Herbert William Lunow

Herbert William Lunow, age 103, of Flower Mound, Texas, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in Eden Home, New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas. Herbert was born September 16, 1907 in the house that his immigrant parents built in the German community of Round Grove near Lewisville, Texas. He lived there with his parents and later with his wife, Minnie, until he bought his own farm in October 1939. Their farm was on Long Prairie Road, which later became part of Flower Mound, Texas. They made their home in Flower Mound until 2002, when they moved to Houston in order to be closer to their son, Jerry and his wife Diane.

Herbert attended Lewisville High School. He married Minnie Evelyn Smith November 8, 1934, in The Old Historic Round Grove Church in Lewisville. They were married until 69 years later, when she proceeded him in death on November 15, 2003. Also preceding him in death were his maternal grandparents, Louise Joanna Esch Barfknecht and Frederick Wilhelm Barfknecht; his paternal grandparents, Regine Duwe Lunow and Fredrick Wilhelm Lunow; his parents, Helena Anna Louise Barfknecht Lunow and Wilhelm Fredrick Lunow; his daughter-in-law Jane Marie Gettle Lunow (son Ed’s first wife); and his siblings, Werner August Stephen Lunow who died November 8, 1989, Alfred Fredrick Lunow who died October 20, 1989, Flora Johanna Louise Schreiber who died January 7, 2002, and Erna Viola Silk who died December 4, 2007.

Although he did not serve in the military, he served his country by staying Stateside and growing the requisite food for the Army during WWII. Herbert was a lifelong farmer & rancher. He enjoyed playing 42 and card games, laughing and joking with friends, and a good family gathering. He loved animals, and especially the many dogs he had over the years. When he was 12, he became a member of Round Grove United Church, which was started by his grandparents and other family members. March 25, 1973 Herbert was named Artist of the Week in Lewisville. Herbert was active in numerous groups and organizations. He also served on many juries over the years. He traveled throughout his life and took long and varied road trips exploring the continental United States. With Minnie, he took trips to Europe, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, California, Florida, Maine, Colorado, and New Mexico. He and Minnie also enjoyed summer camping trips with their sons and other family members to Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Smokey National park.

Herbert was a proud and devoted father to his sons, Jerry Mac Lunow and Wilbur Ed Lunow, and their wives Diane Abney Lunow, of Wimberley, Texas, and Betsy Gray, of Asheville, North Carolina--all surviving. He is also survived by grandchildren Jerie Dee Lunow Kelly and husband Michael James Kelly, of Austin; Sara Christianna Lunow, of Asheville, North Carolina; Tracie Meshelle Lunow Sell and husband Phillip Larry Sell, of Wimberley, Texas; John Jacob Lunow, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Heather Diane Hunziker and husband Tobias David Hunziker, of Austin. He is further survived by twin great-grandchildren McKenna Claire Kelly and Quinn Jackson Kelly, both born October 16, 2005, who were very special to him. His twin sister, Herta Helene Tucker of Gladewater, Texas; and nieces and nephews Frances Jo Lunow Kimmel of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Carl Christian Schreiber, Jr. of Euless, Texas, Rebecca Ann Tucker Hand of Plano, Texas, and William Thomas Tucker of Gladewater, Texas also survive him.

On March 20, 2011 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon there will be a grave-side service and interment next to his wife, Minnie Evelyn Smith Lunow, in Round Grove Cemetery, 249 East Round Grove Road, Lewisville, Texas. Zoeller Funeral Home,in New Braunfels, Texas (phone #830-625-2349) is in charge of arrangements.

Herbert was a good, kind, and gentle man; and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He will be missed.