Reuben Kelm

Reuben Carl Kelm, 88 of Brenham, passed from this earth to join his Lord and Saviour at his Brenham residence on Thursday, April 19, 2012.

Reuben was born June 26, 1923 in Washington County, Texas to Emil & Mina (Nolte) Kelm. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith on August 5, 1923 by Rev. Karl Mueller and was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on June 5, 1938 by Rev. Fred Mgehoff. Reuben was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church of the Zionsville Community. On March 28, 1945 Reuben married Edna Schulze. His first wife Edna Schulze Kelm preceded him in death on February 20, 1976. Reuben then married Mary Cameron on April 15, 1978 at Zion. After serving his country during World War II in the Army Air Force from January 19, 1943 to December 8, 1945, he attended night school at Blinn Jr. College from which he graduated.

For many years Reuben was owner/operator of Kelm’s Paint and Body Shop, drove a school bus for Brenham ISD, and engaged in farming operations until he became disabled. Reuben was a member of the Sons of Hermann and was honored with the 2005 Humanitarian Award. For many years he called Thursday night Bingo at the Sons of Hermann. He was a member of American Legion Buddy Wright Post #48 and served as commander 1972-1973. For 4 years he served as Precinct #3 County Commissioner. Being an avid Houston Astros fan, Reuben thoroughly enjoyed watching the Astros on TV. Reuben being active in Zion Lutheran Church served as Sunday School Superintendent for 22 years, sang in the Zion Men’s Choir for a number of years, served on the church council and was in the Men’s Brotherhood.

Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Edna, and his son Edward Charles Kelm, his brothers Otto Kelm, Herbert Kelm, his sister Elsie Kelm Fischer and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces.

Surviving loving family includes, wife and caregiver Mary Kelm, daughter and son-in-law Shirley and Richard McCord of Brenham; daughter-in-law Charlene Bates Kelm of Brenham; stepdaughter and son-in-law Jeanette and Wayne Sunderhuse of Brenham; grandchildren Sean McCord of Katy, Jentri and Dustin Smith of Cypress, Larissa and Eric Dieterich of Brenham, Eric and Amy Kelm of Austin; great-grandchildren Tyler Wayne Smith and Tristan Lee Smith of Cypress, Addilyn Rose Kelm and Sarah Faith Kelm of Austin; brother-in-law and wife Emery and Helen Schulze of Brenham; sister-in-law Elsie Preuss Schulze of Houston; step-grandchildren Tracie and Ronnie Boehnemann, Waynette Harmel and special friend Ty Reich, Kurt and Stacie Sunderhuse; step-great-grandchildren LyNae Neumann, Chadd and Kaci Neumann, Aimee Harmel, Cory Painter, Micah Harmel, Garrett Sunderhuse, Tana Sunderhuse, Kolten Sunderhuse; step-great-great-grandchildren Brodie Jones, Braygen Calvin, Nathan Simons and Chase Neumann. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation with family and friends will be Saturday, April 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral service will be Sunday, April 22 at 3 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church and burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pastor Virgil Pecht will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Sean McCord, Eric Kelm, Rodney Kelm, Gerald Schulze, Chadd Neumann and Richard Hanath. Honorary pallbearer is Ronnie Kelm, Cory Painter, Aimee Harmel and LyNae Neumann.

The family would like to give special thanks to AMA Home Care for the services that they rendered to Reuben for the past year and especially to his favorite nurse Kristi Flisowski.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or to the charity of your choice.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham. 979.836.3611 www.brenhammemorialchapel.com