Walter Pape

Walter Carl Pape was born December 18, 1914, in the Prairie Hill community, Brenham, Texas, son of the late Willie and Elsie Wehrmann Pape. He departed in peace November 20, 2005, at Trinity Medical Center. He was baptized January 31, 1915, at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill by Pastor F. Apfelbach and confirmed April 13, 1930, at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill by Pastor Paul Gogolin. On February 14, 1940, he married Bernice Louise Kramer at Eben Ezer Lutheran Church at Berlin by Pastor Utesch. Mr. Pape was a life long member of St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill. He loved his church and served on various church committees, having also served as chairman of the congregation. He was a member of the church choir for 25 years and also the men s brotherhood. In addition to his many years of farming cotton and corn, he drove a school bus for ten years, sold insurance for Farmers Mutual Aid Association, was a director for the Farm Bureau and worked as a clerk at Western Auto Store for twenty one years. He loved music and played in western bands during his younger years. Dancing and playing cards were some of his favorite entertainment. He had a special wit about himself, never met a stranger and always enjoyed being with his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Bernice Kramer Pape, daughters Carolyn Sue Maass and husband, Elroy; Doris Faye Draehn and husband Norman; and son Larry Wayne Pape and wife Ann. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Connie Merten and husband, Jerry; Dayna Schroeder and husband, Ross; Michael Draehn and wife, Brenda; Stephen Draehn and wife, Stacie; Amy Fritsch and husband Brad, Ryan Pape, and Angie Pape and special friend Sam Hodde. Great grandchildren include Kyle and Kory Merten, Addyson and Alldyn Schroeder, Amanda, Shelby and Kelsey Draehn, Cameron and Carson Draehn and Lane and Logan Fritsch. Other survivors include sister-in-law, Kathryn Priesmeyer and brother-in-law, Raymond Werth. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Louise Werth, brother-in-law, Erwin Priesmeyer and great granddaughter, Averie Ann Fritsch. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 23, 2005, at 2:00 pm at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill with Dr. Sue Beall officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Family visitation will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at Memorial Oaks Chapel from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Serving as pallbearers will be Jerry Merten, Ross Schroeder, Michael Draehn, Stephen Draehn, Ryan Pape and Brad Fritsch. The staff of Trinity Care Center will be considered as honorary pallbearers. Those who wish may give memorials to St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill or the charity of your choice. Special thanks to the staff of Trinity Care Center for the love and compassion given to him since October 2004. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel at 1306 West Main, Brenham, Texas.