Leslie Karisch

 Leslie Karisch, 80, of Northrup died the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 at his home in Northrup after an extended illness. Leslie Walter Karisch was born on Oct. 8, 1933 in Winchester to Walter and Hulda (Noack) Karisch. He was baptized on Oct. 15, 1933 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester by Rev. Louis Trinklein. Leslie attended St. Michael’s Lutheran School and was confirmed on March 21, 1948 by Rev. G.W. Heinemeier at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. His confirmation verse was Psalm 27:1, “ The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Leslie attended La Grange High School and after graduation, he  served his country in the U.S. Army. He served one year in Korea and the  rest of his military service was spent in the U.S. Leslie was united in marriage to Gladys LaVerne Zoch on Oct. 3, 1959 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester by Rev. Arthur Arndt. Leslie and Gladys spent the next 20 years living in Houston where they were members of St. Mark Lutheran Church and he was a leader with the Boy Scouts of America. While in Houston, he worked as a machinist  with National Flame and Forge. After moving back to Lee County in 1980, Leslie worked on the maintenance crew for Lee County Precinct 2 and for Invader Boat Factory. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Serbin. Leslie enjoyed working with his model railroad collection, camping and fishing at area lakes and loved to be around and entertain children. Many still remember traveling past his home during the Christmas season to marvel at his Christmas light displays that he and his family created. He is survived by his wife of 54 years of Northrup; son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Susan Karisch of Giddings; daughter, Dana Karisch of Northrup; three grandchildren, Jordan Karisch of

College Station, Jacob Karisch of Giddings and Joshua Karisch of Giddings; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lera and James Ephraim of Winchester and Marian and Melvin Fritsche of Winchester; his brother and sisterin- law, Morgan Ray andDelores Karisch of Jersey Village as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gary Dwayne Karisch; two brothers and a sister- in-law, Elton and Verna Karisch and Roy Karisch; sister and brother-in-law, Yvonne and Hugo Koenning and a nephew, Ray Koenning. Funeral services for Leslie Karisch, 80, of Northrup were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Serbin. Rev. John Schmidt  officiated. Burial, with military honors provided by the Giddings American Legion York Post 276, immediately followed in the church cemetery. Visitation was held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Sunday, Jan. 12,

2014 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The family was present for visitation Saturday evening from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Serving as pallbearers were Jacob Karisch, Joshua Karisch, Kenny Ray, Colton Schimank, Donnie Zoch, Curtis Karisch, Paul Miller and Bryan Zoch. Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings was in charge of arrangements.