Frederick Christian Winkelmann, Jr.

Frederick Christian (Fred, Winkie, F.C., Uncle F and Daddy Wink) Winkelmann, Jr. died October 30, 2006 at the age of 98. He was born in Brenham, Texas on October 9, 1908 and was a life long resident. Mr. Winkelmann was predeceased by his father and mother, F. C. Winkelmann, Sr., born in Rahden, Germany, who owned Winkelmann Photography Studio and was in the photography business for 56 years, and Roselena Sprain Winkelmann; his wife, Floy Dodson Winkelmann whom he married in 1930; his daughter, Martha Jean Whitmore; and two brothers and three sisters, Alfred L. Winkelmann, William S. Winkelmann, Margaret Rubenstein, Alyne H. Winkelmann and Dorothy Marchand. He is survived by his grandsons Jym (Bruce) Reyna of Wenatchee, Washington and Colin Whitmore of Littleton, Colorado; his son-in-law Frank C. Whitmore of San Antonio, Texas; his brother Eugene C. Winkelmann of Dallas, Texas; five great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

For thirty-eight years he was employed as a social worker beginning in 1932, first with the Reconstruction Finance Corp of the federal government, which later created the state agency that became the Department of Public Welfare and today is the Department of Human Services. He retired in 1971. In retirement as during most of his life he spent a lot of time fishing.

He lived his entire life in Brenham except for the time he served in the Army Air Corp during World War II (1944-1946). He attended St. Mary’s School and Central School. He graduated from Brenham High School in 1928 and played on the 1927 football team which was undefeated in regular season play. He attended Blinn College which at that time was only an academy. Mr. Winkelmann was a life long member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church being confirmed there in 1925.

Mr. Winkelmann was a long time member of and contributor to the Washington County Fair Association serving as the director of concessions and carnival and was honored by the Association in 1984 and in 2006 when he was invited to act as Grand Marshal of the fair parade. Mr. Winkelmann was a long time supporter of the Brenham Maifest Association also directing concession and carnival and was inducted into the Maifest Hall of Fame in 1982. For many years he assumed responsibility for decorating floats. F.C. also assisted in the restoration of the carousel located at Fireman’s Park.

For at least six years F.C.. participated in the Salt Grass Trail that was revived in 1952; he drove a chuck wagon and prepared meals.

Mr. Winkelmann served faithfully and continuously on the Blue Bell Creamery Board of Directors since 1962, participating in his last Board meeting on September 21, 2006.

He was a long time supporter of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and St. Paul’s Christian Day School and Lutheran Social Services of the South having made donations for the construction of the Heath Care Center and the LaRoche Manor Assisted Living program at Kruse Memorial Lutheran Village in 1995 and 2002, in the support of the Bokenkamp Children’s Treatment Center for the construction of a swimming pool and acquisition of additional land, in support of Krause Children’s Treatment Center toward a gym and school building, and numerous other LSSS sponsored services. He also made contributions to the James Dick Foundation, Brenham Heritage Museum, The Salvation Army, Faith Lutheran School, Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library, the Boys and Girls Club including its Capital Campaign project, the City of Brenham for the construction of the Brenham Aquatic Center; and many other charities. Mr. Winkelmann also contributed to the Blinn College endowment to sponsor two scholarships in honor of his wife and daughter.

F.C. had considerable talent as an artist and decorator and as a youth he spent many vacation months around stage shows, carnival and summer resorts. Material gathered there was later used in helping stage benefit hometown talent shows. F.C. was a Boy Scout Master for 5 years; assisted with 4-H Club encampments; was a charter member of the local Jaycees and served for two years as state chairman of the Youth Welfare Committee.

The family would like to express its deep appreciation to Kara Feltus, Mentha Moore and Sally White and the wonderful nurses from Hospice Brazos Valley who took such good care of F.C. in his final months.

Visitation is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2006 at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham. Rev. Lawrence Bade and Rev. Kim Little-Brooks will officiate. Interment will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jym Reyna, Colin Whitmore, Paul Kruse, Douglas Borchardt, Fred Winkelmann and Kevin Reyna. Honorary pallbearers will be Eugene Winkelmann, Frank Whitmore, Will Winkelmann, Ed Kruse, Howard Kruse, A. W. Hodde, John Barnhill, Lawrence Hemann, Albert Hartstack, Jr., Bill Thane, Julian Weisler and W. F. Hasskarl, Jr.

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

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