Ethel Sommer Kolkhorst

Ethel Sommer Kolkhorst, 85 of Brenham, passed away Saturday, June 12, 2010 in College Station Medical Center.

She was born August 24, 1924 in Independence, Texas to parents Fred Conrad and Haddie (Pohlmeyer) Sommer. Ethel was baptized November 15, 1924 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church of William Penn and confirmed September 25, 1938 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Brenham by Rev. Arthur Hartmann. She attended William Penn School and was a graduate of Brenham High School and Blinn College. After college, she was employed by Brenham Wholesale Grocery Company. On September 2, 1945, Ethel was married to Raymond A. Kolkhorst in St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill. She then became a homemaker and cared for her family.

Ethel brought joy to those around her. She and her husband loved dancing and were members of The Shufflers dance club. She enjoyed bowling, yard work and card games especially bridge. Ethel was active in her church at St. Paul’s having been leader of Junior Lutherans, director of Vacation Bible School, chairman of “The Messenger” mail crew, member of the altar guild, Circle Bible Study, and the Personnel Committee.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Raymond Kolkhorst on June 12, 1980, brothers Conrad Sommer and Floyd Sommer, sister Dorothy Sommer and brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Kolkhorst.

Her loving family includes: daughter and son-in-law, Dottie and John Schaer, Jr. of Brenham; grandson, John Schaer, III and his wife Jenny of Chappell Hill; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marilyn Sommer and Bernice Kolkhorst both of Brenham, Harold and Johnnie Mae Kolkhorst of Houston; Lucille and Bill Rathke of Conroe; numerous nieces, nephews; caregivers Sharon McZeal and Chris Randle.

Visitation with the family will be Monday, June 14th from 6-8 p.m. in Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Graveside service will be Tuesday, June 15th at 9:30 a.m. in Prairie Lea Cemetery with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastors Lawrence Bade and Phil Fenton officiating. Pallbearers will be Rick Buls, Robert Mikeska, Billy Scheffer, Stephen Scheffer, Walt Schoenvogel, Samuel Sommer, Stanley Sommer, David Stegent, and Larry Tegeler.

Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Christian Day School, St. Paul’s TV Ministry or your charity of choice.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979-836-3611 To send condolences to the family visit www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com.