MICHAEL DALE P

Michael Dale Poenitzsch, 80, of Cuero passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2025. He was born January 3, 1945 in Cuero to Jessie and Mary Louise Oellers Poenitzsch. He was baptized at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Cuero and is now a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Lindenau. Michael married Margie Ann Rau and later moved to Angleton to raise his family.

After high school Michael attended Delmar College in Corpus Christi earning a certification in welding. In 1964, he worked as a certified welder in GTAW, SMAW, GMAW and SAW processes. He was employed by numerous construction companies including, Brown & Root, Austin Engineering Co, Bechtel Corp, H B Zachery, Payne & Keller, Tecon Green, D&N Construction and C&M Construction, as a Welder or job site inspector. Hard working nature was evident in his career as a welder.

In 1972, he was employed with K&L Welding in Angleton as the quality control manager overseeing, building, fabricating and repairing pressure vessels. In 1984, he became co-owner and vice president of K&L Welding. Michael went onto working in refiner-ies and chemical plants as a welding inspector.

After retirement he kept busy constructing BBQ-pits, bumper-pull trailers, fire pits, and coffee tables. He was very creative and built things to last. If something broke he was the repairman. He also had the joy of taking care of his granddaughter “Bitsy” as he called her, taking her on his daily trips to the coffee shop and who knows where else. Visits from his grandchildren were always a highlight in his life and he was an influence to them all.

In 2011, Michael and his wife moved to his family farm in Cuero where he grew up. He enjoyed working with his cattle. He took pride in keeping the farm well groomed and keeping the place nice. He loved hunting with his son and all of his grandchildren and family. If you went hunting and saw a deer and did not shoot, he would tease his grandkids and say “oh a no shooter!” He loved to tease his family. He adored his family, always wanting the best for them. While Michael was very head strong and firm in his beliefs he had a big heart full of love and kindness, he was a very giving person.

He is survived by his wife, Margie; daughter, Tamara Poenitzsch; grandchildren, Courtney Poenitzsch Freeman (Jake), Michaela Ann Reynolds, Alexandria Joy Poenitzsch (Tyler), Cory Wayne Reynolds and Hunter Troy Poenitzsch; great-grandchildren, Westlyn Faith O’neal, Walker Wade Freeman, and Tucker Troy Freeman; daughter in law, Marti Poenitzsch; brother in laws and sister in laws, Franklin and Susie Rau, Elva Petersen, Mike and Joy Gyllenband and Carol Rau and his favorite little buddy, Rusty.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Alex and Amelia Quast Oellers and Otto Max and Hermina Baca Poenitzsch; son, Michael Troy Poenitzsch; sisters and brother in law, Marsha Poenitzsch, and Shirley and Harold Holtman; sister in law and brother in laws, Marie and Gladney Harrell, Alton Rau, John Petersen and niece and nephew, Patsy Holtman and Derek Collins.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 18, 2025, 5-7 PM at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 10 AM at Freund Funeral Home with Rev. Jan R. Putnam and Chaplain Rand Bentson officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Cory Reynolds, Hunter Poenitzsch, Jake Freeman, Kirk Harrell, Roque Feril and Jeff Rutledge.

Honorary Pallbearers include Frank Sanchez, Ronnie Slovacek and Garland Weber.

Thank you to Harbor Hospice Nurse, Ariel and Palliative Nurse, Brenda as well as his phone friends, John Wheeler, Pat Elder, Sandy Miks and Little James.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church Lindenau.

You may sign the guestbook or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome. com.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.