August Pahmiyer

August William Pahmiyer was born on August 26, 1921 in Karnes City, Texas to Edward and Lena Sachtleben Pahmiyer. He passed away to his heavenly home October 24, 2023.

After losing his mother at the age of 2 years, August spent much of his younger years with his grandmother, Dora Pahmiyer, in Goliad, Texas. It was here where August was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in Goliad on June 17, 1925. August later confirmed his faith at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Brenham, Texas in 1954.

He received his formal education in Goliad, Edna and Victoria, Texas. He attended Blinn College and received his GED in 1954 and continued his education at Blinn College.

August entered military service in November 1942 with basic training at Fort Hood, Texas. He then headed to Fort Breckenridge, Kentucky and duty with the 821st Tank Destroyer Battalion. Soon after he was ordered to Camp Miles Standish near Boston and then ship bound to Newport, Wales. August was assigned dual roles as a rifleman and driver for the 2 ½ ton supply truck with the 681st Tank Destroyer Battalion. His 681st Tank Destroyer Division reached the bloody sands of Omaha Beach just 20 days after D-Day and the wars front line was just 15 miles away. August spent the next 20 months moving through France and Holland in some of the bloodiest battles of the war and was part of the entry into Berlin after the surrender by the German forces. August received four Bronze Stars for battles in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe.

After returning from the war August married Ella Schulz on May 27, 1946. They were blessed with one daughter, Janet Louise. August and Ella made their first home in the Sandtown Community but in 1948 moved to Brenham. August joined Appel Motors and spent almost 40 years serving the Washington County area with Appel Motors. Many young men can fondly remember their tenure at Appel Motors under the watchful eye of August - who always made sure things were done right.

Ella and August would spend 32 happy years together before her death in 1978.

On April 30, 1983 August married Mary Gerke. They were members of the "Top Cats" dance club. Mary and August loved their polka music. They enjoyed traveling to visit August army buddies who he always kept in touch with. Mary and August spent 25 happy years together before her death in 2008. August and Mary loved to garden but, August favorite was the pecan harvest. He could sit for hours and peel pecans and the family always supplied ample pecans to keep him busy. August never met a stranger - he always had a smile, kind word and a servant heart. He could fix almost anything and never threw anything away. August was a life long member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham and a member of American Legion Buddy Wright Post 48 and VFW.

Special recognition was presented to August on this 100th birthday by The Senate of The State of Texas. Special Proclamations by the City of Brenham and Washington County were also presented to August honoring his 100th birthday on August 26, 2021. August proudly displayed these proclamations for all to see always adding how much he appreciated the good wishes on this special birthday.

August is survived by his children: Janet and David Long of Flint, Texas, Mary Lou and Paul Kenjura of Brenham, Texas, Clarence and Jill Vivroux Gerke of Brenham, Texas and Annie Gerke of Austin Texas. August is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. August is preceded in death by his wives Ella Pahmiyer and Mary Pahmiyer, his father, Edward Pahmiyer, his mother, Lena Sachtleben Pahmiyer and step-mother Betty Pahmiyer, son, Floyd Gerke, daughter and son-in-law Dorothy and Charlie Moon, daughter-in-law Janet Gerke and grandson Mark Kenjura, his brothers, Charles Pahmiyer, J. B. Pahmiyer and Jimmy Pahmiyer, and sister Jean Pahmiyer.

Visitation will be on Sunday, October 29 from 5 to 7 P.M. in Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service will be in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran of Brenham on Monday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Donna Krueger with burial following in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Robert Pahmiyer, Roger Pahmiyer, Wesley Pahmiyer, Howard McCluskey, Ron Smesny, M. Chad Gerke, and Edwin Schulz.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be given to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church Senior Ministry or to Brazos Valley Hospice.

August family would sum up his life in words inspired by Psalm 112: 6-9

 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;

     they will be remembered forever.

They will have no fear of bad news;

     their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD

Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;

     in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,

     their righteousness endures forever;

     their horn will be lifted high in honor.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main St., Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.