Harriet "Kay" Reichwein

Harriet “Kay” Hill Reichwein, 89, a longtime resident of Brenham, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior at Argent Court Assisted Living, on the early morning of January 24, 2025, after a long and blessed life.

Kay was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was born January 8, 1936 in Port Arthur, TX to Florence Kilgore Hill and Samuel Douglas Hill. At the age of eight years old her family moved to Texas City, TX.

Kay had a deep appreciation for the legacy left by her ancestors. Her great grandfather, Frank B. Davison, was a prominent civic leader and pioneer in Texas City. He was a first in many capacities: city commissioner, postmaster, school trustee, bank director, opened the first store and had the first telephone in Texas City. She often talked about the Texas City Disaster which occurred in April, 1946. Kay remembers the explosion and the windows being blown out of the school she attended, Danforth Elementary School. They used the school gym as a morgue. She graduated from Texas City High School in 1954.

Kay attended the University of Houston for two and half years where she met her husband, John “Kenneth” Reichwein, Jr. They married on September 1, 1956 in Texas City. She was employed as a secretary for Tennessee Gas Pipeline in Houston for five years prior to the birth of her first child. She then assisted her husband with 2-K’s Television Repair and Antenna Systems Installation prior to packing up their family to move to Brenham, TX. After moving, she was employed at the Brenham High School, the Brenham State School, and then for Dix R. Turnbow and Ronnie Hinze for 35 plus years.

More than anything, she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved working in her yard and cooking for family and friends; never did you walk in her house and there not be a fresh pie, cake or chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen. In the fall, she could be found under the pecan trees; she enjoyed picking up, shelling and sharing. She also loved to watch or listen to the Houston Astros.

Kay was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Brenham. At age 83, she graduated from the Brenham Citizens Police Academy, where she volunteered until the age of 87.

Kay is survived by a son, Robert Reichwein and wife Lori; daughters Deanna Callahan and husband Michael and Linda Zientek and husband Gilbert; grandchildren Jason Zientek, Jacob Zientek, Jenna Zientek, Dustin Reichwein and wife Lara, Taylor Boeker and husband Trenten, Michael Callahan II and wife Megan, and Matthew Callahan; great grandchildren Adelynn Kay Callahan, Raelynn Callahan, Carson Boeker, Camryn Boeker and Tucker Reichwein; brothers Dr. Henry Hill and wife Louise of Tucson, AZ and James Hill of Dallas, TX; numerous other family and friends.

Kay is preceded in death by her husband, John Kenneth Reichwein, Jr., in March of 2006; her parents and brother Edwin Hill.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Argent Court Assisted Living and Brazos Valley Hospice who provided her with heartfelt care.

Visitation will be on Sunday, January 26, 2025 from noon until 6pm at Brenham Memorial Chapel. Family will be present from 4-6pm.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 10:30am at the First United Methodist Church of Brenham.

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