Elwood C. Draehn

Elwood C. Draehn, 71, of Brenham, and husband of Deloris Draehn passed away during the early morning on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Trinity Medical Center.

He was born February 15, 1938 in Washington County to Willie and Selma (Emshoff) Draehn. He was baptized on April 17, 1938 and confirmed May 18, 1951 at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Salem. On April 23, 1961 he was united in marriage to Deloris Ann Sander also at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Salem, where he held his lifelong membership. He worked for the Texas Highway Department for 22 years and the City of Brenham for 15 years. He served in the 389th Division of the Armored National Guard. He enjoyed going to Birch Creek Forest at Somerville Lake, seeing his grandsons, and spending time with his special friends, Ben and Floyd, as well as numerous others. Elwood had a special gift of making people laugh. He always had a joke or a funny story to share. Elwood was a wise, kind, caring, and hard working person, always wanting to help others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lille Mae Schmidt, brother Jimmy Draehn, nephew William Draehn, sister-in-law Margaret Draehn, father-in-law H.O. Sander.

His loving family includes: his wife Deloris; son Russell Draehn of Brenham; daughter Connie Draehn of Houston; son and daughter-in-law Keith and Tara Draehn of Katy, and grandsons, Dylan McCade and Dawson Charles; mother-in-law Elsie Sander; brothers and sisters-in-law Willie and Marjorie Draehn, Roger and Joyce Draehn, Glenn Draehn, Lee and Hanna Draehn, Luther and Evelyn Draehn, Gene and Jo Ann Draehn, Allan and Peggy Draehn; sisters and brothers-in-law Dianne and Ted Sager, Geraldine and Edward Rybarski and Willie Schmidt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Fred and Ann Sander and Donald and Sheila Sander, along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be Monday, May11, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 10 a.m., in Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Salem with Rev. Lydia Paterson and Rev. Charles H. Parnell officiating. Interment will follow in the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Ralph Becker, Morris (Bubba) Brewton, Matthew Ehlert, Raymond Graves, Chris Freemann, Ben Meyer, Ralph Poehlmann, and Ted Sager. Honorary pallbearers are his grandsons, Dylan and Dawson.

Memorials may be given to Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Salem Memorial Fund, 1500 Salem Rd., Brenham, TX 77833 or Brenham State School, 4001 Hwy 36 South, Brenham, TX 77833.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com