Elton Wilbert Kaase of Schulenburg passed away on Wednesday, June 30 at 4:30 p.m. at St. David’s in Round Rock with his daughter Melissa Shepard and son-inlaw Barry Shepard at his side. He reached the age of 81 years, 10 months, 11 days.
Funeral services took place on Thursday, July 8 at 10 a.m. at United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Swiss Alp, with Lemae Higgs officiating. Interment followed in the Schulenburg City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Cody Young, grandson; Arthur Konecny, grandson-in-law; Brian Lux, nephew; Jason Berger, friend from Schulenburg Family Fitness Center; Tim Broheimer, friend from Schulenburg Family Fitness Center; and Jimmy Hester, friend.
Elton was born on Aug. 19, 1939 to Wilbert and Martha (Ohnheiser) Kaase at the family home in Freyburg. He attended Abbott’s Grove School until the eighth grade when he transferred to Schulenburg High School, graduating in the class of 1958. On July 8, 1961, Elton married Joyce Marie Lux at St. Rose Catholic Church and they had three children – Sheryl, Melissa and Darren.
He started his first career path as a barber, having a shop in downtown Schulenburg. From the barber shop, he went on to have two grocery stores: MK Market which later moved and changed its name to Kaase Market. That is where he started his next venture, catering for local events. He later moved to Austin where he owned a bar and grill before coming back to Schulenburg in the mid-1990s, when he started working at Oma’s Choice as a delivery guy. He was a member of the Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department and Jaycees.
Survivors include his “beautiful soulmate,” Betty Mulholland; a daughter, Melissa Shepard and husband Barry of Schulenburg; and a son, Darren Kaase of Austin. He is also survived by three grandchildren and their families – Barry Shepard, wife Kim and daughters Lauryn and Sydnie of Columbus; Jessica Konecny, husband Arthur and children Levi, Greyson and Sky of Schulenburg; and Cody Young, wife Hannah and son Cy of Fresno.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Wilbert and Martha Kaase; and a daughter, Sheryl Young.
Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.