Crenwelge
Kermit G. Crenwelge of Fredericksburg passed away on Saturday, Jan. 4 at the age of 91 years.
Kermit was born Aug. 15, 1933 in Fredericksburg to Gus Crenwelge and Lina Behrends Crenwelge. He grew up in Gillespie County and was baptized and confirmed at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. His first education was at Wrede Country School and graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1951.
Kermit met the love of his life, Jane Wahrmund on a blind date in February of 1954 in Fredericksburg arranged by their mutual friend and neighbor. After they met on that blind date, they never dated anyone else. They were married July 22, 1956 at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg.
After spending a couple of years in Fredericksburg dealing with the severe drought of the 1950s, they moved to San Antonio. They raised their family in San Antonio and continued to help their families in Fredericksburg maintain the respective family farms every weekend.
During this time, he worked as the manager of Casa Rio Mexican Restaurant and went to night school to eventually earn his BBA from St. Mary’s University. He worked for City Public Service and Army Audit before he took his position in the Health Services Command at Fort Sam Houston, where he was responsible for auditing Army hospitals until he retired in 1995. There were only a few states that he did not travel to during his tenure with the government. He especially loved that he was able to take his family along on some of his trips, Hawaii being one of his favorites.
Weekends throughout his career were spent in Fredericksburg helping on the farm/ ranch. Planting, harvesting, hauling, and caring for animals, and tending the pecan orchard were all necessary. He loved to garden and sell the abundance to local restaurants. The seconds went to Jane’s kitchen to freeze or can. He entered many of the items from the garden and orchard in the Gillespie and Comal County Fairs. He also managed up to 20 hives of honeybees. Each fall meant time spent on the pecan harvest and preparing entries for the local and state pecan shows. Together he and Jane had over 50 championship entries with their pecans. He also enjoyed deer hunting. Luckily, hunting season and pecan harvest were aligned to maximize use of his vacation time in Fredericksburg.
Upon Kermit’s retirement, they were able to spend even more time at the farm in Fredericksburg. Their interests also expanded to antique auctions, estate sales, and garage sales where they spent many days looking for hidden gems. Kermit was active in all of Melissa’s activities including 4-H, Robert E. Lee band boosters, and the San Antonio Lutheran Coronation. He was also a great parade float driver when needed for Lutheran Coronation or the Alamo Area Beekeepers. One of his proudest accomplishments was helping to create the Friends of Gillespie County Schools to save the properties for future generations to enjoy. A fourth of July celebration was not complete without a firework viewing from the Wrede School.
Kermit was active at St. John’s Lutheran Church in San Antonio where he regularly served as an usher. He also became active at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg after his retirement. Kermit was a member of the Alamo Area Beekeepers Association, the Texas Beekeepers Association and the Texas Pecan Growers Association. He was also a key grower in Gillespie county to identify pecan pests and communicate regularly with the county agent to let all growers know when spraying was necessary.
Kermit loved his grandchildren and while Jane spoiled them; he put them to work, mainly in the garden. Root beer floats before bed were always available at Granny and Opie’s house. He especially enjoyed ice cream cone eating contests with Austin at Souper Salads. Abbey got to make the perfect cones to ensure it was an even contest. Kermit usually won. A trip to Round Top was not complete until he had played several rounds of Monkey-inthe- Middle. He was so proud of them and attended as many ballet and baseball events as he could.
Kermit is survived by his daughter, Melissa (Crenwelge) Nedbalek and husband, John David; granddaughter, Abbey Nedbalek; and grandson, Austin Nedbalek. His brother, Dayton Crenwelge, niece Cheryl Sione and family, nephew Scott Crenwelge and family, numerous cousins, and very special friends also survive him.
Kermit was preceded in death by his wife Jane, his parents, and brothers-in-law, Elmer and Leroy Wahrmund.
Funeral Services were held at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church on Monday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Bobby Vitek officiating.
Graveside Services and Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.
Visitation was held on Monday, Jan. 13 from 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. in Holy Ghost Lutheran Church prior to the Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Friends of Gillespie County Schools, or to the charity of your choice.
Pallbearers: Scott Crenwelge, Austin Nedbalek, James Griffin, Jim Hicks, David Seip, and Izmir Brokaj.
Arrangements are by the Schaetter Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter. com.