Henry Ganske

Henry Lockett Ganske was called home to the Lord on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at the age of 86 years, with his wife by his side.

Visitation will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 15 at Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville, with Pastor Karen Buck officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing will be encouraged and face masks will be required at the service.

Henry was born on May 25, 1934, in Wallis, TX, to Paul and Annie (Kiesewetter) Ganske. Henry was baptized on May 17, 1942, at Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church in Gay Hill, TX. He was confirmed on May 9, 1948, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sealy, TX. Henry graduated from Somerville High School in 1953.

Henry married the love of his life, Laverna Gaskamp, on July 2, 1955, at Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville. Shortly after his marriage to Laverna, Henry was drafted to the United States Army from 1957-1959. After his discharge from the United States Army, Henry and Laverna called Brenham home.

Henry started his career as a carpenter for Boots Broecker Construction. Later in life, Henry became a devoted carpenter for Walter Thielemann Construction until his retirement. In his career as a carpenter, Henry helped build several local churches in the area: Columbus Catholic Church, Frenstat Catholic Church in Burleson County, Friedens Church of Washington UCC, Salem Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville, where he was the last one to step off the roof when it was completed. After retirement, Henry cherished every day he got to spend with Laverna by his side.

Henry’s favorite event was taking Laverna to the Valentine’s Day dance every year. Henry and Laverna enjoyed dancing, as he would have Laverna on the dance floor from the time the dance started until the dance ended. Henry also enjoyed family barbecues in the back yard, fishing, hunting and camping.

Henry is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Annie (Kiesewetter) Ganske; brother, Elroy Ganske; sister and brother-in-law, Wilma Mae and Garrett Hugo; parents-in-law, Delmus and Lydia Gaskamp; and brother-in-law, Arthur Grimm Jr.

Henry is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Laverna Ganske; sister-in-law, Cathy Ganske of Brenham; brother-in-law, Delfred Gaskamp of Brenham; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Grimm, Lydia Green and husband Milton and Linda Lehde and husband Gary, all of Brenham; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Doug Hubby, Steven Karp, Tracy Lehde, Lance Lehde, Charles Gaskamp and Dwayne Muske. Honorary pallbearers will be Henry’s nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be given in memory of Henry Ganske to the Cemetery Fund of Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville or to Hospice Brazos Valley.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham, TX, 979-836-4564.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Henry Ganske , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.