Raymond Bentke

Raymond Emil Bentke, 89, died January 15, 2019 at his residence in Houston.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 18, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, with Pastor Jill Vivroux officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

Raymond Emil Bentke was born August 13, 1929 in Independence to Herman and Emma Moehlmann Bentke. He was baptized September 8, 1929 at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, where he was confirmed April 2, 1944. On August 5, 1951, he married the love of his life, Verna Mae Gaskamp in the same church. He remained a member there until his death.

Raymond operated a grocery store and worked as a butcher for many years. In later years, he was employed as a machinist until his retirement. He enjoyed watching his grandson and great-grandchildren play sports. Fishing, hunting were favorite pastimes, as well as barbecuing for his family and friends. Raymond was an avid Astros fan, and enjoyed watching various sporting events on t.v.

Survivors include his wife, Verna Mae Bentke of Houston; daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Don Willians of Tomball; sisters-in-law Donna and Dorothy of Brenham, and Rosie of Houston; sister, Mary Jo Schulz, all of Brenham; grandchildren: Brent Williams and wife Maddie of San Antonio; great-grandchildren: Heidi Pinckert and Hailey Ackley of Tomball; Trent, Tagan, and Tate Williams of San Antonio, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Emma Bentke; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ed & Hilda Reue Gaskamp; brothers: William, Alfred, Melvin, Herman, Glenn Bentke; sisters: Alma Place, Ida Kaechler, and Lois Ruemke; granddaughter, Cari Pinckert.

Serving as pallbearers are Brent Williams, Trent Williams, Tate Williams, Mark Williams, Ricky Ripple, Kenneth Ripple, Bobby Bentke, Rick Federwisch, and Terry Schulz.

Honorary pallbearers are his great-granddaughters, Hailey Ackley, Heidi Pinckert, and Tagan Williams.

Memorials may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill.

Funeral arrangements for Raymond Emil Bentke are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

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