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Glen Howard Kokel
Glen Howard Kokel
Glen Howard Kokel was born on October 16, 1946, in Georgetown, Texas, to Victor and Leona Kokel. He was welcomed into Heaven on June 3, 2025, at the age of 78. He grew up on the family farm in Jarrell and was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas. At the age of 13, he attended Concordia Lutheran High School in Austin, Texas. He graduated from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska in 1968. While teaching at a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod school in Houston, Texas, another teacher caught his eye. He married Joyce Timm of St. Louis, Missouri, in 1971.
After teaching three years, he transitioned into the foodservice industry and continued in that industry for over 50 years until his retirement in 2022. During that time, he started his own business and was well-respected as an expert food broker.
Glen and Joyce cherished their three children and six grandchildren. After retiring, they moved to Jarrell, Texas and became members at Zion Walburg. In his retirement, Glen spent his time growing vegetables, fixing the windmill, and attending an occasional food show. Throughout his life, he enjoyed frying fish, cooking steaks, hunting, and fishing. He kept his Lee County ponds stocked with catfish to ensure his grandkids had successful fishing adventures. He greeted others warmly with a firm handshake and a never-ending smile. He was known to carry on Uncle Harold’s catch phrase “Keep Smiling.”
Glen is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Leona Kokel. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce (Timm) Kokel, three children; Kristen (Wes) Brannon, Zachery (Jennifer) Kokel, and Stefani (Josh) Hobratsch; six grandchildren; Kaitlyn Brannon, Riley Kokel, Bethany Kokel, Joshua Brannon, Ethan Hobratsch, and Grace Hobratsch, and three siblings; Milton (Sylvia) Kokel, Larry (Dorothy) Kokel, and Dale (Laddie) Martinka, along with a large extended family who loved him dearly.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Ramsey Funeral Home (5600 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78633). A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church (6101 FM 1105, Georgetown, Texas 78626), followed by interment at the Zion cemetery and a time of food and fellowship in the Zion gym.
Memorials may be given to the Learning Legacy Endowment of Zion Lutheran School (6101 FM 1105, Georgetown, Texas 78626) to support Lutheran education for generations to come.