Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Lauter

Gerald “Jerry” Lauter, 61, of Brenham, passed away on April 25, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial service celebrating Jerry’s life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at 10:00am, at Brenham Memorial Chapel. Pastor Kris Brower of St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill will officiate.

Jerry was born on February 27, 1958, to Joe and Sadie (Brandstetter) Lauter of Brenham. He was baptized April 27, 1958, and confirmed May 27, 1973, at Grace Lutheran Church. His confirmation verse was Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares upon the Lord, and he will sustain you…”. Jerry graduated from Brenham High School. He spent over 38 years employed by Blue Bell Creameries in maintenance.

On December 18, 1987, Jerry was united in marriage to Karen Gaskamp. Jerry and Karen did everything together - hunting, fishing, watching classic TV shows like “The Waltons” or “Little House on the Prairie”, or even just taking car rides on scenic country roads. They made their home in Brenham and there raised their two daughters, Melissa and Amanda. Jerry and the girls spent many wonderful hours preparing for and showing livestock at the Washington County Fair. Jerry enjoyed socializing at the local country stores, and talking on the phone with his older sister DeeDee to review the family history or hear the latest gossip. For many years he participated in Salt Grass Trail Ride with the Long Neck Riders, who all knew him as “JL”. Jerry’s good natured humor won him many friends. He could often be a quiet person, but he was strong and a fighter throughout his illness. Above all, he enjoyed time with his family, especially his granddaughters Madyson and Riley who called him Papa.

Jerry will be missed by his loving family: wife of 31 years, Karen (Gaskamp) Lauter; daughter Amanda and close friend Blake Hickerson; son-in-law Matt Stokes; granddaughters Riley Stokes and Madyson Meier; father-in-law Wilfred “Peanut” Gaskamp; sister DeeDee (Lauter) and husband Don Smith; sister-in-law Theresa Orts; nieces and nephews, Mike and Debbie Brau, Scotty and Vicky Smith, Curtis and Marlene Rodenbeck, Lisa and Daniel Krolczyk, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, and other family and friends.

Jerry is preceded in death by his daughter, Melissa Stokes; parents, Joe and Sadie Lauter; sister Martha (husband Melvin) Rodenbeck; nephews Ed McClendon and Reggie Rodenbeck; mother-in-law Dorothy Gaskamp and step-mother-in-law Charlotte Gaskamp.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the nurses with Hospice Brazos Valley, and the staff of Baylor Scott and White Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center in Temple, Texas for their dedicated, compassionate care they provided to Jerry in the recent months and years.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jerry may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, or St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.