Raymond Tielke

Raymond F. Tielke, 83, of Brenham, died Sept. 14, 2004, at the family residence. Mr. Tielke was born Sept. 26, 1920, in Needville, Texas, to Willie and Minnie Miller Tielke. He was baptized Oct. 31, 1920, by Rev. Karl Merkel in the Evangelical Immanuel Church in Needville. On April 14, 1935, he was confirmed in that same church by Rev. J.R. Vilt. On June 6, 1943, he and Eleanor Scheffer were married at St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill by Rev. W.C. Poehlmann. The couple made their home in Needville where he operated a service station and shop. When they moved to Brenham in October, 1948 he owned and operated Tielke s Service Station and Garage and was a local dealer with Case Tractor Co. In 1969 he sold his business and joined Case Power & Equipment at the new company store that had been opened in Brenham. He worked as a salesman and was honored as a Top United States Salesman in 1983. He retired from Case in 1986. From 1987 to 1993 he worked as a car salesman for Appel Ford. Mr. Tielke was a faithful member of St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church since 1950. In his earlier years, he served on the church council, advisory board, stewardship committee, was treasurer of St. Paul s Brotherhood, ushered and operated the sound system. Raymond loved his God, his church, his family and his country. He took great pride in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and they were a source of great joy for him. He dearly loved the ranch life he shared with his wife at their country home. He also enjoyed music and dancing, playing cards and dominoes, hunting, fishing and traveling. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Minnie Tielke; his daughter, Connie Kay Tielke; brother, Lee Roy Tielke; sister, Loney Tielke; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Chas. And Hennie Buerger Scheffer; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alvin and Minnie Scurlock. Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Eleanor Scheffer Tielke; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Patsy and Rayburn Klussmann, Judy and Ernie Weatherby and Cheryl and Jay Alexander; 8 grandchildren, Jennie Krause and husband Kyle, Tina Meyer and husband Bryan, Destre Koehl and husband Blaine, Lance Weatherby and wife Malet, Kristen Kestler and husband Bryan, Melanie Baker and husband John David, Jess Alexander and Jenalee Alexander; great-grandchildren, Kaylin and Kullen Krause, Riley, Raeben and Ellie Meyer, Braylee and Breyson Koehl, Elizabeth and Ethan Weatherby, Conner Kestler and John Dylan Baker; brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Willie Mae Tielke; sisters and brothers-in-law, Viola and Clarence Fuchs, Ora Lee and Clarence Lamensky, Caroline and Frank Macik and Marjorie Janacek; sister-in-law, Alice Tielke; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Arthur and Gladys Scheffer, Edward and Carrie Scheffer, Mae and Gene Thielemann; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; many wonderful friends; and a loyal helper, O.L. Carr. Pallbearers are his grandsons, Lance Weatherby, Jess Alexander, Kyle Krause, Bryan Meyer, Blaine Koehl, Bryan Kestler and John David Baker. Honorary pallbearers are his granddaughters, Jennie Krause, Tina Meyer, Kristen Kestler, Destre Koehl, Melanie Baker, Jenalee Alexander and Malet Weatherby. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 in St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham with Pastor Lawrence Bade and Pastor Kim Little-Brooks officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Paul s Christian Day School, Hospice Brazos Valley or to a favorite charity.