Samuel (Sam) Behnke

Samuel F. Behnke 61 of Brenham passed away Thursday, September 30, 2004 at Trinity Medical Center.

Sam was born July 19, 1943 in Ballinger, Texas to Gus and Serena (Lindemann) Behnke, Jr. He was baptized August 2, 1943 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Winters, Texas and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ballinger, Texas. He served in the U. S. Air Force. On June 1, 1968, he married Grace Marie Seidel in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham. For 25 years he owned and operated Comm-Key, Inc. Sam enjoyed serving the community by being involved with the Brenham Fire Department, Buddy Wright Post 48 of the American Legion where he served as past commander, Parks Advisory Board for the City of Brenham, and vice-president of the Brenham Maifest Association. He was a devoted family man and especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include wife, Grace Behnke; mother, Serena Behnke of College Station; daughters, Cynthia Barham and husband Robert of Flower Mound, Stacey Sanders of Brenham; grandchildren, Samantha Renee Sanders and Dylan Preston Barham; brother, Edward Behnke and wife Sandra of Plano; sister, Karen Hannan and husband Howard of College Station; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Martha and Maxwell Weidner of Brenham; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sam was preceded in death by his father, Gus Behnke, Jr.

The Behnke family will receive friends Saturday, October 2, 2004 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral service will be Sunday, October 3, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastors Lawrence Bade and Kim Little-Brooks officiating. Burial will follow in St. Matthew Lutheran Church Cemetery of Sandy Hill.

Pallbearers will be Trey Boeker, Chris Kenjura, Derrick Kenjura, Heath Byrd, Barney Loesch, Joe Norsworthy, Kenneth Barham, and Earnest Barham. Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas Heckmann, Elroy Loesch, Marvin Schulte, and Alvin Krenek.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Christian Day School or The Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Funeral services are in care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham. (979)836-36ll www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com