Willie Draehn, Jr.

Willie Draehn, Jr., 90, of Brenham, TX passed away on February 9, 2023. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham, TX. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023 also at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery in Brenham, TX.

Willie was born on May 30, 1932 in Brenham, TX to parents Willie H. and Selma Louise (Emshoff) Draehn.  He was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church and confirmed on April 14, 1946 also at Salem Lutheran Church.  He was united in marriage to Marjorie Ann Meyer on November 6, 1954 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was confirmed as a catholic in 1970.

Willie was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he was an usher and also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

In his younger years, Willie operated heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motorgraders.  He was very skilled in his use of this equipment and was proud to have leveled and graded the dirt for Linda Anderson Park.

Most of his life, Willie was a bricklayer.  He took great pride in his work and many houses in Brenham, especially Atlow Addition, were bricked by him.  He said the most bricks he laid in a day was 2235.

Willie also worked many years for the City of Brenham as the Parks Superintendent and then as the Street Superintendent.  He took great pride in ensuring the parks were all well maintained and clean and that the streets were also maintained and any repairs done quickly.

Willie also had many other talents.  Many people contacted him for his water dowsing skills.  Countless water wells were drilled because he located water and also could tell the depth of the water.

His greatest talent was probably cooking.  He always had his own “kitchen” set up where he would cook the best stews, chili and anything else he would throw together.  He also made the best barbecue!  It didn’t matter what he threw on the pit – you knew it was going to be good.  After he stopped laying bricks, he worked at Tex BBQ as well as Nathan’s BBQ.  He also deep fried turkeys for others during the holidays.  He truly enjoyed cooking and everything he made was delicious.

Willie lived by the Farmers Almanac.  He used it to know when to plant his garden and used it for a reference for just about anything.  He believed in the phases of the moon – which meant he would only allow his hair to be cut right after full moon.  If it wasn’t cut then, it would have to wait for another month for the next full moon.

Willie also loved the weather.  He was very knowledgeable about the weather and always watched his barometer.  He made his own barometer using a bottle and jar filled with water.  He loved explaining his homemade barometer to anyone who would listen.

Willie was full of jokes and loved to make people laugh.  He told countless stories and he could talk for hours.  His family is grateful for all the wisdom, jokes and stories he shared with them over the years.

Above everything else, Willie loved his family – especially his grandchildren.  He spent countless hours entertaining them when they were younger and would pretty much let them do anything they wanted.

Willie’s 90 years were well lived and he was very loved by his family and will forever be missed.

Willie is survived by his wife, Marjorie (Meyer) Draehn; son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Melissa Draehn; daughter, LaFayne Draehn and special friend, Glenn Roberts. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Gene and Joann Draehn, Lee and Hanne Draehn; brother, Allan Draehn; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Draehn, Deloris Draehn and Glennette Broecker; Sister and brother-in-law, Dianne and Ted Sager; sister, Geraldine Rybarski. Grandchildren, Kourtney and Lee Neumann, Hannah and Cooper Baxter, Mitchell Draehn and fiancé’, Hailey Smith, Sarah Littleton and special friend, Hunter Pieper. Great-grandchildren, Karlee Kay Neumann, Casen Wyatt Baxter and Mason Wayne Pieper.

He was preceded in death by his son, William Boyd Draehn, Parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger and Joyce Draehn, Glen (Pete) and Margaret Draehn; brothers, Elwood Draehn, Alvin (Jimmy) Draehn and Luther Draehn; Sister and brother-in-law, Lillie Mae and Willie Schmidt; brothers-in-law, Edward Rybarski and Donald (Butch) Broecker; nephew, Russell Draehn.

Pallbearers are David Schomburg, Don Boeker, Ricky Kasprowicz, Darrell Schmidt, David Draehn, Scotty Rybarski, Royce Draehn and Kevin Draehn. Honorary Pallbearers are his nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Memory of Willie Draehn can be given to a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main St., Brenham, TX. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.