Sommerfeld

ElGene Sommerfeld, 84, of Round Top, passed away on Dec. 4, 2022 in Brenham.

ElGene was born on May 27, 1938 to Bennie and Dora (Krause) Sommerfeld in Carmine. He married Mary Ann Ruether in a double ring ceremony on Nov. 16, 1958 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fayetteville. ElGene was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved and was proud of his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

ElGene worked a variety of jobs, more notably at the Y in Carmine; as a carpenter in Austin; and as a manager for The Wray Ranch in Columbus. Later in life, he and Mary Ann moved to Round Top where he enjoyed his own ranch and was the owner/operator of The Sommerfeld Place in Warrenton. ElGene was a member of the Walnut Creek Optimist Club in Austin, Knights of Columbus #2971 in Columbus; Fayette County Wildlife Management Association and Colorado County Wildlife Management Association. He was fond of polka music, dancing, hunting, and ranching. ElGene took pleasure in barbecuing with family and friends on his custom pit; he was delighted with the many awards won by his Gene’s Country Cookers and Gene’s Gals. Throughout his life he enjoyed visiting with family and friends, especially at the Warrenton Antique Shows.

ElGene is survived by his sons, Marvin Sommerfeld and wife Gwyn of Dripping Springs and Mike Sommerfeld and wife Julie of West Point; grandchildren, Lauren Preston and husband Kevin, Kyle Sommerfeld and wife Yesenia, Carson Sommerfeld, Brandon Sommerfeld, Brooklyn Sommerfeld and fiancé Mark Smolka, and Layton Sommerfeld; greatgranddaughters, Keeley Preston and Nihan Sommerfeld; and nephew, Danny Gerik and wife Lisa who held a special place in his heart.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann; parents, Bennie and Dora Sommerfeld; and brothers, Vernon Sommerfeld and Wilbert Lee Sommerfeld.

Pallbearers are Brandon Sommerfeld, Carson Sommerfeld, Layton Sommerfeld, Kevin Preston, Kyle Sommerfeld, Mark Smolka, and Stewart Kaiser.

Visitation was at 5 p.m., with parish prayer service and Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 at the Henneke Funeral Home at 1515 Montezuma Street in Columbus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., with visitation at 9 a.m., on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 207 East Bell Street in Fayetteville; Fr. Steve Sauser will officiate.

Burial will take place in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Columbus.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, P.O. Box 57, Fayetteville, Texas 78940.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus.