son was added to the family.

Helen will be fondly remembered as a loving wife and mother by her children, daughter-in-laws, and son-in-law. To her eleven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, Helen will be remembered as their sweet Grammy who freely gave caring hugs and warm smiles, hosted week long stays at her home for vacation bible school and planned adventurous excursions throughout, remembered to send birthday cards, and made them cherished quilts.

Helen graduated from Colby High School in Colby, Kansas where she played trombone in the band, and was a member of the Glee Club. From East Texas State University, Helen earned a bachelor and master in Sociology and Psychology. She has traveled to every continent except Antarctica and visited more than 100 countries as a missionary through Christ for the Nations and The Ministerial Alliance, and as a tourist. Throughout her life, she has had a passion for sharing the Gospel one-on-one and by leading both Bible Studies and Prayer Groups around the world. She was very active in the churches where Wiley served as pastor, and Church on the Rock, Quitman. She has prayed for many and found a love in her heart for anyone who crossed her path. She opened her home often to others and fed their soul as well as their body. She was an avid crafter and quilter who at one time co-owned Granny’s Knitting and Sewing Basket in Quitman, Texas with her best friend Betty Wilson. She made beautiful quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that will be treasured as family heirlooms. She also made quilts to help raise funds for an annual scholarship in her mother’s name at Colby Community College. Helen dearly loved her family and, being the eldest daughter, was as much a mother to her younger siblings as a sister. Helen was most proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were her treasure and joy. She never missed acknowledging a birthday, graduation, baptism, marriage, or birthing. She attended every milestone event she was able to. She was the special “glue” that nurtured and held this family together through everything. Not bad for a little gal from the plains of Northwest Kansas.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph Deibert, second husband Wiley Perry, daughter Lisa Marie Deibert, son Ricky Dale Deibert, step-son William Eugene Perry, sisters Alice Ruthe, Anna Fyfe, Agnes Regnier, brothers Ernest, Richard, Michael, Kenneth, and half-brothers Bob and Harry.

She is survived by one sibling, Mary Jane Sponsel; her children, Duane and Penny Deibert, Ouida Deibert, Joleen and Evan Yeager, Kevin and Stephanie Deibert; her grandchildren Emily and Cody Hart, Matthew and Jessica Deibert, Elizabeth and Bobby Eubanks, Andy and Colleen Deibert, Brittney Deibert-Pryor, Brandee Deibert, Victoria Yeager-Ham, Nathaniel Yeager, Christian and Chelsea Deibert, Daniel and Lace Deibert, and Katelyn and Andrew Kraemer; and great-grandchildren Brenna, Bailey, Harrison, Evelyn, Courtland, Cyhler, Brodie, Kolton, Madisyn, Mayci, Zachary, Audrey, Sadie, Caiden, Gavin, James, and Elise; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and godchildren.

The family would like to give special thanks to the director, nurses, and staff of Caraday Nursing Care Facility in Quitman, TX.

Helen’s family celebrates her 91 years of a life well-lived and believes that she is in heaven where her heart has always been with her Savior, Jesus, and where she has been made new.

Visitation and funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 30th at Church on the Rock, Quitman. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., and the funeral service will begin afterwards.