Herbert Klatte Sr.

Herbert Klatte Sr., age 97, died peacefully December 15, 2015 at home on his ranch with his wife (Esther Mae) by his side – just the way he would have wanted. He was born on August 21, 1918 to Charles ("Chas.") and Martha Klatte in Independence Texas. He was baptized at St. John''s Lutheran Church and later confirmed there in 1934. He lived a life filled with a strong work ethic and unwavering integrity. He attended school at Rocky Hill School, with memories of riding "double" bareback on a horse with his sister to get to and from school. He spoke fondly of the one-room schoolhouse which used to stand on what now is his property.

In 1933 he suffered the loss of his father from cancer and subsequently had to quit grade school to help take care of his mother and two sisters. He was an amazing man, rancher and avid reader – a true self-made man.

He met the love of his life, Esther Mae Klatte (Stiewert) in 1961 on a blind date and they were married on April 21, 1963. They have enjoyed 52 beautiful years together. In 1965 he opened the Independence Smokehouse which he kept open until 1973 when he felt the intellectual tug to get his real estate license. He opened the Brenham Bellville Land Co. in 1973. Always appreciative of ranch land, he found his true calling in buying and selling properties, priding himself in finding the right fit for both the buyer and seller.

He enjoyed a vibrant life until the end. He is survived by his wife, Esther Mae Klatte; son, Herbert Klatte Jr. and wife Cathie; daughter, Karen (Klatte) An and husband Jack; 3 grandsons, Tyler Klatte, Charles Austin Klatte, and Sam An; and 1 granddaughter, Taylor Klatte. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, brother, two sisters and son, Charles Hubert who died at birth in 1964. His nephews will serve as pallbearers. His strength and wise counsel will be greatly missed.

Funeral services for Herbert Klatte, Sr. will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2015 at St. John''s Lutheran Church Prairie Hill with Pastor Kyle Merkle officiating. Committal service will follow at the gazebo at the church cemetery.

Visitation with family will be held Friday, December 18, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John''s Lutheran Church Prairie Hill or Hospice Brazos Valley.

Funeral arrangements for Herbert Klatte, Sr. are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.