Kathryn (Rodenbeck) Janner

Kathryn Janner, age 86 and lifelong resident of Washington County, passed away Saturday, December 15, 2018 with family by her side.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 19th from 5-7 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 20th at 2 p.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill with Pastor Jill Vivroux presiding. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Kathryn was born April 9, 1932 in the Cedar Hill Community of Washington County to Edd and Esther (Hopmann) Rodenbeck. She was the youngest daughter of their ten children. She was baptized June 12, 1932 and confirmed April 14, 1946 both by Pastor P. Gogolin at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, where she remained a lifelong member. Kathryn attended Cedar Hill School and graduated from Brenham High School.

At a Luther League volleyball tournament, she met the love of her life, Gilbert William Janner. They were married December 10, 1949 by Pastor P. Gogolin at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill. Together in the Mound Hill Community, they began their farming and ranching legacy. They raised turkeys, chickens, sheep, pigs and cattle, as well as farming corn and cotton. While Gilbert and the farm helpers were picking cotton, she would prepare lunch and deliver it to them. She gardened and canned its harvest. She also was a good housekeeper, never wanting help. She could be heard singing or whistling while doing her work. Kathryn was a good neighbor, giving to the less fortunate. She also took care of her three unmarried brothers. She cooked for them and cared for their medical needs.

Kathryn enjoyed life. She and Gilbert loved to dance and especially waltz. She taught all of her grandchildren to waltz and waltzed with her grandson at his wedding a year ago. She also had a hidden wit about her. Kathryn made special silly and fun memories with each of her grandkids and great-grandkids ages 46 to 4 years. She was especially known for her home made play dough.

Kathryn taught Sunday School when her children were younger and was a member of Ladies Aid at St. John Lutheran. Other involvements included: 4H Leader, Gay Hill-Mound Hill-Cedar Hill Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and Texas Pork Producers Association.

She was preceded in death by: parents; husband of 68 years, Gilbert; infant daughter; siblings, twins Esther Walker and Edward Rodenbeck, Mildred Buerger, Lillie Smith, Irene Busse, Alfred Rodenbeck, Gilbert Rodenbeck, Wilburn Rodenbeck and Calvin Rodenbeck.

Surviving loving family includes: children and spouses, Carol and John Haarmeyer of Brenham, Kathy and Lee Nordt of Waco, Gil and Michelle Janner of Brenham; grandchildren and spouses, Jeannie(Haarmeyer) and Keith Kroll of Brenham, Holly (Haarmeyer) and Mark Rodriquez of Brenham, Johnna (Haarmeyer) and Tim Mikolajchak of Alvin, Garrison and Elizabeth (McGuire) Nordt of The Woodlands, Kaylee (Nordt) and Jeff Landon of Fort Worth, Bethany Janner, Corbin Janner and Hunter Janner all of Brenham; great grandchildren, Meg Rodriquez, Audra Kroll, John Victor Rodriquez, Myka Mikolajchak, Mabry Mikolajchak and Mayvin Mikolajchak; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ruth Rodenbeck , Helen Rodenbeck, Otto, Jr. and Christine Janner, Calvin and Judy Janner, Alvin Janner, Joydell Janner; numerous other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be grandsons: Keith Kroll, Mark Rodriquez, Tim Mikolajchak, Garrison Nordt, Jeff Landon, Corbin Janner, Hunter Janner and John Victor Rodriquez.

Memorials are requested to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, Hospice Brazos Valley, Burton Cotton Gin & Museum or the charity of your choice.

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.