Teddy “Ted” Royce Parks, passed away on Aug. 9, 2026, in Fort Worth, at All Saints Hospital, at the age of 84 following a brief illness. Ted was born on Sept. 2, 1941, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston to James Elmer Parks, Sr. and Minnie Carolyn Wellman Parks.

Funeral services for Ruth Placke, 93, of Giddings, were held at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings with Rev. Robert Tiner and Rev. Joshua Hahn officiating. Burial followed in the Giddings City Cemetery.

Funeral services for Melvin Bamsch, 88 of Giddings, were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings with Rev. Robert Tiner and Rev. Joshua Hahn officiating. Burial followed at St. Michael’s Lutheran Cemetery in Winchester.

Libby (Kokes) Geistmann, 88, of New Ulm, passed away peacefully on Sept. 6, 2026.

Florence Mae Otto, born Florence Mae Stork, passed away on Sept. 1, 2026, in La Grange, at the age of 96.

Peter James Begin, of La Grange, at the age of 83 years old, passed away on Aug. 29, 2026, at his home with family by his side.

Lurraine Elizabeth “Rainey” Schmidt, 77, of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully on Aug. 23, 2026, in Fayetteville.

Virginia Lou Wied Behrens Schaefer, age 86, passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2026, in Smithville.

Donald R. Peikert, 82, of Alleyton, passed away peacefully on Aug.

Don G. Benson, Jr. died on July 30, 2026, at the age of 85. Don was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Kitty, and is survived by his daughters, Pat and Liz, their spouses Norm and Dan, grandsons Alex, Matt, and Tony, granddaughter Erin, and great-grandchildren Aoife and Rowan. Despite recent health setbacks, Don’s passing has been a shock to his family and close friends.