Henry August Kalmbach

Funeral services for Henry Kalmbach, 81 of Fedor, Texas, are scheduled for 5:00 PM at the Lexington Cemetery Pavilion on Sunday, July 13, 2025 with Pastor Robert Tiner officiating. In honoring Henry's wishes, no visitation will be held. A celebration of life will be held immediately after the graveside services at Holy Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall in Fedor, Texas.
Henry August Kalmbach Jr. was born on February 13, 1944, the youngest son of Henry G. Kalmbach Sr. & Adele Louise Winkler Kalmbach. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and as a youth attended parochial school in Fedor before attending Giddings High School. He met the love of his life during the Lee County Trail Ride Days while riding his horse from Lexington to Lincoln, Texas. He told the story of a Ford truck pulling a horse trailer with the Rodgers twins at the helm. Sandy Rodgers caught his attention while riding past Henry on horseback. This was the spark that kindled what would become a 58 year marriage. The happy couple was united in marriage on August 11, 1967 at the First Baptist Church in Lexington. July of 1970 brought their first born son, Jody Jason, and in March of 1974 their second child, Mimzie Lynn, was born and this completed Henry's family of four.
Work was a common theme throughout Henry's life. Henry worked several cattle auction barns each week until an opportunity with Alcoa Aluminum presented itself. Henry started his 43 year career in the smelter tending the pots that melted aluminum. After 15 years in the super hot pot rooms he qualified for an apprenticeship to become a member of the maintenance department. For the next 28 years he did aluminum welding replacing the aluminum bus that powered the huge smelting pots that created molten aluminum. Alongside his Alcoa career, Henry farmed and raised peanuts until 1984, raised beautiful cattle, as was the master Fix-It Guy for anybody that needed a repair. He was to welding what a surgeon is to a scalpel. There wasn't a challenge he wouldn't accept when it came to welding. Many people didn't know that Henry also broke horses prior to going to work at Alcoa.
Henry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sandra Rodgers Kalmbach of Giddings; children Jody & Tricia Kalmbach of Fedor; and Mimzie & Craig Dennis of Leander; five grandchildren, Kirsten & Chad Siegmund and Ashton & Dondre Turner of Giddings, Kennedee & Erickson Wilson of Waco, Tanna & Caleb Ging of Bryan, and Bodie & Calsey Furry of Giddings; six great grandchildren Conrad, Sawyer, Sophie Jo, and Coraline Siegmund of Giddings, Townes Wilson of Waco, and Elsie Rae Turner of Giddings; one sister Linda Kalmbach Crewse of Flower Mound; sister-in-law Francis Kalmbach of Fedor; and sister & brother-in-law Pansy & Hugo Ellison of Marquez. Henry also had many nieces, nephews, and great nieces & nephews.
Henry is preceded in death by his parents Henry G. & Adele Kalmbach, in-laws Joe & Emogene Rodgers of Lexington, brothers Marvin Kalmbach & John Kalmbach, sisters Wanda Schulze & Eleen Schulze, brothers-in-law Clarence Schulze & Gilbert Schulze, and sister-in-law Irene Kalmbach of Marlin.
Henry was a devoted family man and will be remembered for the exceptional devotion he had to our mother, Sandy Kalmbach. He truly fulfilled his vows "Until Death do Us Part" with a relentless desire to give her the best life he could even though a horrible disease made it nearly impossible. Henry was a man whom you knew where you stood with at all times. Fishing, hunting and a freshly baked cookie or cake were all the reasons needed to stop working and enjoy the moment. There was always time to spend with the grandchildren and he truly enjoyed his family. His love, devotion, and commitment will be greatly missed by those of us who knew him best.
"Go rest high on that mountain dear father, Dad your work on earth is done."
The family is grateful for the incredible care he received at Oakland Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Giddings, Texas. They truly went beyond our expectations, feeling more like family and less like caregivers. We would also like to thank all those who have visited, called and checked on Dad, and have offered their condolences since his passing. All of this truly reminds us why we live in a small community.