Ernest V Patschke

Ernest Victor Patschke, 84, faithful servant, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was called home February 5, 2014.
Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor, TX.

Celebration of Life Services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, February 9, 2014 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale, TX. Burial will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.

Ernest was born in Thorndale, Texas on July 13, 1929, the youngest of eight children to Charles and Martha (Richter). He attended St. Paul Lutheran School and was confirmed in 1943 by Pastor Stelzer. Following the death of his parents, he moved to Austin to live with his brother Louis and attended Concordia High School and Austin High School.
After school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as a fireman on the U.S.S. LST 515 from 1947 to 1950. It was here where his lifelong service as a fireman began.
Upon his return to Central Texas, Ernest married the “one he loved” LauraBelle Olbrich on July 15, 1951. They were blessed with two daughters, Jennifer and Gayle.
Around this time, Ernest began his 32-year career at ALCOA and served the Thorndale community as a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. Through this work, he began a teaching career at Texas Fire Training School in College Station and continued instructing there every July for the last 51 years. This became the whole family’s annual vacation for many years and created an extended fireman family across the state. He led the Thorndale Fire Department as chief or fire marshal for more than 40 of his 55 years of active service. Generations of Thorndale students remember Ernest’s visits to the schools during Fire Prevention Safety Week. He also held numerous offices in the Central Texas Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association.
Beyond the TVFD, he was an active member of VFW Post 4009 and was most recently seen raising the flag at his beloved Bulldogs’ home football games after ushering fans safely into the stadium. He rarely missed a chance to cheer for the maroon and gold or the blue and white of St. Paul and supported the teams through hundreds of sponsorships over the years.
He also gave his time, talent and treasure to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Thorndale Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations. After many “retirements” from his career as an electrician and his active duty in the fire department, he could be found on his tractor tilling his gardens, mowing someone’s yard or making his rounds through town in his white van.
“In other words”, Grandpa loved his family and community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 63 years LauraBelle; daughters, Jennifer Fisher and husband Larry and Gayle Daniell and Tommy Roberts all of Thorndale; grandchildren, Khrys Fisher of Houston, Billie Jo Fisher of Astoria, NY, Brandon Daniell and wife Jenny of Cypress, Adam Fisher and wife Courtney of Thorndale and Derek Daniell and wife Lindsey of Thorndale; great-grandchildren Emmerson, Hannah and Jake Fisher, Cade and Caleb Daniell and Kyla and Cash Daniell; brother-in-law Leroy Olbrich and wife Charlene of Thorndale; niece Glenda Merz and husband Ted of Thorndale; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Daniell, Adam Fisher, Derek Daniell, Micah Merz, Nik Merz, Jeff Olbrich and Chuck Olbrich.
Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department; Johnny Merrill, Roger Anderson, Lynn Bizzell, Les Bunte, Richard Bunte and Roger Moore; and members of Thorndale VFW Post 4009.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church (Thorndale), Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department “and to” Thorndale VFW Post 4009.