Kermit A. Muske

Kermit A. Muske, 92, of Houston and recently living in Rutersville, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. Kermit died peacefully at home with his wife and family at his side. Kermit was born in Winedale on May 8, 1925. He was the son of Otto and Anna (Seibert) Muske, and the stepson of Lina Goerhning Quade- Muske. He was baptized into the Christian faith on July 28, 1925 by Pastor A. H. Falkenberg and was confirmed on Dec. 19, 1948 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Houston by Pastor Anton A. Froehlich. He married the love of his life, Josie Lee Hartmann, on April 14, 1951 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in La Grange by Pastor Flachmeier. He was inducted into the U. S. Army in December 1944 and served through September 1945. Kermit caught pneumonia while in basic training and was seriously ill for months. The war ended during his recovery and the remainder of his service time was spent at Camp Swift, Texas. Kermit was a factory trained Ford Air Conditioning Mechanic. He worked at the Jack Roach Ford dealership in Houston and retired after 35 years of service there in April 1988. Kermit was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange but he and Josie were long time members of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Houston where he had served as an Elder, Trustee, Usher and, later, as the caretaker of the Gethsemane Prayer Garden. Kermit loved to barbeque and he always enjoyed helping at the church picnics and family reunions. He was also member of the Sons of Hermann. He was an avid gardener and belonged to the Houston Area Daylily Society and the Houston Hemerocallis Society. His retirement gave him the opportunity to spend more time gardening and traveling, which he enjoyed very much. Kermit was a true handyman and was known as someone who could make or do anything with his hands. He is survived by his wife, Josie Lee; daughter, Diane Johnson and husband, Gary, of Rutersville; and two grandsons: Joseph Daniel Johnson and Michael Arthur Johnson; two great granddaughters: Leslie Ann Johnson and Valerie Kay Johnson; and sister-in-law, Elsie Muske. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Anna Muske; step-mother, Lina Goerhning Quade- Muske; twin sister, Cecil Krause and husband Johnny; sister, OraDel Swahn and husband Walter; stepbrother Nelson Quade and wife Minnie, and half-brother Bernie Muske. Visitation was held on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home. Family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. Burial will follow at Rutersville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 800 N. Franklin, La Grange, TX 78945 or Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 4040 Watanga St., Houston, TX 77018. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements.