Leona Boenker

Leona W. Boenker, 95, of Brenham, widow of Albert Weiss and Gerhardt Boenker, passed away Friday, November 16, 2007 in Trinity Medical Center. Mrs. Boenker was born May 11, 1912 in Welcome, Texas to William and Minnie Frier Gaskamp. She was baptized and confirmed in Salem Lutheran Church of Welcome. On October 15, 1932 she was married to Albert Weiss in St. Paul s Evangelical Church of Brenham. He preceded her in death on May 27, 1973. She married Gerhard Boenker on March 22, 1975 in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of William Penn. He preceded her in death in November of 1987. Mrs. Boenker was a homemaker, and also worked in a bakery for a number of years. She served as a pink lady volunteer for many years at St. Jude Hospital and Trinity Medical Center. She was also a member of the Wesley Brethren Church and the Christian Sisters. Mrs. Boenker loved to sew and make quilts. She also loved to travel. Survivors include daughters Janet Pomykal and husband Verde; Natalia Van Meter and husband Paul of Stanwood, Washington; grandchildren: Theresa Clay and husband Phil, Elizabeth Pomykal, and Kathie Boehnemann; step-grandchildlren David Van Meter and wife Teresa Van Meter; Paulette Campbell and husband Bernie; Deborah Morales and husband Martin; great-grandchildren: Michelle and Ferman Garcia, Brant and Jennifer Oertli, Brian and Alynda Long, Sarah Long, Lisa Long, Stephen and Eve Boehnemann, Lauren and Josh Hadley, and Rachel Rudin; great-great-grandchildren: Dylan Ingham, Kathryn Long and Elisa Garcia; five great-grandchildren and eleven great-great grandchildren; a sister Viola Lawson of Brenham; sisters-in-law Bernice Weiss and Lydia Platzer, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Boenker was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, son Lilburn Weiss; grandson-in-law Larry Boehnemann; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Robert and Christine Weiss, Alvina and Hugh Light, Raymond Platzer, Granville Weiss, Drew and Alvina Weiss, Alice and John Grounds, and Otto and Helen Weiss. Funeral services for Leona W. Boenker will be held Monday, November 19, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Wesley Brethren Church with Pastor Michael Groseclose officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation with family and friends will take place Sunday, November 18 at Memorial Oaks Chapel from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Serving as pallbearers are Phil Clay, Brian Long, Stephen Boehnemann, Josh Hadley, Fermin Garcia, Dylan Ingham, Brandt Oertli, and David Korth. Honorary pallbearers are her granddaughters, great-granddaughters, and great-great grandchildren. Memorials may be given to the Wesley Brethren Church or Wesley Cemetery Fund. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham.