Gus Draeger, Jr.

Gus Paul Draeger, Jr., 83, husband of Helen Draeger, died Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at home, with his loving wife of 53 years at his side. He was born May 26, 1926 to Gustav Herman and Martha Maass Draeger. On July 25, 1926, he was baptized at St. John''s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Burton, and later confirmed there on September 22, 1940. Gus was married to Helen Wegner on December 16, 1956 at St. John''s Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill by Louis Kramer. Gus engaged in farming, and worked for the Burton Farmers Gin Association. He was a member of St. John''s United Church of Christ, and served on the church council. A member of the Burton Fire Dept., he also served as a director for the Burton Cotton Gin Association. Survivors include his wife, Helen Wegner Draeger; one daughter, Shirley Thorpe and husband Michael; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two sisters: Emma Draeger and Lydia Jaster; sisters-in-law Edna McKelvey, Esther Webb, Weda Campbell and Jean Wegner; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Alfred Wegner, Raymond and Patsy Wegner. Serving as pallbearers are Ronald Jaster, Damon Wegner, Carroll Webb, Jason Chovanec, Bradley Chovanec and David Thorpe. Preceding him in death were his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, one brother, four brothers-in-law, and a sister-in-law. Funeral services for Gus Paul Draeger, Jr. will be held Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in St. John''s United Church of Christ. Pastor Glen Schoeneberg will officiate. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives Wednesday evening from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Memorials may be directed to Hospice Brazos Valley, or St. John''s United Church of Christ of Burton. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. 979 836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.