Elverda Draehn Kiecke

Elverda Draehn Kiecke, 81, died October 27, 2012 at Scott and White Hospital, Brenham.

Elverda was born on January 28, 1932 in the Salem community to Ernest and Elsie (Zander) Draehn. Her mother died suddenly when she was 22 months old. She and her father then lived with her Zander grandparents in the “round house” across from Salem church. At the age of five, her father married Lenora Kramer. She was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church where she was baptized on March 29, 1931 by Pastor William Utesch and confirmed on April 1, 1945 by Pastor A. J. Mohr. She was married there on February 12, 1950, to Howard Kiecke. She was educated at Salem School and graduated from Brenham High School in 1948. She attended Blinn College.

Before her marriage, she worked at Farmers’ Merchant Lumber Yard and Holleman Insurance. She later was the purchasing director at St. Jude Hospital. She was active in the Salem Luther League and served many offices in the Dorcas Circle of the Ladies’ Aide (Women of the Church). She also was the funeral food committee chairperson and church organist. She established the Salem Junior Lutherans and directed the Salem Junior Choir and later the Salem Senior Choir. Her hobbies included gardening, canning and baking. She was noted for her sugar cookies, pickles, and barbeque sauce. After her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband. Their trips included Europe, Canada and most of the United States.

She is preceded in death by her husband, her father and mothers, granddaughter Olivia Kiecke and brother-in-law and wife Albert and Leona Kiecke.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law Sharion and Robert Tanner of Pflugerville and Marilyn “Susie” and Randy Ullrich of Brenham and son and daughter-in-law Val and Libby Kiecke of Brenham; grandchildren Bethny and Matt Klepac, Brice and J.J. Olivier, Adam and Lauren Kiecke, Aaron Kiecke, Rachel Kiecke, Abby and Jeraid Wood, Jeremy and Amanda Ullrich and Remy Clay; great-grandsons Alexander Olivier and Ryland Klepac; brother-in-law and wife Elroy and Jeanette Kiecke.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, October 31, at Brenham Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 1, at 2 pm at Salem Lutheran Church with Pastor Toby Burk presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Salem Lutheran Church Seminary Fund, Lutheran World Relief or a favorite charity.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com.