Hilbert C. Kraft

Hilbert C. Kraft of College Station, Texas, formerly of the Rosenberg area, passed away on July 29, 2008 at the age of 86. H. C. was born in Needville, Texas to parents, Hugo Sr. and Ella Meyer Kraft on February 4, 1922. He was a Son of the Republic of Texas due to his great grandparents being First Founders of New Braunfels, Texas in 1844 before Texas joined the United States when Texas was a Republic. They were also First Founders of the First German Protestant Church in New Braunfels, Texas which is still in operation to this day. H. C. graduated from Richmond High School in the Class of 1942. He then went on to become a welder at the Todd Shipyard in Houston, Texas. He joined the Navy and was a Seabee having served his country during WWII mostly on the Tinian Islands. He was a Life Member of the Caldwell, Texas VFW Post 4458 where he served as Post Trustee and Post Jr. Vice Commander. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge Order of the Sons of Hermann, Lodge #153. When Hilbert returned back to the United States he met and married Lillie Mae Goocher in Dearborn, Michigan. Four daughters were born to this marriage. After living in California for awhile, they moved back to Fort Bend County and farmed near Damon. Here Hilbert served as a Director for the Damon Farmers Gin and served as Secretary for the Damon Lions Club. He then moved his family to the Rosenberg area where he worked as a welder for Koenig Welding Supply before going into private business. He became certified as a welder inspector at Rice University. After the death of his wife, Lillie Mae, in 1988, Hilbert became reacquainted with a childhood friend, Leola Schreiber. They married and lived at Lake Somerville before finally settling in College Station, Texas. Hilbert is preceded in death by his parents, Hugo Kraft, Sr. and Ella Meyer Kraft; first wife and mother of his children, Lillie Mae; sister, Helen Mahlmann and husband, Max; brother, Hugo Kraft, Jr.; brother-in-law, W. E. "Bill" Seiler; and niece, Jean Elaine Mahlmann. Mr. Kraft is survived by his wife, Leola Krause Kraft of College Station; daughters, Suzanne Kraft of Waller, Texas, Katherine Kraft Jarisch of Bryan, Texas, Rosemary Kraft Smith and husband, Rex, of Kerrville, Texas, and Debra Kraft Boyd and husband, Billy, of Bedias, Texas; grandchildren, Darrell Lindemann and wife, Sharon Kay, of Fairchilds, Texas, Kevin Lindemann and friend, Sabrina, of Damon, Texas, Marla Gardner and husband, Rick, of Waller, Texas, Chris Jarisch and wife, Jennifer, of Denver, Colorado, Brandon Boyd and fiancé, Allison, of Conroe, Texas, and Brian Boyd of Bedias, Texas; sister, Ella Kraft Seiler Brown and husband, James Steven Brown, of Rosenberg; sister-in-law, Frances Kraft of Needville, Texas; great grandchildren, Jenna Kay Lindemann of Fairchild, Texas, Chloe and Claudia Jarisch of Denver, Colorado, Heather Lee and Miranda Gardner of Waller, Texas; nieces and nephews, Pamela Klawitter and husband, Dr. Art Klawitter, of Needville, Texas, Bruce Mahlmann and wife, Debra, of Richmond, Texas, Ernie Mahlmann and wife, Brenda, of Cypress, Texas, Hugo Kraft III and wife, Laurie, of Needville, Texas, Edwin Kraft of Needville, Texas, Sharon Davis and husband, Syd II "Ren" Davis, of Richmond, Charles E. Seiler and wife, Patty, of Richmond, Texas; along with other relatives and many friends. Pallbearers will include Darrell Lindemann, Kevin Lindemann, Brandon Boyd, Brian Boyd, Charles Seiler, Bruce Mahlmann and Hugo Kraft III. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P. M., Monday, August 4, 2008 at Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg with interment following in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P. M. until 8:00 P. M., Sunday, August 3, 2008 in the State Room of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg.

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Hilbert C. Kraft

February 4, 1922 - July 29, 2008