Helen Marie (Armstrong) Hocker, 92, of Austin, an “angel” to her family, friends and numerous organizations, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at Presbyterian Homes in Roseville, Minn.

Helen was born on Jan. 7, 1919, in Manhattan, Kan., to George and Hazel (Richards) Armstrong. She attended Austin High School where she was a member of several clubs. Known as a studious girl with a gracious manner, Helen graduated in 1936 and went to work for Geo. A. Hormel & Co. After retiring as secretary to the treasurer in 1962, she married T. H. (Hock) Hocker and they moved to La Jolla, Calif.

After Hock’s death, Helen returned to Austin and pursued a life of service to others. A patron of the arts locally and regionally and a benefactor to many non-profit organizations, she cherished her family, her friends, and her membership in Westminster Presbyterian Church. Helen will be dearly missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Walter and Hazel Richards Armstrong; husband, Thetus Holmes Hocker; brother-in-law, Stephen Crane Wright and nephew, John Stephen Wright.

Helen is survived by her sister, Shirley Wright of Roseville, Minn.; special step-daughter, Mary Hocker Miller of Carmel, Calif. and her children and grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. Andrew M. Lindahl officiating. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the church. A private interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

The family requests memorials to the following organizations that Helen enthusiastically supported: Austin Public Library, Austin Chapter of the American Red Cross, Hormel Historic Home, the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Austin Medical Center. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.