Kenneth Moerbe

Pastor Kenneth Erwin Moerbe, 82, of Brenham passed away on September 1, 2025.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Brenham, TX with Pastor Donna Krueger officiating. Cremation to follow service.

Kenneth was born on February 16, 1943 to Aurora Anne Jurk and Erwin Herbert Moerbe in Houston, TX. He was Baptized on February 28, 1943 by Pastor Oliver Harms at Trinity Lutheran Church in Houston. On April 14, 1957 he was Confirmed in faith by Pastor Martin Ramming at Trinity Lutheran Church in Austin. He grew up primarily in Houston and Austin attending Lutheran parochial Schools (K-8) and Concordia Academy, Austin (9-12).

He was united in marriage to Paula Barkley on January 25, 1975. They had one son, Ross, who with his wife, Jessica, live and work in Houston, TX

His education included an Associates of Arts from Concordia Jr. College in Austin TX; Bachelor of Education from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, 1965; Masters of Education from Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 1972; Masters of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA, 1979; Doctorate of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Seminary, Austin, TX, 1989. He also earned 15 hrs. toward a PH D in American Religious History at Texas A&M University, 1993-95.

His vocational experience included Teacher-St. John's Lutheran Church and School, College Point, NY (Borough of Queens), 1965-69. Principal/Teacher-St. Johns, 1966-69. Instructor-History Department, Texas State University, 1972-75. Part-Time Instructor-Austin Community College, 1975-76. Pastoral Services Worker-San Marcos Treatment Center of the Brown Schools, 1976-78. Assistant Pastor, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brenham, TX, 1979-82. Administrative Pastor, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brenham, TX, 1982-1996. Senior Pastor, St Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, TX 1996-2002. Executive Director, Caritas of Waco, 2002-2009. Interim Pastor, St. John's Lutheran Church, Coryell City, TX, 2006-2010.

His volunteer services included numerous Non-Profit Governmental/Community Social Service agencies and Religious/Church/Synod Organizations while living in Brenham and Waco. Most recent service in the Waco area includes founder and Chairperson of the McLennan County Hunger Coalition, Chairperson and Board Member, Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition, Chairperson and Board Member of the Greater Waco Interfaith Conference, Co-Chairperson of the Poverty Solutions Group, Member of the Waco City Council's Poverty Solutions Commission, President and Member of the Friends of the Waco McLennan County Library, Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors of Mission Waco/Mission World, President and Board Member of the Community Race Relations Coalition, Member and Board Member of the Waco Kiwanis Club, Member of the Waco Unit of the NAACP.

Recent Service includes: Volunteering at Mission Brenham, The Washington County Senior Center, Brazos Valley Hospice, the Faith Mission and Help Center of Brenham, the Brenham Mission Society, board member. (Ev. Lutheran Church in America, Brazos Valley Conference)

He is survived by his son, Ross Moerbe and wife, Jessica; sister, Donna Moerbe. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Paula Moerbe; brother Victor Moerbe; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Samuel and Lola Barkley.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make memorial donations in Kenneth's name to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Brenham.