Arthur Edward Markgraf Sr., 96, of La Vernia, Texas, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2026. He was born in the family home on August 15, 1930, in Guadalupe County, New Berlin, Texas, to Arthur Frank Markgraf and Annie (Foerster) Markgraf.
Arthur attended Old New Berlin School and proudly went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force.
After his military service, Arthur began a long and dedicated career with Lone Star Brewery, where he worked for 44½ years. While working full time at the brewery, Arthur also made time to run the family farm, working alongside his children raising livestock and crops to provide most of the food for the growing family. His strong work ethic and dedication reflected the man he was—dependable, hardworking, and committed to providing for his family.
Arthur married the love of his life, Margie Ann Jahns, on September 26, 1953, and they shared 62 beautiful years of marriage until her passing in 2015. Together, they built a life centered around family, hard work, and love and made countless treasured memories, all while watching their children grow and eventually enjoying their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their family was their greatest joy and legacy.
As a couple, they found time for fun, participating in 9 pin bowling leagues at the Germania Bowling club and the Bexar Bowling club. Several of their children remember the Sundays spent with Mom and Dad, earning a few dollars setting bowling pins (yikes!) before the automated setters were brought in. As the children grew up and moved away, they were always ready for a turn-around trip to Coushatta or Kickapoo, where they loved the Double Diamond Deluxe and Lucky 7 slots (that is until they moved away from real coins in the quarter machines to those penny slots with those ticket things!!). They took several trips and had a wonderful time in the apple orchards and mountains of Arizona. Arthur and Margie also liked to dance the waltz and Arthur carried on this tradition with his daughter, daughters-in-law and even some of his granddaughters at their weddings.
If there was a sporting event in La Vernia, you can be sure they were there on the sidelines cheering on one of their children or grandchildren. Even with everything going on, Arthur would find time to take the boys down to the coast for some overnight fishing.
Their greatest joy was spending time making memories with the grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren. The grandchildren have fond memories of riding on the tractor with Grandpa or heading down to the creek in the old truck to fish or skip rocks on the water. Many of the grandchildren remember staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s in the summer to attend a week of Vacation Bible School and evenings spent jumping on the trampoline. At some point each of the grandchildren would get washer pitching lessons from Grandpa and were happy to participate in friendly, family washer pitching games. Arthur never met a cheese Ench-i-la-dee that he didn’t like and his daughter, daughters-in-law and even some of his granddaughters’ baked cookies and cakes for him to satisfy that sweet tooth!
As the children and grandchildren grew up, they always knew they could stop by Arthur’s and they would find him out under the carport, enjoying the evenings outside. He was always willing to take the grandkids on the EZGO for a trip down to the bridge to check the water level and he enjoyed it when the grandsons came by for some dove hunting and a Lone Star (or two). You couldn’t leave the house without an offer of some fresh tomatoes that he had grown in his garden. Arthur was on the go until almost his 96th birthday, with daily trips to La Vernia to get the newspaper and maybe pick up a scratch off (or two), which he would keep in his shirt pocket until they were fermented and ready to be scratched!
Arthur leaves behind a lifetime of memories that will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. Though Margie passed before him, the love they shared never left Arthur. Her memory remained a part of him and their family, and the life they built together continues through the generations that followed. It lives on in the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren they loved. His love of family, his sense of humor, his hardworking spirit, and his enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures will be remembered by all. His hands may be at rest, but the life he built and the love he shared will carry on through the generations. Arthur will forever be loved, forever be missed, and forever remain a cherished part of the family he held so dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Margie, daughter-in-law, Kathleen and his sisters Rosalie Rennspies, Elizabeth Buehring, Grace Riddles, and Joyce Klatt.
Arthur will be lovingly remembered by his children: Arthur Markgraf Jr. and wife Shirley, Gary Markgraf, Rick Markgraf and his late wife Kathy, Kevin Markgraf and wife Tammy, Tim Markgraf and wife Kim, and Jana Markgraf.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Arthur III “Trey” (Misty), Christopher (Jennifer), David, Edan (Danny), Noah (Lily), Chance (Ashley), Brier (Katy), Kelsey, Kayla (Ryan), Ashley (Cary), Heather (Tyler), Zach (Maci), Travis (Stephanie), Megan (Brett), Dustin (Alli), and Jessica (Chase).
He was blessed with 19 great-grandchildren: Christopher “CJ” (Hope), Matthew, Caleb, Clay, Zachary, Haylie, Lilly, Bodhi, Baylor, Clara, Charlotte, Camille, Colt, Hayden, Harrison, Gannon, Whitley, Brooks and Cooper. He also had 3 great-great grandchildren: Alec, Bowen, and Hayden.
Arthur is also survived by his sister, Barbara Brietzke, Stepbrother, Charles Lenz (Vicki), brother-in-law, Leroy Buehring, brother-in-law Duies Jahns and sister-in-law, Linda Jahns.
He will be dearly missed by his numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many friends whose lives he touched throughout his 96 years.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 28th at 5:00 PM– 8:00 PM with rosary starting at 6:30 PM at Finch Funeral Chapel in La Vernia.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, September 29th starting at 10:00 AM at Finch Funeral Chapel in La Vernia.
Interment immediately following the service at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park
Pallbearers will be Arthur Markgraf III, Chris Markgraf, Noah Markgraf, Chance Markgraf, Brier Markgraf, Zach Markgraf, Travis Stewart and Dustin Norman.
Honorary Pallbearers will be David Markgraf, Ryan Lich, Tyler Ayres, Brett Teschner and Chase Bradfield.