Helga’s Corner

Helga Hildegard (neé Pörtner) von Schweinitz 9 March 1937 to 8 June 2019

Helga’s Corner Tabs

  • About Helga:  Written about Helga, including autobiography
  • Written By Helga:  Written and published by Helga, may be finished posthumous
  • Written For Helga:  About Helga’s hobbies and interests written posthumous from her notes

Helga Hildegard von Schweinitz (neé Pörtner) was born in 1937 in Herford Germany and passed away on 8 June 2019, in Pflugerville Texas.  After passing the “Abitur” in 1957 and at the age of twenty, she decided to obtain a work visa and stay with family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Helga fell in love with another recent German immigrant, Hans von Schweinitz, and on 1 November 1958 they married.  They remained married until Hans’s death on 26 August 2015. For the first twenty years of their marriage, Hans was in the US Air Force, and they lived in several countries, and they eventually came to Austin, Texas, in 1975 because Hans was stationed at Bergstrom AFB. In 1979 Hans retired from the US Air Force and they stayed in Austin.  After Hans’ retirement they began a second career.  They would buy run-down houses and fix them up and either kept them as rentals or resell the homes.

While her children were small, Helga continued her education and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of South Carolina with a Degree in Education.  Helga taught foreign languages as a certified teacher in several states. 

Helga has published in German and in English, including a three book series, Helga’s Corner, with tongue-in-cheek observations on the German language and culture.  Helga has also contributed articles to various national and historic magazines.

Helga’s interest in people and history included volunteering in many venues.  She was very active with the German-Texan Heritage Society (GTHS), where her knowledge of all things German could be useful, especially since Helga can decipher the old German script used in many immigrants’ documents and letters.  Helga became a member of GTHS in 1980 and she was director on the board for many years and President of the German Free School Guild for two years.  Helga also established the Thursday lunch time “Stammtisch” at the German Free School, which is still being held.  On 7 May 2009 Helga was presented with the “Federal Republic of Germany Friendship Award” for her many years of volunteer involvement in promoting friendly relationships between Germans and Americans.  Helga was also active with the Austin-Koblenz Sister City Alliance.

Helga and her husband, Hans, enjoyed traveling and experiencing different cultures.  They joined Friendship Force International and stayed with families in Chile, Brazil, the Argentines, Japan and European countries.  They really enjoyed hosting visitors from several continents.