Leroy Boenker

Leroy H. Boenker, 84, of Brenham, Texas, passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. Leroy was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mr. Boenker was born September 16, 1926 in William Penn, Texas to Ernest and Alwine Kettler Boenker. He was baptized October 24, 1926 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in William Penn by Rev. C. J. Appel and was confirmed March 17, 1940 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church by Rev. C. J. Appel. After graduating from William Penn High School he earned his Associate of Arts degree from Blinn College. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Education from the University of Houston. He took auxiliary courses at Texas A&M Universitiy. On May 22, 1949, he married Elsie Bohne in Frieden''s Evangelical and Reformed Church at Washington, Texas by Rev. Paul Piepenbrok. Leroy and Elsie were married for 60 years. He taught at Sandy Hill School, Wesley School and for 20 years in Brenham public schools, junior high and middle school. He drove a school bus throughout most of his teaching career, retiring in 1984. After retiring from the classroom, he took a job for the Washington County Road and Bridge Dept., working there some years before retiring for good. Mr. Boenker was a member of Grace Lutheran Church since 1950. He served as treasurer, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and Elder. He was president of the P.T.O. of Grace Lutheran School and was a member of the Board of Education. He was a veteran of World War II, serving from January 16, 1945 until November 27, 1946. Mr. Boenker was a member of the American Legion Buddy Wright Post #48, a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association and a life member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association. He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Dennis Hart of Church Point, Louisiana, Edward Boenker of Addison, and Darrell and Suzanne Boenker of Spring; grandchildren, Aaron and wife Morgan Hart, Christopher and wife Shannon Hart, Amanda and husband Jonathan Choate, Jennifer Boenker, Julie Boenker and Natalie Boenker; great-grandson Cameron Picard; sisters Ruby McGaw of Spring and Audrey Nelson of Pearland; brother and sister-in-law Roberial and Dorothy Boenker of Brenham; and sister-in-law Lucille Bohne of Bryan. Mr. Boenker was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, an infant grandson; and brothers-in-law Clarence McGaw, Ray Nelson and Edwin Bohne. The family would like to thank A.M.A. and especially Beverly Schlabach, JoAnn Briedan and Joan Hodde for the attentive care they provided. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastors Matthew Jacobs and William Holzer officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham following the service. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church afterwards for a luncheon. The family will receive friends and relatives Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Honorary contributions can be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Alzheimer''s Association and American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. 979836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.