Obituaries

Virgene was born on January 9, 1931 in Fayette County, Texas to Otto & Edna Schwenke and passed away on January 20, 2023. He moved to Corpus Christi when he was a child and graduated from Roy Miller High School. Virgene joined the Marine Corp. in 1950 and served for 3 years till he was discharged in 1953. He moved to Aransas Pass in 1968. Shortly after moving to Aransas Pass he established Schwenke’s Rifle and Pistol Range. Virgene worked for Reynolds Aluminum as a Millright for 37 years. While working for Reynolds he built Schwenke’s Storage Units through the years. After retiring Virgene served as a San Patricio County Constable. He also had Schwenke’s Feed Store for a short time. Virgene served as a Master Mason for more than 62 years at the Aransas Lodge #1018 in Aransas Pass, Texas. Virgene is proceeded in death by his wife of 46 years, Kathleen Schwenke and his sister Dallars Kosarek. He is survived by his sisters Gloria East Caves of Goliad and Dolly Brown of Silver City, New Mexico; 4 children, Deborah Rackley (Carl) of Cedar Park, Texas; Eric Schwenke (Diane) of Aransas Pass, Texas; Rebecca Schwenke Pippin of Aransas Pass, Texas; and Alphonse Schwenke of Freeport, Texas; 7 Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandchild.