Ed was born Jan. 21, 1930 to Lester A. Votaw and Polenena Reiss Votaw in West Point, Texas.

He is survived by daughters Sherry Huebel and husband Ronnie of Columbus, Margaret Spier of Lindale, Marilyn Kalinec and husband Walter of Houston, Phyll is Koopmann of Lindale, Charlotte Rau of Tomball, Virginia (Ginger) Friemel of LaGrange, and Lisa Moellenberndt and husband Frank of La Grange; daughter-in-law Phyllis Bjerke of Kountze; sons Edwin Michael Votaw and wife Bettye of Arp, and Charles Hoffmann and wife Barbara of Temple; son-in-law Tom Hughes of LaGrange; 23 Grandchi ldren; 37 Great-Grandchildren; 10 Great- Great- Grandchi ldren; one sister, Dorothy Weber of West Point.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gertrude Hoffmann Votaw; his parents; children Pamela Hughes, Roger Hoffman, and Richard Bjerke; grandchild Hope Votaw; sisters Elizabeth Kunchick and Hilda Tosco; brother Eugene Votaw; brothers-in-law Alfred Weber, Byron Emerson Johnston, and Joe Kunchick; sons-in-law: Benjamin Spier, Roy Rau, and Frankie Friemel.

Funeral services were on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 110 W. Walnut St, La Grange, TX 78945. Burial followed at Weimar Masonic Cemetery in Weimar, Texas.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Ave., Victoria, TX 77901 or Schulenburg Regency Activity Fund 111 College St, Schulenburg, TX 78956.

For a complete obituary and to offer online condolences go to www.hennekefuneralhome. com.