Gilbert H. Kelm

Gilbert H. Kelm, age 75, of Brenham passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2006 in Trinity Medical Center.

Gilbert was born September 13, 1930 in Washington County to Henry and Hilda Draeger Kelm. On December 27, 1951, he was married to Lucille Michalak in St. Mary’s Catholic Church by Msgr. Charles Weisnerowski.

Gilbert served his country in the United States Army.

Gilbert was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Gay Hill/Mound Hill/Cedar Hill Volunteer Fire Department; Gay Hill Sons of Herman Lodge; Knights of Columbus and Buddy Wright Post #48 of the American Legion. He was also a charter member of the Kelm’s Store (Cedar Hill) Shooting Club.


Gilbert had been employed at L. Hausman Wholesale Grocery and Blue Bell Creameries along with being co-owner of Kelm’s Store.

Gilbert had a great love of the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and gardening. He was always experimenting with growing some new type of tree or vegetable and raising some new pet animal in the backyard. He stayed busy planning, designing, and building many different projects around the house. Sports played an important part of Gilbert’s early and later years. He played high school basketball and football and played third base for a community hardball team. He was a pitcher for the Kelm’s Store Cornbreaders slow pitch softball team and enjoyed playing volleyball. He was an avid Houston Astros fan. Gilbert loved dancing and music, and made many a dance at Gay Hill Hall. He was a member of the “Brazos River Three.” He was quite a history buff and especially enjoyed reading books about events leading up to and including World Wars I and II. Watching John Wayne western movies became one of his favorite pastimes, along with playing card games such as Skat. He loved his family and friends, and our lives are greatly blessed for having had the time to spend with him. Gilbert will be sincerely missed by all.

His parents, Henry and Hilda Kelm, parents-in-law, John and Annie Michalak and brother-in-law, Ervin Rodenbeck preceded him in death.

Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Lucille Michalak Kelm, sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Diana Kelm and Kelly and Tricia Kelm; daughter and son-in-law, Patsy and Chip Andreas; 4 grandchildren, Eric and Chris Andreas and Kyle and Kallie Kelm; sister, Dorothy Mae Rodenbeck; niece, Linda Borchardt and husband Craig and their children Morgan, Josh and Mary.

A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2006 in Brenham Memorial Chapel by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2006 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Msgr. Benedict Zientek as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Bradley “Bozie” Fischer, Craig Borchardt, Gary Stelter, James Mantey, Curtis Rodenbeck and Russell Schroeder. Honorary pallbearers are Howard Kruse, Ed Kruse, former co-workers at Blue Bell Creameries, Inc. and the Kelm’s Store Bunch.

Funeral services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com