Melvin Henske

Melvin Charles "Sonny" Henske, 89, of Brenham, died January 25, 2009 at Trinity Medical Center. He was born June 29, 1919 to Otto Henske and Frieda Hohlt Henske in the New Wehdem community of Austin County, Texas. He was baptized and confirmed at St James Lutheran Church of New Wehdem. He was educated at New Wehdem School in Austin County. On February 4, 1947, he was married to Lillian Lueckemeyer in St. James Lutheran Church of New Wehdem. He served in the 57th Field Hospital in Europe during World War II. Sonny worked for 19 years with Fred Baker in the dairy business. Later, he managed Falstaff Beer for Finney Clay and then worked for Seeker Distributing until his retirement. He was a member of American Legion, VFW, Sons of Hermann and St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church. He loved to be with people, and he loved to barbecue with his friends. He enjoyed coon and fox hunting in his younger days. He had an "Old School" attitude about life and believed in hard work. Survivors include his wife, Lillian Henske; son and daughter-in-law, Russell and Lu Henske of Houston; daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Tommy Przyborski of Brenham; grandchildren, Jay Przyborski of Atlanta, Georgia, Laurie and Chris von Gontard of Magnolia, Jessica and Andrew Moody of Katy, Jillian and Dwayne Riske of Austin, Jennifer and Scott Renner of Katy; great-grandchild, Garrett von Gontard; sisters-in-law, Ida Mae Wubbenhorst of Brenham and Wanda Henske, of Madisonville; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Evelyn Lueckemeyer and Odell and Willie Mae Lueckemeyer, all of Brenham. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wilbert "Buddy" Henske and Otto Henske Jr., and sister Laverne "Sister" Spitzer. Funeral services are at St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday January 27, with Pastor Lawrence Bade officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Monday, January 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Memorials may be given to St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church TV Ministry. Pallbearers are: Brad Henske, Larry Henske, Mark Kramer, Rick Kramer, Bill Blume, Jim Blume, Larry Lueckemeyer and Ronnie Lueckemeyer. Honorary pallbearers will be his favorite cousin, Florence and Leeland Rinn. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W, Main St., Brenham. To view the obituary or post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com