Pflugerville's Hebbe devoted herself to giving

Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read
In 2011, Janelle Hebbe was named the Statesman's Volunteer of the Year. Hebbe, who died April 17, made fleece blankets for babies who were baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pflugerville.
In 2011, Janelle Hebbe was named the Statesman's Volunteer of the Year. Hebbe, who died April 17, made fleece blankets for babies who were baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pflugerville.

Janelle Hebbe, a pillar of the Pflugerville community who was once named the Austin area's top volunteer, died on Wednesday, April 18. She was 80.

In Pflugerville, she served as an officer with the Heritage House Museum Partners since its inception and was a volunteer at the Public Library and was on the board of directors for the Friends of the Library. Hebbe also was a charter organizer and volunteer for Faith in Action, which is now Senior Access, a nonprofit that provides rides and assistance to senior citizens.

She also volunteered for Hospice Austin and as an usher for the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and for Senior Access in Round Rock and on the auxiliary board for the Trinity Care Center in Round Rock. Hebbe also made quilts for children in Africa, supported breast cancer fundraisers, and spearheaded multiple programs at Immanuel Lutheran Church. In 2011, she was named by the Statesman as the Volunteer of the Year for Central Texas.

"It keeps you going, keeps you alive," Hebbe told the newspaper then. "It gets you outside of yourself. It reminds you it's a big world out there and you're a part of that."

She was raised on a Pflugerville farm, on which her father grew cotton, corn and other crops. Her mother was a registered nurse. She graduated from Pflugerville High School and Texas Lutheran College.

Hebbe said she had more time to volunteer than some people because she is not married and has no children, so she's always tried to pitch in where it's needed. While working at the Travis County sheriff's office as a records supervisor, she helped with the department's Brown Santa program. Her involvement in mission trips and extended travel reflected her deep Christian beliefs of helping others.

A celebration of life service will take place beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 500 Immanuel Road, with visitation at Beck Funeral Home, 4765 Priem Lane, from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Pflugerville's Hebbe devoted herself to giving