Herbert Ernest Gaskamp

Herbert Ernest Gaskamp, 98 of Mosheim passed away on Monday, February 13, 2017 at Lutheran Sunset Ministries, Sunset Home, Clifton. A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, February 15 at 2 PM at St. John's Lutheran Church, Coryell City, led by Minister Christopher Richmann. Organist is niece, Sherry Schulze. Buriel will follow at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Herbert was born April 24, 1918 at home in Coryell County, Texas to August and Mary (Symank) Gaskamp. He was baptized on June 9, 1918 at St. James Lutheran Church, Mosheim by Rev. Schroeder. He was confirmed on August 17, 1933 at St. James Lutheran Church, Mosheim by Rev. J Fred Meghoff.

He married Marie Miihlhause on January 14, 1947 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Coryell City. She passed away on November 23, 1993.

At the age of 17, he got sick with pneumonia. He spent several weeks in Waco at the Providence Sanitarium. Not knowing that he had lost his grandfather, father and brother to the same illness that he had that Christmas of 1935. He always told us that he knew there was a light when the Lord is ready for you, because he had seen it. But the Lord had a different plan for him. When he had recovered from the illness, he quit school to take care of his mother and his little sister, Norene. He worked very hard and was very inexperienced with farming, but his neighbor, Otto Miihlhause, had promised his father, August, that he would help the family. Little did he know that one day, Otto would be his father-in-law.

He played house dances and even played 2 times on the radio in Waco.

He was called to serve his country in December of 1944. He served in Japan, helping get buildings ready for incoming officials like General Douglas MacArthur. He was discharged in November, 1946 and married Marie Miihlhause on January 14, 1947.

Herbert and Marie purchased both home places, which were side by side, and continued farming and ranching. He worked several jobs, including Germania insurance, carpentry work with his Uncle Ernest Symank. He helped with the building of the current St. John's church. He retired from the Texas State School for Boys, in Gatesville, in 1979. He raised every animal a farm could ever have-turkeys, chickens, hogs, goats, sheep, rabbits, peacocks and black angus cattle. He was always proud to say he has lived on the same place since he was 3 years old. He always had a joke for you. He loved to dance and play dominoes with his friends at the Valley Mills Senior Center. He was a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Coryell City.

He is preceded in death by his wife-Marie, his parents-August & Mary Gaskamp, brothers-Lonnie & Henry Gaskamp and sister-Nelda Gaskamp & Norene Gebert.

He is survived by son-Ronnie Gaskamp, Mosheim & special friend, Leeann Sears, daughter & son-in-law-Helen & Steve Olson of Mosheim. Grandchildren- Chad & Sarah Olson of Giddings, Tony & Kristi Olson of Meridian, Fallon & Matt Gaskamp of Austin, Natalie Gaskamp & special friend Dalton of McGregor. Great-grandchildren-Lindsey, Kandra, Mitchell & Max Olson of Giddings, Alexis, Camryn, Ethan, Marli & Knox Olson of Meridian. Sister-in-law, Evelyn Bohne of Gatesville. Several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Chad Olson, Tony Olson, Dennis Weiss, Sean McNeely, Mike Olson and Matt Gaskamp.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Coryell City.

A special thank you to Goodall-Witcher Hospital, Lutheran Sunset Ministries-Sunset Home staff, Sunset Hospice staff and Freddie and Jennifer at Clifton Funeral Home.