Roger Sommerfeld Obituary

Posted by mllccarmine in Obituary December 20, 2023

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Remembering Roger Sommerfeld

We grieve and we give thanks for the life and ministry of Roger Dale Sommerfeld. He died on Saturday, December 16, 2023, after a recent decline of his health.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 21st from 8 am until 7 pm, with family present from 5 to 7 pm at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

The funeral will be at MLLC on Friday, December 22, at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the Hills Cemetery following the service. A memorial luncheon will be back at the church following the committal service. All are welcome at all events.

Information about memorial contributions is on this page after the obituary. Please consider supporting these organizations with monetary gifts in memory of Roger.

Obituary

Roger Dale Sommerfeld

May 24, 1955 – December 16, 2023

Roger Sommerfeld, age 68 of Carmine, passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023.

Roger was born May 24, 1955, in Brenham, Texas to Emanuel and Mildred (Spiess) Sommerfeld. He was baptized July 7, 1955, at Salem Lutheran Church by Pastor Otto K. Oelke and later confirmed June 29, 1969 by Pastor F.T. Sager. Roger’s Confirmation Bible Verse was: Mark 16:16, which reads: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

He attended Wesley School before attending Brenham High School, from where he graduated. On June 4, 1977, Roger was married to Carol Ann Rosenbaum at Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville by Pastor James Witschorke.

Roger loved working and took great pride in doing his best. From high school until the time of his illness, he worked with his friend and business partner Max Baranowski, Jr. Over the years their services evolved from the early years of custom hay baling, to the small feed store at Max’s house. Later they did application of fertilizer and then opened Round Top Farm & Ranch. In his final years of work, he ran dozers. He made house pads, driveways, tanks and any other dirt work a customer needed. He was quite the pro at looking at a piece of land and able to envision the final product that the customer was asking for.

He took great pride in teaching his grandchildren the tricks of the trade. He had the biggest smile while watching Jake help him move equipment, when the landowner told him, “That’s a big tractor for a little boy.” His love for all things tractor and equipment related was passed onto his son and two grandsons. Many hours were spent working on antique tractors on the weekends, which usually was a family affair. An annual trip to the Temple Tractor Show was always on his calendar. Just this past October, he took Jake to the tractor pull where he was awarded 1st place in his weight class, a great accomplishment for Roger.

When his beloved wife unexpectedly died in 2018, Roger took on the role of Grandpa and Granny. If grand kids needed anything, no matter how small, he would drop what he was doing and make it happen. Whether it was leaving at 5am to make a road trip to watch a full day of Makayla’s club volleyball or an early morning trip to Corpus Christi to watch her run in the Regional Cross Country meet, he was there. He would also work all day and then leave to make a 2 hour road trip to watch Jake’s basketball or baseball games or watch one of Austin’s football games. He traveled to Edna to watch Olivia compete in her first Fair Queen Pageant. He rarely said no, and the grand kids loved to see him cheering them on. He enjoyed going to the Jackson County Fair, watching Olivia and Austin show their fair projects and enjoyed a fun evening with them during the auction.

One of his other pastimes was late evening rides through the back roads of Fayette County. Many Saturday evenings, you could find him riding the back roads with Makayla, as he was teaching her to drive while listen to all kinds of music. While Roger was not a hunter, he always helped the boys keep their feeders full. When it was time to make deer sausage, he was always ready for the full day of work. He often was a man of few words, but around good friends and family he was full of stories and great memories. He looked forward to his annual trip to Iowa to the tractor shows with his good friend Norris. This was the only time he would take a full week off from work.

Roger is preceded in death by his wife Carol; parents; parents-in-law Irvin and Virgine Rosenbaum; brother Charles Otto Sommerfeld and niece Brittany Ridley.

Roger is survived by his loving family: son Justin and wife Elizabeth, daughter Melissa and husband Jason Smith; grandchildren Olivia and Austin Sommerfeld, Makayla and Jake Smith; sisters Carolyn and husband Gilbert Goeke, Kathy and husband Daryl Gummelt; brother-in-laws and wives Lary and Dixie Rosenbaum, Gary and Diana Rosenbaum; nieces and nephews Sean and fiancé Brittany Hohlt, Jill Rosenbaum, Jeffory and Rachael Goeke, Tracy and Ken Meier, Leigh Ann and Adam Seilheimer, along with numerous great nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors.

Pallbearers will be: Sean Rosenbaum, Jeffory Goeke, Kino Salinas, Raul Salinas, Bradley Raska and John Kruse. Honorary pallbearers will be: Norris Fuchs, Max Baranowski Jr, Eugene Hall, Rodney Read, Monty Mayer, Daryl Gummelt, Gilbert Goeke, Lary Rosenbaum, Gary Rosenbaum and Jerry Krebs.

Memorials may be made to Round Top-Carmine ISD Booster Club, Texas Early Day Tractor & Engine Association or

Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine

P O Box 362

Carmine TX 78932-0362

Online Giving

or a charity of one’s choice.

William T. “Sonny” Marth, Sr. Obituary

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Obituary and tagged with christianity, faith, family, Lutheran, Martin Luther December 18, 2023

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Remembering William T. “Sonny” Marth, Sr.

We grieve and we give thanks for the life and ministry of William T. “Sonny” Marth. He died on Friday, December 15, 2023, after a recent decline of his health.

The funeral will be at MLLC on Monday, December 18, at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the Carmine City Cemetery following the service. A memorial luncheon will be back at the church following the committal service. All are welcome at all events.

Information about memorial contributions is on this page after the obituary. Please consider supporting this organization with monetary gifts in memory of Sonny.

THE OBITUARY

William “Sonny” T. Marth Sr.

January 6, 1934 — December 15, 2023

William “Sonny” T. Marth, Sr., 89, of Carmine, Tx passed away on December 15, 2023. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, December 17th at Memorial Oaks Chapel. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 on Monday, December 18th at Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine with burial following at the Carmine City Cemetery.

Sonny was born on January 6, 1934, in Carmine, TX to Reinhard and Anita Oberrender Marth. He was baptized on April 29, 1934, and confirmed on March 21, 1948, both at Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, Texas. His confirmation Bible Verse was John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”” Sonny was united in marriage on March 8, 1958, to Dorothy Siegmund by Pastor George Reck and they were married for 65 years.

He was a member of Martin Luther Lutheran Church and the Carmine Volunteer Fire Department. At Martin Luther Lutheran Church he served on the most recent Pastoral Call Committee in 2011-2012, and in various other areas of ministry.

William was most notably a caregiver much of his life. Starting after a brief stent in the Army, he was released early to come home to help take care of his younger siblings when his father died.
He loved his wife Dorothy beyond measure and took very good care of her throughout their 65+ year marriage.

His career was as a well-respected machinist in Houston, working for Cameron Iron Works. He also ran his own business as a machinist.

Sonny enjoyed learning. He especially enjoyed learning about cooking and gardening as evidenced by his many books and magazine subscriptions about them. He acquired a love of cooking at an early age. He was always looking for ways to improve his garden and shared his knowledge with others. As a Master Gardener (Fayette County), he enjoyed helping Round Top-Carmine elementary children and various children at the Round Top Family Library learn about gardening. He loved canning and preserving the fruits of his labor, which he shared with family and friends. Sonny absolutely loved to cook and was not afraid to try new recipes!

Sonny cared deeply about people and dedicated many hours to Carmine Cemetery Association, Carmine Lions Club, Carmine Hall, and serving on Carmine City Council. He gave so much of his time to helping others through these organizations and various fundraisers. He will truly be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Deborah Marth; sister, Ruth “Tootsie” Schneider; brothers, Reinhard John “R.J.” Marth and Ralph Wayne “Butch” Marth.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Marth; son and daughter-in-law, William “Billy” and Susan Marth of Waxahachie; sister, Jo Ella Littlejohn of Brenham.

Memorial gifts are encouraged for:

Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine

P O Box 362

Carmine TX 78932-0362

Online Giving

or a charity of one’s choice.

Advent Wednesday Series 2023

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Crossroads Shared Lutheran Ministry December 5, 2023

Advent Wednesday Series

Advent is coming soon after Thanksgiving. Again we will gather on Wednesdays with our Crossroads Shared Ministry congregations for evening prayer and devotion. The theme for this year is the hymn: Joy to the World. This hymn contains themes appropriate for both Advent and Christmas. It is listed as the first hymn in the Christmas Section in Lutheran Book of Worship, our old green hymnal, and the final hymn in the Advent section of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, our red hymnal. The theme is inspired by the Advent coin which is being used this year. See photo above.

The services will be led by the two pastors in our Crossroads group, Pastor John David Nedbalek and Pastor David Tinker, along with one sermon by Deaconess Jennifer Tinker from MLLC.

All services will be held in the fellowship hall at Martin Luther in Carmine.

Fellowship Meal at 6 p.m.

Worship in the Advent Wreath shaped worship space at 7 p.m.

December 6 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Message by Pastor John David Nedbalek

December 13 No more let sin and sorrow grow

Message by Deaconess Jennifer Tinker

December 20 He rules the world with truth and grace

Message by Pastor David Tinker

We look forward to seeing you at worship on these Wednesdays of Advent.

Decorate the Tree – November 26

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Youth November 16, 2023

Christmas Decorating 2017 Tree

Join the Fun and Joy

We will gather after worship on Sunday, November 26, 2023, to decorate the MLLC Sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas Seasons. This will take place about 11:00 a.m. on that Sunday. We need plenty of volunteer workers of all ages to help with this fun and joyful event.

As always, we gather for worship at 10 a.m. on Sunday. We will celebrate Christ the King Sunday, the end of our Christian Church Year. Then we are invited to stay to decorate.

We also offer worship every Saturday at 6 p.m.

One of the joys of our decorating is the use of Chrismons. As part of our decorating we will hang the Chrismons for the tree. These were made following patterns suggested and offered by the originators of Chrismons (click this link for more information from the official web site of Chrismons).

Here are some of the Chrismons which were carefully wrapped for storage since last year.

Here are some photos of our crew setting up the tree and preparing the lights in previous years.

Our Olive Wood Nativity Set will be ready for set up as well.

Our pulpit will be moved to a back corner to make room for the tree and Nativity scene.

Obituary for Ruth Schoenemann

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Obituary November 1, 2023

Remembering Ruth Schoenemann

We remember longtime member of MLLC, Ruth Schoenemann. She died on October 27, 2023, after a recent decline in her health.

There will be a visitation with family present on Wednesday, November 1, 4-6 p.m., at Memorial Oaks Chapel Funeral Home in Brenham. The funeral will be at MLLC on Thursday, November 2, at 10 a.m.

Memorial Contributions

See the end of obituary for details on how to make memorial contributions in memory of Ruth. Her family has designated the church as the primary recipient. There are mention of other idea for memorial contributions as well.

Obituary

Ruth Schoenemann

February 4, 1932 — October 27, 2023

Essie Ruth Kennedy Schoenemann, 91, a longtime resident of Washington County passed away on October 27, 2023. At the time of her death, she was residing in a care facility in Temple.

Ruth, as she was known to her friends and family, was the only daughter of James and Essie Kennedy. She was born on February 4, 1932, in Walnut Springs, Bosque County, Texas. Ruth’s father died before she entered elementary school. Her widowed mother was left with three children, Ruth and her two older brothers. Ruth’s mother who was partially impaired by a chronic physical condition relied on Ruth’s maternal grandparents for assistance with raising the children.

Ruth graduated from Walnut Springs High School in 1949. During her high school years, Ruth played on the girls’ basketball team and was a member of the yearbook staff.

While attending a party, Ruth met Virgil Spence whom she married in 1951. They made their home in Hearne where they raised their two children, Virgil Bryant Spence, Jr. and Beverly Ruth Spence. Both children graduated from Hearne High School.

In 1986, Ruth met and married Herman Schoenemann, Jr. and moved to Brenham. The couple began their life together by “dancing and traveling” which they continued to do for the many years that followed. Ruth also enjoyed taking part in Herman’s ranching activities.

Ruth worked for Brookshire Brothers in Hearne until her retirement.

Ruth was an excellent seamstress and cook. She loved entertaining and prepared all the food served at her parties. Ruth made suits and dresses for all her children’s formal affairs while they were in school. She also enjoyed working in her flower beds, the results of which proved worthy of a prize from the Garden Club.

When Ruth married Herman, she gained four “bonus children” whom she loved as her own. She enjoyed visiting with them wherever they lived.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herman Schoenemann, Jr., her brother Lester Ray Kennedy, her brother James Edward Kennedy and her son Virgil Bryant Spence, Jr.

She is survived by: Beverly Mathis and husband Mike, daughter-in-law Catherine Spence Worthington, stepson Marty Schoenemann and wife Janine Brown, stepson Cliff Schoenemann and wife Julie, stepdaughter Pam Rosas, stepson Trent Schoenemann, 13 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to:

Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine

P O Box 362

Carmine TX 78932

https://mllccarmine.com/online-giving/

Also consider:

Walnut Springs High School

Hearne High School

Any library of your choice

Any animal rescue of your choice.

Reformation Sunday – October 29, 2023

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Crossroads Shared Lutheran Ministry, ELCA October 26, 2023

Special Worship Schedule and Location – October 29

No Service at MLLC on October 29 – Worship at Lutherhill instead.

We will have worship on Sunday, October 29, but it will not be at MLLC. Instead, worship will be held at our local Lutheran Church camp, Lutherhill Ministries. We will gather for worship at 9:30 a.m. in the Carby Chapel on the camp grounds. The photo above shows the Carby Chapel from the road and parking lot viewpoint.

After Worship – kids time

Sunday School for children, led by Lutherhill staff

We look to have a strong showing from the people of Martin Luther Lutheran Church, and all the Crossroads churches, for this special event.

Remember, we will not have a worship service on Sunday, October 29, at MLLC (or any of the Crossroads Shared Lutheran Ministry congregations). See below for what is happening Saturday.

Saturday Evening Worship Service – October 28

MLLC will offer the usual, Saturday evening service on October 28, at 6 p.m. – All are welcome.

Reformation Sunday

The Crossroads Shared Ministry Committee chose this date for our shared worship service due to it being a special day for Lutheran Christians. October 31, 1517, was when Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the Castle Church Door in Wittenberg, Germany. Here is a link for a modern English version of this important, Lutheran document. This link includes information about the content and meaning of the 95 Theses.

Regarding your offerings:

The offering at the 4 Church service may be given as follows –

By your regular offering envelope from your respective church.
Cash or check – Checks pay to your chosen church

The offering will then be separated by tellers –

Envelopes will go to each respective church
Checks (without envelopes) will go to the Church shown as the payee
All cash will be counted and given to the Lutherhill Ministries to support their facilities expansion.
There will also be a separate basket at the back of the church for separate & special donations toward Lutherhill’s capital campaign that has been underway for funding the construction of a new dining hall and retreat facilities near Carby Chapel.

Getting to Lutherhill

We encourage you to bring folks who may be uncomfortable traveling to the camp on their own, or who would need a ride. This will be a wonderful event for all ages.

Lutherhill is located just north of La Grange at 3782 Lutherhill Rd, La Grange, TX 78945. Once you enter the main camp entrance, you will be heading east. Follow the long gravel road until you see the signs for Carby Chapel. This will lead you to follow a road to the left/north, which leads to the chapel. This part of the camp is depicted on the map noted right below on this page.

Carby Chapel is in the north central part of the camp.

Here is a close up of the portion of a map with Carby Chapel and nearby parking.

This is a once a year special event in which we gather with our group of 4 Crossroads Shared Lutheran Ministry partner churches for a time of worship and learning.

The four Crossroads Shared Lutheran Ministry congregations are:

St. Paul Lutheran in Shelby (Fayetteville)

Bethlehem Lutheran in Round Top

Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran in Ledbetter

Martin Luther Lutheran in Carmine

Seafarer’s Christmas Boxes 2023

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Men's Ministry September 26, 2023

seafarers-2016-packing-1

Christmas Boxes for Port of Houston Seafarers – Loving Our Neighbors

You are invited to participate in this continued ministry of MLLC. Each year for several years the Men in Mission of MLLC have organized the caring work of Christmas Boxes for Port of Houston Seafarers. We have heard that the Seafarers Christmas Boxes are needed more now than ever. Our love for these neighbors will help them to know the love of God and to make life less difficult for them. We will be collecting items and preparing the Christmas Boxes for the Port of Houston Seafarers. The goal for this year is 100+ boxes.

The Packing Day for the Boxes for Seafarers is Monday, November 20, at 12:00 noon. The work will take place in the Parlor, near the church offices. All are invited to participate.

For this year (2023), please gather items such as these for the men on the ships – you can buy things throughout the fall drop these off at any time up until 12 noon of November 20. There is a large blue storage bin for this purpose in the room directly across from the church office.

The Port of Houston Chaplains note this about the list: Full-sized items are preferred over small travel size. Please no liquid soap, bar soaps or bottled water.

Here is the 2023 list of requested items:

Please provide new items. Consider how to love your neighbor in how you choose and give items.

Address books
Band-aids (fabric)

Small Bible and/or devotional materials
2024 pocket Calendars

Cold weather caps/Balaclavas
Comb
Dental Floss
Antiperspirant/deodorant
Disposable razors

Earbuds/headphones – wireless

First Aid Kit – mini
Flashlight (small) and appropriate batteries

Gloves, light weight for work (Sizes M, L, and XL)

Gold Bond cream
Gold Bond powder

Gum and hard candy
Hot Chocolate (individual serving size)

Key chains
Kleenex – small packs
Lip balm
Lotion
Nail clippers/Nail grooming kit

Nescafe instant coffee
Needles and thread/sewing kits

Notebooks – pocket sized

Mechanical pencils
Pens, ball point
Playing cards

Popcorn – microwave individual packs
Q-tips
Shaving cream

Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash – 3-in-1

Snacks – non-perishable
Soap
Socks

Stress Ball/Mini games
Sudoku and word search books

Texas souvenirs

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
T-shirts (new) sizes M, L, and XL

Tumblers (insulated)
USB flash drives

Multi-vitamins/Fish oil pills
Whistle, small

Word search books

Reformation Sunday at Lutherhill 2023

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Crossroads Shared Lutheran Ministry September 18, 2023

Special Worship Schedule and Location – October 29

No Service at MLLC on October 29 – Worship at Lutherhill instead.

We will have worship on Sunday, October 29, but it will not be at MLLC. Worship will be held at our local Lutheran Church camp, Lutherhill Ministries. We will gather for worship at 9:30 a.m. in the Carby Chapel on the camp grounds. The photo above shows the Carby Chapel from the road and parking lot viewpoint.