Mary Pahmiyer

Affectionately known to many as "Ms. Mary," Mary Lampe Gerke Pahmiyer was born on February 7, 1914 to Charlie & Emma Engel Lampe in the William Penn Community of Washington County, Texas. Baptized on March 22, 1914 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church at William Penn, Mary later confirmed her faith on March 29, 1929, in that same church. She received her formal education in the schools at William Penn and Independence.

Mary was married to Willie Gerke on June 10, 1931. Just shy of spending forty-six years together, Willie preceded Mary in death on June 8, 1977. During their life together, the couple farmed in the William Penn community and raised their children there. Later, the family moved to Brenham, where Mary began a career in food service. Armed with a through knowledge of the restaurant business, common sense and just a wee bit of tenacity, Mary, along with her daughter & son-in-law, Mary Lou & Paul Kenjura, opened the K&G Steakhouse. Mary's philosophy concerning food service was simple and kept everyone focused, "Give the customers good home cooking!" For nearly four decades her practical advice made the restaurant a leading business in this community. Although Ms. Mary retired in 1984, she continued to work in the restaurant on a part-time basis, serving in the capacity of consultant, and baking meringue cream pies as well Italian cream cakes.

It was her love of playing cards and dancing that led Mary to be introduced to August Pahmiyer, a widower who shared many of her interests. After a time of attending "card parties" and going out dancing together, Mary and August were married on April 30, 1983 in Grace Lutheran Church; Brenham, Texas. They were members of the "Top Cats" dance club. "Granny," as Mary was known to her family and close friends, was a member of St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham, a member of the Ladies Aid Circle at the church and was a member of the Brenham Sons of Hermann Lodge. She loved to cook and bake, largely without recipes, and delighted in making sugar cookies for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, all of whom saw these as being great treats. Mary, August and their friends found great pleasure in traveling to Louisiana where they would engage in…small games of chance.

Ms. Mary is survived by her husband of just over twenty-five years, August Pahmiyer, and by her children: Dorothy Mae Moon of Brenham, Mary Lou & Paul Kenjura of Brenham, Floyd & Annie Gerke of Austin, Clarence Gerke of Brenham and Janet & Paul Barnett of Brenham. Granny is survived by the following grandchildren: Ronald & Terri Moon, Rodney & Patti Kenjura, Marilyn & Paul Kleypas, Linda Kenjura, Sherrie & Brad Shaver, Melissa Gerke & Eric Lyons, M. Chad & Sara Gerke, Brian & Donna Barnett and Jason Barnett. Granny is also survived by the following great-grandchildren: Ronnie & Leslie Moon, Rhonda & Clint Hudson, Rodney Kenjura Jr., Corey Kenjura, Darreck Kenjura, Sheila Blue, Chris & Lori Blue, Josh Wesolick, Melanie Shaver, Matt Shaver, Alexa Gerke, Fallon Gerke, Ethan Lyons, Ava Lyons and Avynn Barnett. Her great-great-grandchildren are Tyler & Dillon Moon and Trey & Cash Dawson. Mary is survived by her sister, Emma Bell Neumann of Brenham. Mary is preceded in death by: her first husband, Willie Gerke; her son-in-law, C.M. Moon Jr.; Her daughter-in-law, Janet Gerke; her grandson, Mark Kenjura; her parents, Charlie Lampe & Emma Engel Lampe; her daughter, Florence Gerke and a daughter who died at birth; her brothers, Willie Lampe, Charlie Lampe, Alfred Lampe, August Lampe, and her sister, Rosa Schoenemann.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 6 to 8 P.M. in Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service will be in St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran of Brenham on Thursday, September 4, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Lawrence Bade and Pastor Phillip Fenton, with burial following in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Active pallbearers are Ronald Moon, Rodney Kenjura, Darreck Kenjura, Brad Shaver, M. Chad Gerke, Eric Lyons, Jason Barnett, Brian Barnett and Chris Blue. All of the remaining grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the great-great-grandchildren will be considered honorary pallbearers.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Mary''s caregivers: Ann Galaviz, Melissa Galle, Shirley Schulz and the staff of Brenham Rest Home. A special thank you to Dr. Frank Leal and his nurses for their love and care.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be given to St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church Radio and T.V. ministry or to the Brazos Valley Hospice.

Mary''s family would sum up her life in words inspired by Proverbs 31; The worth of a virtuous woman is far above that of rubies. She is trusted by her husband and she will do good for him throughout his life. She searches out a field, purchases it and establishes a vineyard with her own hands. She welcomes the poor and needy. She gives sound advice and imparts discipline tempered with kindness. She tends to her home and family and is not idle. Give her the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her at the end of the day.