Owen Zeiss

Owen Henry Zeiss, the husband of Joan Schmid Zeiss was born in Brenham on November 27,1928 to Gladys Maye Whitmore Zeiss and William Henry Zeiss.  He passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the age of 95. 

Owen, better known as “Bubba”, had a knowledge of Brenham history and loved to share it with everyone.  He grew up on Main Street and had many escapades as a youngster when times were safe, and everyone looked out for each other.  Many lifelong friendships started on the streets of downtown Brenham.  Many stories were told of those times.  Some of that time was spent with his grandfather, Isaac Whitmore who taught Bubba the art of monumental masonry.  They created, installed, and repaired many of the early tombstones at Prairie Lea Cemetery. 

Owen graduated from Brenham High School, Blinn College, and Sam Houston State Teachers College with a B.S. in Agri Education.   He taught Ag for a number of years.   He was engaged in agriculture his whole life working on the land owned by the Zeiss family since1885, operating Zeiss and Kuecker Dairy.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  Owen was the eighth Eagle Scout in Washington County, of which he was very proud.  He enjoyed many hobbies, including water sports, hunting, and reading, but wine making, and stained-glass art were his favorites.

Owen married his high school sweetheart, Joan Schmid. They were married 72 years.  They had two children, Jomaye Zeiss Schmidt and Jeffrey Owen Zeiss.   Owen was very active at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church as a member since 1951.  The church was his life, doing volunteer work and holding most elected positions numerous times.  He was most proud of the countless hours he spent in support and the building of St. Peter’s at its current location and of his participation in the design and building of the Columbarium.

Owen was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and William “Billy” Zeiss; mother and father-in-law, Joe and Tracy Schmid; brother and sister-in-law, William E. and Patsy Zeiss; brother-in-law, Wilfred Kuecker; sisters-in-law and brothers- in-law, Tanya Golibart McClendon and Bill Golibart; and Rozaine Weiss; daughter-in-law Catherine Moran Zeiss; and special friend Marice Wills. 

Survivors are his wife, Joan Schmid Zeiss, daughter and son-in-law Jomaye and Eddie Schmidt, son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Betsy Zeiss, sister, Barbara Kuecker.  Grandchildren, Blair Schmidt, and Brenna and Russ McKinley.  Also, Heidi and Jason Jaster, Wyatt and Tracy Matthies, Megan and Jody Campbell, and Lance Matthies.   Great grandchildren, Destiny, Rusty and Bella McKinley, Saeger Jaster, Isaac and Everleigh Matthies, Delton and Auggie Campbell. Additionally, special friends Claude and Mary Mabry. 

A Memorial Service is planned for Thursday, June 13, 2024, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 11:00 am.  Private family commital of ashes in the Columbarium at the church will take place prior to the service.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial in Owen’s name, please consider St. Peter’s Episcopal Church or charity of your choice.

The family is eternally grateful for the services that Traditions Hospice provides.  Many thanks to all the special people that came in and cared for Owen during the past months.  You all truly have such a special gift, and we appreciate you being there to comfort our family when specialty services were most needed.