Minnie Spiess Washam

Minnie Spiess (Galle) Washam, 95 of Brenham, died Saturday, February 26, 2011 at College Station Medical Center.

Mrs. Washam was born on November 12, 1915 in New Ulm, Texas to Richard Galle and Mary Rinn Galle. She was baptized and confirmed on February 27, 1949 at Welcome Lutheran Church of Welcome where she was a lifetime member. She attended the Rockhouse School in New Ulm.

She married Edwin Spiess on December 5, 1935 in Industry. They were married until his death in 1972. She then married T. J. Washam on May 10, 1975 in Welcome and they were married until his death in 1982.

She was the postmistress and owner of Spiess Grocery in Welcome and a past chairman of Welcome School PTA. She was a member of the Industry Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, Hermann Sons Lodge 28, Welcome Lutheran Altar Guild, Memorial Committee, Senior Citizens Group, Naomi Circle and WECCO Committee. She was awarded the West End Lioness Club “Woman of the Year” title in 2001.

She enjoyed playing dominoes and dancing.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; husbands, Edwin Spiess and Tom Washam; sister and brother-in-law, Reseda and Barnet Eckermann; brother and sister-in-law, Marcus and Alma Galle; brother, Hilbert Galle; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Emil and Earline Spiess, Robert Spiess, Eunice Spiess, Gertrude Spiess, John and Leona Spiess.

She is survived by: son, Donald Spiess and wife Gwen of Brenham; stepson, Thomas Lee Washam; stepdaughter, Kitty Miller; grandchildren, Alison Loughlin and husband Thomas, III of The Woodlands, Adam Spiess and wife Michelle of Round Rock; sisters-in-law, Aldean Galle of New Ulm; special friend, Flora Dell Marek of Industry, four step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Minnie Spiess Washam will be Monday February 28 from 5-7 pm at Brenham Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will be Tuesday, March 1 at 2 pm at Welcome Lutheran Church at Welcome with Pastor David Klak officiating with burial following in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Welcome Lutheran Church of Welcome, 13636 FM 109, Brenham, Texas or the charity of your choice.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, Texas. 979-836-3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com