Dennis Penkert

Dennis Penkert, 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 23, 2024.

Dennis was born in Burton, Texas on January 23, 1935 to Elfie Sehlke and Otto H. Penkert. He was baptized on March 31, 1935 at Zion Lutheran Church in Zionsville and later confirmed on April 10, 1949 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg. He married the love of his life Doris M. Bethke September 23, 1956 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rehburg. They had 2 children, Darrell in 1957 and Donna in 1960.

Dennis worked in road construction and was passionate about it. He started working at Robert Lange construction in Brenham with his father at the age of 15. He worked there until he was 25, moving to many different cities in Texas. In 1961 he moved his family to League City, Texas and shortly thereafter moved to Friendswood, Texas and started his 40+ year career working for Walter M. Mischer Sr. He quickly worked his way up to superintendent of Mischer Paving. Dennis led crews in the 1960’s and 70’s that were responsible for paving many roads and parking lots in and around Houston such as I-10, I-45 the Gulf Freeway, FM 518, FM 528 and NASA Road 1. In 1976 Dennis and crew began construction of an airstrip in the west Texas town of Lajitas. There, he also oversaw the paving of new roads for the future resort city. In 1988 Dennis was sent to Belize, Central America to teach the locals how to use heavy equipment to build roads and create infrastructure for a new Minute Maid plant. In 1982 Dennis and Doris decided to move back to Burton although Dennis continued to work in Houston until 2006 when he retired at 71.

Dennis could not sit idle even after retiring so he raised cattle as a hobby. He joined the Burton Volunteer Fire Department, the Burton Cotton Gin, and was on many committees at Abiding Word Lutheran Church. He also was a Lifetime Committeeman of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Dennis was a man of God and he lived his life dedicated to God and service.

Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years Doris, his daughter Donna and son-in-law Steve Baker of Alpharetta, Georgia and his son Darrell R. Penkert of Cypress, Texas; grandchildren Laurel Baker, Austin Baker and Kelsey Penkert; great-grandchildren Faith Mathis, Rylee Baker, Whitney Keene and Lainey Keene; brother and sister in-law Johnny and Brenda Bethke; nephew J.W. Bethke and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Elfie Penkert; mother and father in-law John and Lorena Bethke.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Burton Volunteer Fire Department.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 7th at Brenham Memorial Chapel noon to 7pm with family being present from 5-7pm. A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 8th at 10:30am at Abiding Word Lutheran Church Brenham with inurnment following at Prairie Lea Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Burton Volunteer Fire Department.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Condolences may be shared at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.