Werner Alphonse Halfmann

Werner Halfmann of Lowake, Texas passed to his heavenly home on August 23, 2021, at the age of 88. He was born at home August 5, 1933, in Olfen, Texas to Theo and Emma Hoelscher Halfmann.

Werner attended Olfen school for 10 years and then graduated from Ballinger High School.

He then joined the National Guard in 1951 and in 1953 he volunteered for active duty in the Army. He served for 2 years and was honorable discharged. He also served in the Texas National Guard 36 th Division for 4 more years. Werner was a Korean War Veteran.

Werner married the love of his life, Kay Hartmann on April 23, 1955, in St. Joseph Church in Rowena. They had 4 children, Rhonda, Mike, Craig and Kathryn.

Werner was active in the community. He served on the St. Joseph school and Church board, President of the Lowake Community Center, Lowake Co-op Gin, one of the original founders of the Concho County Junior Livestock Show, and helped build the show barn. He was a charter member and First President of the Miles Young Farmers and later named the Star Young Farmer of Area 4. Werner was chairman of the Board of the FSA for 20 years and in 1998 was awarded the Outstanding Conservationist Rancher and Farmer.

Werner served as Chairman of the Board for Catholic Life Insurance for 4 years and as a board member for 8 years. After serving on the Board, he continued as a salesman for Catholic Life and in 2007 was # I agent. In 2013, Werner won the Fraternal Insurance of Year Award. This is an award given each year to an individual from all the Fraternal Insurance Companies in the USA. He received $1500 award and Werner chose to give it to the Lowake Community Center to be used for playground equipment. Werner loved Catholic Life insurance and made many lifelong friendships while serving there.

Werner was on the Millersview- Doole Water Board for many years. As a boy in Olfen, he hauled many loads of water for livestock, yard and gardens so his goal was to get water to the people who didn't have a water source.

Werner was a rancher and farmer in Lowake and surrounding areas. He loved the ranch life especially his sheep and beautiful cattle. He ranched the Middle Concho Ranch in Mertzon for 39 years. Many good times were had there. He enjoyed the annual barbecue where he cooked for all who attended. He and his family had so many fun times at the White House, Log Cabin, and hunting!

Werner never met a stranger. He enjoyed visiting with his many friends, neighbors, and especially his family. He also liked a good domino game, a party, and a cold beer!

Werner hosted the 4th of July barbecues for the Halfmann family and friends for 55 plus years on the river or the Lake. So many good memories were made with all that attended and so much good food, dominos, and family!

Most of all, Werner was a good and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who devoted his life to his family. They were a great joy to him. Werner had four namesakes, James Werner Quebedeaux, Blake Werner Halfmann, Sebastian Werner Taylor, and Werner Gene Thornton. Werner and his family and friends enjoyed the Barbecues, birthday parties, sheep roundups with Naz at the Turkey Bend party grounds on the Colorado River and later the Island on Lake Ivie. He and his family loved to hunt turkey and fish there. Of course, Werner enjoyed giving rides on Lake Ivie on his pontoon boat. He could tell you what was under the water before the lake came in.

He was reunited in heaven by family who preceded him- his parents, Theo and Emma Halfmann, Mother­ in-Law Linnie Dusek, brother Victor Halfmann, sisters Ruby Dell Pelzel (Wilborn) and Mary Ann Holtman (Wilse) and Dorothy Gemgross (Buddy).

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Kay, daughters- Rhonda Legg (Barry), and Kathryn Hardcastle (Tracy), sons-Mike Halfmann (Sandy), Craig Halfmann (Denise). His grandchildren, Candice Kay Legg, Colleen (Shawn) Wilson, Mark (Jessica) Halfmann, James (Lana) Quebedeaux, Jessica King, Lori (Jeff) Chandler, Stacy (Clint) Taylor, David Hardcastle, Brad (Audra) Hardcastle. Clayton Halfmann, Cindy (George) Napoles.

His great-grandchildren Blake and Mason Halfmann, Caleb Wilson, Jesse Belle Quebedeaux, Georgia and Jackson Chandler, Christian and Sebastian Taylor, Beau King, Lyli Hardcastle, Knox Hardcastle, Paxton

Halfmann, Sienna and Kainen. He is also survived by his sister Jeanie (Charles)Looka, sister-in-law Helen Brandenberger, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

Pallbearers are the grandsons- Mark, James, Shawn, Jeff, Clint, David, Brad, Clayton and Larry and Donnie Pelzel, Danny Holtman, Howard Looka, David Urbanek, and Candy.

Honorary pallbearers are granddaughters - Colleen, Jessica H, Candice, Lori, Stacy, Jessica K, Audra, Lana, Cindy, all his nieces and nephews, officers of Catholic Life Branch 40, and the people at the home office of Catholic Life, present and retired.

A Rosary will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, August 27, 2021, and a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 10 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena, Texas with Father Ariel Lagunilla celebrating.  Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Thanks for all the good times Daddy! Life won't be the same without your wisdom, big smile, and sense of humor.

Memorials may be sent to the St. Joseph building fund, PO Box 96 Rowena 76875, and Lowake Community Center 11985 CR 1884 Rowena 76875.

“See you down the road.”