Don Wayne Stelter

On June 23, 2024, Don Wayne Stelter of Brenham succumbed to injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident on June 11, 2024. He was 73 years old.

In his earlier years, Don had a love for extreme hobbies: bull riding, rodeo clowning, and rattlesnake hunting. He was quick witted and loved to tell jokes. He also enjoyed spending time with family and his many friends, perhaps more than most people realized because of the solitary nature of his profession. He often spoke about how he had a lot of time alone while working to think and to talk with God. However, when he was not at work, he was never afraid to be the center of attention. He made lasting memories from his time spent on his deer lease and at the Burton Short Stop with his buddies. Don was also a talented artist, craftsman, and even a songwriter.

Don was the fourth generation of his family to be born and raised in Washington County. He graduated from Brenham High School in 1969 and tried his hand at college by briefly attending Sam Houston State University, though, admittedly, did so only to join the Rodeo Team. He returned to Brenham, married the love of his life, and began working for the family business.

Don learned to operate bulldozers from his father and, in 1986, he took over the bulldozing business his father started, running it until his passing. He spent a total of 57 years operating bulldozers and improving properties across Washington and many surrounding counties. He was extremely skilled, took great pride in his work, and was an artist with his dozer blade. He liked to say, “I make dirt look good.” The next time you see a pond, terraced acres, a manicured clearing, or even a landing strip in a field for a private airplane, it might be the handiwork of Don Stelter. It is safe to say, he left his mark on this earth in more ways than one. He will be missed.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Stelter and Ruth Steinbach Stelter, his paternal grandparents, August Stelter and Ella Albrecht Stelter, and his maternal grandparents, Henry Steinbach and Augusta Baker Steinbach.

He is survived by his devoted sister, Kathy Stelter, his daughter and son-in-law, Brandi and Duncan Wallace, his son and daughter-in-law, Cody and Kameron Stelter, his six grandchildren, Ian, Ella, Gavin, Collin, Pierce, and Piper, and his former spouse, Connie Stelter. He also leaves behind his cousins, Barbara Reimer, Lois Rash, Al James Steinbach, Faye Stelter, Ray Stelter, and Ronnie Kelm, along with numerous close friends and former family members.

A funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church of Brenham on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.