Edward H. Wolbrueck, Jr.

Edward H. Wolbrueck Jr., 77, passed away January 8, 2012, after a brief but courageous battle against cancer.

He was born April 10, 1934, in Taylor to Edward and Martha Krueger Wolbrueck. He attended school at Wilson Springs and 12th Street schools and, at age 16, graduated valedictorian of the Class of 1950 of St. Mary’s High School.

Edward is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, the former Deloris Simcik; his three children: James and wife Beverly, of Humble; David and wife Anna, of Round Rock; and Susan and husband Edwin West Klingman, of Manitou Springs, Colo.; grandsons, Andrew and Cody Wolbrueck; granddaughters, Kristel Wolbrueck and Devon and Lila Klingman; brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Bonnie Wolbrueck and Donald and Cherri Wolbrueck; brother-in-law Gilbert Baran; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Janet Baran; and daughter-in-law, Vikki Wolbrueck.

A lifelong Catholic and Taylor resident, Edward loved his family, helping people, woodworking, farming, growing things, restoring antique furniture and attending garage sales and auctions. At the time of his retirement, he had worked nearly 50 years at Taylor Builders Supply. He always recalled proudly that during the prolonged 1950’s drought, he helped build houses sold by Taylor Builders that became homes for generations of Taylor residents.

Edward spent much of his life working more than one job at a time. His other jobs included working as a service station attendant, restoring furniture, carpentry, farming the 130-year-old family farm and repairing screens. He was a man of many talents who never tired of sharing his common sense knowledge and how-to expertise with anyone who asked.

For years, Edward and Deloris were avid garage sale goers and can lay claim to holding the first-ever garage sale in Taylor nearly 50 years ago after being inspired by sales in Austin.

Edward’s legacies will include the example he set living a kind and compassionate life; the many treasured heirlooms he restored; and the cooling breezes and beauty he brought to many Taylor homes through his screen repair business.

As perhaps his final lesson to us, Edward reminded us that—in the words of a song he loved--when we leave this world, all we take with us is what we gave away.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Monsignor Lonnie Urban officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylor City Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Providence Funeral Home, with a rosary at 7 p.m.

Pallbearers will be: Daniel Blaha, Jr., David Caffey, Devon Klingman, Lila Klingman, Clarence Simcik, John Simcik, Ronald Steffek, Andrew Wolbrueck and Kristel Wolbrueck.