Walter Thielemann

Walter Frederick Thielemann, 88, of Brenham, passed away peacefully at Brenham Nursing & Rehab Center on April 18, 2016 in the presence of family and friends.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. The celebration of life will be on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 11:00am at St. John's Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, with the Rev. Kyle Merkle officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie Hill Church Cemetery.

Walter was born January 17, 1928 to Herbert & Else (Wensel) Thielemann in the Welcome community of Austin County. He was baptized March 11, 1928 in Salem Lutheran Church of Welcome by Rev. J. Appel and was later confirmed in that same church on April 18, 1943 by Rev. I. M. Mansur. He attended Welcome and Wesley schools in Austin County. Walter served 18 months in Japan with the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged on September 27, 1947. Upon his return from service, he was employed by Erwin "Boots" Broecker in the construction business. During that time he completed his education while attending night school at Blinn College. He received an Associate of Arts Degree on June 1, 1953.

On May 28, 1950, Walter married Evelyn Riechers at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill by Rev. Paul Gogolin. To this union were born three children, Glenda, Arlen and Tricia.

In 1954, he entered into a construction partnership with Odell Lueckemeyer. In 1956, he and his wife Evelyn founded Walter Thielemann Construction Co. which still operates today as Thielemann Construction Co. He remained physically active in the business until the age of 85. Walter absolutely loved what he did. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting people and serving them in the construction business. His passion and commitment to quality has established a great legacy for his children to carry on. When Walter shook your hand, it meant something. He was a man of his word.

Those who spent time with Walter knew he had a great sense of humor and loved telling stories and jokes. A night playing dominoes or cards was sure to be a fun evening. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He especially loved following all his grandchildren in their athletic endeavors and rarely missed an event. Aside from work and family, he was an avid outdoorsman, spending time hunting and fishing whenever he could. Throughout the years, he also spent countless hours on his farm caring for his cattle.

Walter was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, where he had served as chairman on the church council, member of the men's choir, Men In Mission, and served on other appointed committees throughout the years. He was a strong supporter of the Washington County Fair, where he served as president and as a director for many years supporting the youth of Washington County. At different times he also served as director of Washington County State Bank and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Walter was a member of the American Legion Post #48, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7104, and other community organizations. Most recently, on October 25, 2014 he was honored and received Blinn College's Hall of Honor Award.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Evelyn; daughters and sons-in-law, Glenda and David Stegent; Tricia and Scott Schroeder; son and daughter-in-law, Arlen and Heather Thielemann, all of Brenham. Grandchildren, Ryan Stegent and his wife Kristin; Corey Stegent and his wife Kristi; Brooke Huckert and her husband Darren; all of Brenham, Shea Thielemann of Dallas; Dillon and Addie Thielemann, Makenna, Hayden, and Evan Schroeder, all of Brenham. Great grandchildren include Manning, Tapestry, Cherish, Liberty, Jubilee, Mercy, Treasure, Ethan and Olivia Stegent; Swayzee, Harper, and Reegan Huckert, all of Brenham. Sister and brother-in-law, Elverna and Herman Borchardt of Brenham; brother and sister-in-law, Wilbert and Dinora Thielemann of Katy; sisters-in-law, Elaine Thielemann and husband, Ralph Grinde of Cat Spring; and Dorothy Luedke of Centerville. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charlie, Sr. and Olga Riechers; sister and brother-in-law, Vada and Roy Bockhorn; brother, Milton Thielemann; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ervin and Theckla "Babe" Riechers, Burney and Lorene "Sis" Riechers, Charlie Jr. and Mary Ann Riechers, and Gerald Luedke.

Serving as pallbearers are Shelley Addison, Glenn Bockhorn, Craig Borchardt, DeWayne Luedke, Ed Phillips, Robin Riechers, Marty Spivey, Jonathan Thielemann, Michael Thielemann, and Fred Westerfeld. Honorary pallbearers are the employees of Thielemann Construction Co. and Stegent-Thielemann Plumbing.

Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, 6605 Old Independence Road, Brenham, Texas 77833, or a favorite charity.

Funeral arrangements for Walter F. Thielemann are being entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. For more information please call 979-836-4564 or visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

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