Leonard Roeske

Leonard M. Roeske, 87, husband of Loraine Leschber Roeske, died August 19, 2012 in College Station. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at Christ Lutheran Church, 1104 Carlee Drive. Pastor Walter Schindehette and Father Benedict Zientek will officiate. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives Tuesday evening from 6 to 8, with a Memorial Service at 7 p.m., conducted by Bryan Rothermel. Leonard was born February 4, 1925, in Taylor, Texas, the son of Frank and Amanda Belz Roeske. He was baptized April 19, 1925, in St. James Lutheran Church at Wuthrich Hill, and was confirmed in the same church on October 22, 1939, by the Rev. George Perry. He grew up on the same farm he was born on. During World War II, he served his country in the Navy for almost three years, including 19 months in the South Pacific war zone. He was honorably discharged and returned to Taylor to begin farming. Leonard and Loraine Leschber were married June 18, 1947, at Zion Lutheran Church in Sandoval, Texas, by Rev. Paul Czerkus. Two years of successful farming ended when the property he was renting was sold. After a few weeks of considering what to do next, it was fortunate that a country store and service station was for sale, with contents and lease of the buildings. Leonard and Loraine became the owners and operators, which became a profitable occupation. Shortly after being in the service station business, Leonard began writing insurance for the Taylor Germania local chapter. Then, he began writing insurance for Texas Farm Bureau. A short time later, he became a part-time employee of Germania as a Statewide Field Representative and Adjuster. A very much unexpected thing happened in 1955, when he was elected the first vice president of Germania. On October 1, 1955, Leonard and family moved to Brenham to work in the home office. Several years later, his responsibilities increased to managing the Insurance Underwriting Department and Claim Adjusting Department. Leonard was dedicated to promoting improvements whenever and wherever possible. He was pleased and proud to serve and experience the many good improvements in insurance coverage and service that occurred throughout his many years. Germania is a very active member of the Texas Association of Mutual Insurance Companies T.A.M.I.C. and also a very active member of the National Assoc. of Mutual Insurance Companies N.A.M.I.C. and the Texas Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. Representing Germania, Leonard served these organizations in numerous ways throughout the many years. In T.A.M.I.C., Leonard attended and participated in the annual meetings and annual insurance education seminars. He possibly served on every kind of committee there was. Leonard served two years as Vice-President, two years as President Elect and two years as President. Leonard received an Appreciation Award from T.A.M.I.C. for outstanding service including serving as President. Service consisted of a few years on the Insurance Education Committee and then for several years on the Claims Education Committee. He attended annual conventions and educational seminars, participating in a few. For two years he was a Director from Texas. A Merit Award was received in 1975, in recognition of his efforts in attaining professionalism in the insurance industry. He served several years on the Claims Education Committee, the last two years as Vice-Chairman and Chairman. The purpose of this committee is to promote professionalism in Claims Adjusting. During Leonard''s term, the committee had a great achievement of formulating a loss adjustment manual which furnished valuable information referring to claim adjusting. N.A.M.I.C. made this manual available to Mutual Insurance Companies throughout the United States and Canada. A second N.A.M.I.C. award was given to Leonard in appreciation and grateful acknowledgement of dedicated service and support. He was a member of the Brenham Sons of Hermann Lodge No. 6, serving three terms as President, and promoted changing the Lodge from a brother lodge to a family lodge along with many years in charge of the Bingo Fund and Hall Rental, as well as numerous other committees. In 1996, he received the Humanitarian Award. The Sons of Hermann Grand Lodge service consisted of 8 years 1977-1985 on the Grand Finance Committee. During 1996–97 he served on the Advisory Committee which reviewed all by-laws, rules and regulations and made changes where beneficial, including the Grand Lodge Officer structure. This was presented to the 1997 Grand Lodge Convention and was adopted as written. He also served on the Law Committee for many years. Leonard was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7104, and the American Legion Post No. 48. The VFW Post service consists of serving as Quarter Master, Adjutant, Vice-Commander, Commander, and various other Committees and was in charge of Hall Rentals for 30 years. He received plaques for dedicated service and the Buddy Poppy Award. He served as adjutant of the American Legion Post. During 1971 –73, he was a Director of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Memorial contributions may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church of Brenham or to a charity of your choice. His dedication and service for his Church throughout many years is commendable. It consisted of serving as Luther League Treasurer, Brotherhood president, Sunday School Teacher, Congregation Secretary, Congregation Treasurer, Building Fund Treasurer, Congregation President, Convention Delegate, Usher and on numerous committees. He served on the committee organizing the Christ Lutheran Foundation, and also served as a director for this foundation. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Loraine Leschber Roeske; sons Rodney Roeske and friend Dorothy Cendalski, and Sidney Roeske and wife Karen, all of Brenham; daughter Deborah Bryant and husband Troy of Arlington; grandchildren Ryan Roeske and wife Genna of Brenham, Shawn Roeske of Houston, Dustin Gibson and wife Karley of Rosenberg, Jennifer Karter and husband Justin of Mansfield, Lacey Roeske of Brenham, step-grandchildren Jan Braziel and husband Mike of Houston, and Carole Cearley and husband Jon of Austin; great-grandchildren: Rayna Roeske, Taylor Roeske and Haiden Hickman, all of Brenham and Kendall Karter of Arlington; step-great-grandchildren Jared Braziel and John Michael Braziel, both of Houston, and step-great-great granddaughter Julia Braziel of Houston. Other surviving relatives are nieces and nephews Darvin Kaase, Doris Kaase Forrester, Rankin Obermiller, Richard Obermiller, Curtis Kerlin, Joy Wernecke Moehnke, and Judy Wernecke Phillips as well as several great nieces and great nephews. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Amanda Roeske; daughter-in-law Faye Roeske, father-in-law and mother-in-law Otto and Dora Leschber; brother, Oscar Roeske; sisters and brothers-in-law Emma and Henry Kaase and Alma and George Obermiller. Serving as pallbearers are Shawn Roeske, Dustin Gibson, Ryan Roeske, Randy Forrester, Dorothy Dierking, Myrna Perry, Kathy Carroll, Sedonia Powell, Sandra Addicks, and Shirley Alford. Funeral arrangements for Leonard Roeske are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.