Gilbert Lauter
Born December 18, 1926.
Employed Feburary 6, 1950.
Retired May 31, 1986.
Passed Away September 13, 2007.
Mr. Lauter was born on December 18, 1926 in Washington, son of Willie J. and Matilda Schulze Lauter. He was baptized February 6, 1927 by the Rev. F.W. Braune and confirmed his faith November 9, 1941 by the Rev. Kurt Schmeichen. Gilbert attended Washington public schools before graduating from Navasota High in 1945 and Blinn College in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines on March 20, 1945 and was discharged in October 1946. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 5, 1946 and was stationed in Germany with the occupation force before receiving an honorable discharge on May 4, 1948 as a sergeant.
Gilbert then married Ruth Borgstedte on August 15, 1948 in Frieden's Church by the Rev. Paul Piepenbrok. Their marriage was blessed by three daughters, Inez, Judy and Jean. Mr. Lauter began his 36-year career with Gulf States Utilities in Navasota in 1950. In 1968, he was promoted and transferred to Conroe, where the family made their home until his retirement on June 1, 1986. While in Conroe, the Lauters attended the First United Methodist Church. Upon retirement, they returned to Washington where Gilbert reconfirmed his faith at Frieden's Church in December 1986 and served the church on various committees, as a council member and as Sunday school superintendent in the 1960's.
Mr. Lauter was a member of Navasota VFW Post #4006, having served as Post Commander from 1995 - 1997 as well as other offices, District 17, and state committees. From 1988 to 2000, he served as a board member of the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District. Gilbert was also a member of the Washington Sons of Herman Lodge serving as manager, president and local agent. He was also a past president of both the Gulf States Utilities Retiree's Sideliner's Club and the Washington Local Texas Farm Bureau (1991 - 1993). Mr. Lauter was a member of IBEW before promotion and served as local president and member of the Bargaining Committee. He even found time to serve as president of the Navasota Camp Fire Girls Council from 1966 - 1967.
Mr. Lauter was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Matilda Lauter; brother, Bobby Lauter; and sister, Shirley Turner.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth; daughters and son-in-laws, Inez and Glenn Fuqua of Navasota, Judy and Gary Bogan of Washington, and Jean and Jesse Mitchell of Sugarland; grandchildren, Brian and Erica Bogan of The Woodlands, Brad and Sherri Bogan of Washington, Wade and Tonya Fuqua of Navasota, Lauren and David Keef of Irving, and Christine Mitchell of Sugarland; great-grandchildren, Cameron Bogan of The Woodlands, and Addie Bogan of Washington.
Serving as pallbearers are grandsons, Brian Bogan of The Woodlands, Brad Bogan, of Washington, Wade Fuqua of Navasota, and David Keef of Irving; nephews, Scott Turner of Waller, Daryl Lauter of College Station, cousins, Dale Borgstedte of Brenham, and Bernie Roese of Washington. Honorary pallbearers include Harold Kolkhorst of Houston, Leonard Coleman of Navasota, and Albert Hartstack of Washington. Jose Martinez, Carl Dry, Alton Aga, and David Railsback of VFW Post # 4006 served as honor guards, and John Boyd of VFW Post #4458 presented the American flag. The family invites you to leave a fond memory or kind words at www.noblesfuneral. com