Eugene Bothe

Eugene Bothe passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025. He was 92 years young.

Eugene was born in the Meyersville Community to August & Margarethe (Meyer) Bothe on April 28, 1932. He was the youngest of seven children. He was baptized on October 30, 1932 and later confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wiedeville.

Eugene was educated in the Wiedeville schools and attended until the 10th grade. He had many stories to tell including walking to school with no shoes on and getting sprayed by a skunk with his friend Cleburne Rau. Some of his early jobs were picking cotton, baling hay, and driving a milk truck. He eventually went to work for Mr. CW Rankin at Rankin Motors. In 1970, he bought into the dealership and became a partner with Mr. Rankin. In 1974, he bought the dealership and it became Bothe Ford with the famous motto "There's no deal like a Bothe deal"! Eugene dabbled in the dirt construction and cattle businesses also. The highlight of the cattle business was when they would work cows at what was known as the Fink Place. Lots of friends and family would come and help work cows, BBQ, and have a good ole time! He still had cattle and enjoyed checking them up until his death. When Eugene sold the Ford dealership, he went to work for Tegeler Toyota. At the age of 92, he was still selling cars.

On September 18, 1955, he married Elois Kochwelp. They were blessed with 5 children-Jerry, Roxanne, Michael, Ronnie, and Pam. Elois preceded him in death on September 3, 2001.

In 1975, Eugene was struck by a car which broke both his legs and caused other injuries. He was confined to a hospital bed for a year and the doctors never thought he would walk again. He proved them wrong but that didn't mean it was easy for him. He endured pain the rest of his life from those injuries. Although he never let it show, he would say "I'm blessed to be alive and to be out of that hospital bed and that I've gotten to live such a long life."

Eugene loved to dance! If the band was playing, you can bet he was on the dance floor dancing! Even in his late 80's he was out jitterbugging and hardly missed dancing to a song. In 2012 we celebrated his 80th birthday which was supposed to be a small get together that turned into a meal, band, and renting a hall for 600+ of his closest friends. He enjoyed that night so much and would still talk about it years later.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elois, his siblings and their spouses: Lonnie Bothe, Melvin Bothe, Ervin Bothe and wife Anita, Delores Zuehlke and husband Bill, Irene Helmer and husband Charlie, and Clarence Bothe. Son in law: Louis Thiel, sister-in-law Bea Winters, brother-in-law Doug Winters and sister-in-law Judy Winters, nephew: Fritz Zuehlke and his wife Dorothy.

Gene is survived by his children: Jerry Bothe and wife Cheryl, Roxanna Thiel, Michael Bothe and wife Olga, Ronald Bothe and wife Sarah, and Pamela Bothe. Grandchildren: Christy Burleson and husband Trey, John Bothe and wife Emilie, Sara Bothe, Drew Bothe, Jackson Bothe, Hannah Seaman, Haley Seaman, and Kambryn Hamilton. Great grandchildren: Jake Burleson and Jhett Burleson. Special friend: Nadine Rau. Niece: Maude Linda Jakubik and husband Lyndon, Nephews: Larry Winters and wife Rhonda, Allen Winters, Mark Winters and wife Sylvia and many great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

We are very grateful to Larry Tegeler and the employees of Tegeler Toyota for all you have done for him over the years. He loved getting to go to work everyday and being able to visit with his customers.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Brenham Memorial Chapel from 5:00-7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 14, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Pallbearers are Trey Burleson, Jake Burleson, Russell Rogas, Ron Eilers, lan Schroeder, Mark Winters, Steve Brockman, and JJ Jozwiak.

Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the employees of Tegeler Toyota.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wiedeville, Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department, or Syngap Research Fund.org.

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