Awald Stelzel

On September 18, 2016, Awald John Stelzel left this earth to be reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Georgia. Awald would have celebrated his 99th birthday and their 70th wedding anniversary in October. Awald was born to Hattie and Conrad Stelzel on October 7, 1917, in East Bernard. He was one of five children-brothers Harvey and Edwin and sister Mildred, who have preceded him in death, and Bernadette Kamprath, his youngest sister, who lives in Brenham. As a young man, he worked with his parents on the farm and worked part time at the National Furniture Factory until he joined the Army on Dec. 5, 1941, just two days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served just short of four years, with only one 24-hour trip home. Awald returned home from the service in 1945, moved to Columbus as a carpenter and met and married Georgia Foster in 1947. While living in Columbus, the first two of their four sons were born-David in Columbus and Larry in Weimar. In 1952, the family moved to East Bernard, where Harold and Philip were born. Awald farmed cotton, milo and corn until he retired in 1980 at the age of 63. However his farming years weren’t through as he helped all four sons farm well into his 70s. It wasn’t until he had a hard time climbing into those “big” tractors that he actually retired. Even though he was a farmer by trade, he continued to use those early carpentry skills making pieces for friends and family. He made beds, cabinets, lamps, tables, etc., throughout the years. In his latter years on the farm, he enjoyed making and sharing with friends domino boxes, wahoo boards, flag holders, napkin holders and other decorative pieces. He could always be found in the garage working with his variety of tools. He loved to browse the carpentry magazines for a new challenge. His last big project was a red wagon for each of his great grandsons for Christmas in 2014. Awald was known throughout East Bernard for his garden and fruit trees, which he shared with family and friends alike. Many of the fig tress around town were started from seedlings of his trees. Another source of pride was his garden. He always raised more vegetables than his family needed, so if you were lucky enough to be there for a visit, you were sure to go home with a bag full of goodies. He was also known for his keen sense of humor and wonderful memory. Even in recent years, he still entertained friends and family with humorous stories from the past, giving details of long-ago events, leaving everyone amazed. Awald was a life-long member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church and a long-time member of American Legion, Post 226. He was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He was a kind and loving person who enjoyed sharing anything he had with anyone. He will be greatly missed by everyone who was blessed to know him. He leaves behind his family-David and Brenda, Larry and Sandy, Harold and Suzanne, and Philip and Elizabeth. Eight grandchildren lovingly called him Grandpa-Melissa and husband Matt Rizvan, Shae and husband Tyler Menard, Brittany and husband Matt Perez, Mark and wife Stacy Stelzel, Brooke, Lyndsay, Blake and Keith Stelzel and Leslie Esparza, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Hannah, Hailey and Alexis Rizvan, Cash and Carson Menard, Mads Perez, and Gavin Esparza. Many people helped us take care of our parents these last years. We would like to thank the staff at Elmcroft Senior Living for their care and attention. A special thanks goes to Angelina Black, who came to them as a caregiver and continued their relationship as a friend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Holy Cross Church Parish Development Fund, PO Box 1325, East Bernard, TX 77435. Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.whartonfuneralhome.com