In Loving Memory

Louis Schwarze, Jr.

Louis Schwarze, Jr.
May 31, 1938
June 15, 2020
Service Info
View Guestbook

Obituary

Louis Schwarze, Jr., 82, passed away on June 15, 2020.

Viewing will be at Brenham Memorial Chapel, on Friday, June 19, from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm. The family will be present from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 pm at Salem Lutheran Church. Pastors Jill Vivroux and Skip Stutts will officiate. Burial will follow at Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery. Due to public health concerns, seating will be limited and there will be no reception held after the service. Social distancing is encouraged, but the family looks forward to seeing you in attendance.

Louis Schwarze, Jr., was known to many simply as Jr., was born in the Salem community on May 31, 1938, to parents Louis Sr. and Selma (Richter) Schwarze. He was baptized on July 31, 1938, and confirmed April 6, 1952, both at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. Jr. grew up on the family farm with his many siblings, and attended local schools.

While Jr. was attending Brenham High School, he met and fell in love with the prettiest girl there, Maxine Pohlmeyer. On August 16, 1958 they were united in marriage at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1968, they built a home on some land near Jr.’s childhood home. There they raised their children, Lloyd, Michael, Jeffrey, and Susan. Jr. and Maxine were big supporters of the Washington County Little League and enjoyed going to games. Jr. coached their children in Little League, in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.

Jr. was a hard worker, starting to work in the cotton fields every summer as a teenager. After graduating high school he worked for Brenham Cotton Mill. Later he went to work for Buerger Electric, where he was employed as a master electrician for 15 years. In more recent years he served as the maintenance superintendent at Germania Insurance.

Jr. retired officially in 2001, but that didn’t stop him from finding things to keep him busy. The only time Jr. sat still was when he was watching the Astros play! He was a devoted Astros fan and an Oilers/Texans fan.

Jr. enjoyed time outside and always found something for himself (and anyone nearby) to stay busy with. He always kept a large garden, growing onions, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, beans, and at least one row of cotton (“To remember where I came from”). His homemade peach wine and grape wine was much sought after, and he enjoyed teaching others how to make it. He also kept cattle, goats, pigs, and enough chickens to supply his entire family with all the eggs they could possibly need. Jr. enjoyed cooking pork roast and brisket, and claimed that no one could cook chicken as well as he could.

Jr. was a talented and resourceful woodworker. He could build or repair anything he came across. He was very practical and would put his skills to use producing items for his family to use in their homes or offices. He would also design and build larger projects like barns and storage buildings. He spent the last several years building and selling wooden crates with his grandsons. Jr. enjoyed time spent with friends, but he really cherished time spent with his wife and family.

Jr. was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church. He served on the church council in the 70’s and 80’s. He was a member of the Salem Shooting Club, and was one of their top shooters. He joined the Salem Fire Department in 1965, and was proud to be their oldest member, at 82. He was chairman of the Salem Historical marker committee, located on Salem Road.

Jr.’s surviving loved ones includes: dear wife of 61 years, Maxine; children and their spouses, Lloyd (Peggy) Schwarze, Michael (Samantha) Schwarze, Jeff (Cyndi) Schwarze, Susan (Casey) Acker; he was “Papa” to grandkids Amy (Matthew), Chad (Katie), Blake (Kathleen), Jon (Lauren), Alexander (Erica) Jacob, Stella, Ryan, Cole, Dane, and Erin; he was “Big Papa” to great-grandkids Owen, Emily, Addison, Ashley, Brynn, and Summer; brothers, Leroy, Lonnie (Joyce); sisters, Ruth Rodenbeck, Helen Rodenbeck, Bernice Bates, Verlin Grimm; sisters-in-law Shirley Schwarze, Vondale Schwarze; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jr. is preceded in death by his parents; infant son Mark Allen Schwarze; brothers Willie, Edward, Calvin; brothers-in-law Gilbert Rodenbeck, Alfred Rodenbeck; sister and brother-in-law Dorothy (Ed) Sommerfeld; sister-in-law Rita Schwarze, and parents-in-law Fred and Paula Pohlmeyer.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Chad, Blake, Jon, Alexander, Jacob, and Ryan Schwarze; Cole and Dane Acker; and Matthew Mutchler.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Luther and Katie Hueske family; Arthur Lee and Debbie Nordt; Keith and Christi Korth; and Ronnie and Kim Shupak.

If you wish to make a contribution in memory of Jr., please consider a donation to Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church or Salem Volunteer Fire Department.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Condolences may be sent to www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com