Rudy Kelling

Rudy A. Kelling completed his journey here May 14, 2008 at his home in Brenham. Visitation will be Friday, May 16 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2008 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 8819 FM 2621, Sandy Hill, Brenham. with Rev. Jim Abbott and Rev. Dennis Dirks officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Rudy was born October 7, 1925 to Willie F. and Nelda Kelling, the second of eight children. He was baptized Oct. 25, 1925 at St. Paul Lutheran in Phillipsburg, and confirmed at St. John Lutheran in Bellville. Willie F. Kelling died in Feb. of 1943. Rudy and his brother Willie farmed the land and attended school on alternate days in order to complete their senior year. His brother Willie was drafted and Rudy continued to farm until 1945 when he, too, was drafted. At the time the bomb was dropped on Japan, Rudy was on a troop ship in the Pacific. They circled for 6 weeks until the Army decided where to take them. Rudy ended up in the Philippines as an ordinance officer for 2 Christmases. Later his G.I. Bill allowed him to attend Blinn, Texas Lutheran College at Seguin, and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Rudy dated Ruth Bohls at Texas Lutheran, and they were married on June 14, 1953 at St. John Lutheran in Austin. He was ordained into the Lutheran ministry at St. Paul, Phillipsburg on June 12, 1955. He served congregations in Edinburg and Mission 1955-1962, Sharon Lutheran in Pasadena, TX. 1962-1970, First Lutheran in Temple 1970-1980, St. Matthew and Immanuel in Brenham 1980-1991, and Zion in Brenham 1991-1998 as Visitation Pastor. Rudy was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, and pastor. He trusted God to work out all problems. He was always thankful to God for His goodness. He was always happy to get back to Brenham. He liked gardening, fishing, dominoes, and napping on the living room floor. Survivors include his wife Ruth; their children, Karen Marie Cambern and husband Dwain of Cypress and Philip Kelling and his partner, Luigi De Santis of Los Angeles; one grandson, Jason Webb and his wife, Christi, and their anticipated daughter. Two sisters: Edith Gilmore of Killeen and Marie Wilson and her husband, Gaylord of Loomis, CA.; brothers and sisters-in-law: Carl and Vancie Bohls of San Antonio, Pauline Kelling of Knippa, Ruth I. Kelling of Brenham, Clarence Hodde and his wife Diana of Brenham, and 22 nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, Clarence and Meta Bohls, 3 brothers: Willie and his wife, Joyce; Ray, and Dan, two sisters: Elsie Hodde and Kathleen Farris and her husband, Quentin; brother-in-law Henry Gilmore, and one niece, Nancy Farris and a great-nephew, Kyle Schulze. Serving as pallbearers are Chip Bohls, Bill Farris, Don Hodde, Allen Jenkins, Richard Jolly, Michael Kelling and Ron Kelling. All nieces and nephews will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest, 607 Rathervue, Austin, Texas 78765 for scholarships for persons entering the ministry, Brazos Valley Hospice, or M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To view the obituary or to post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com