Wilfred Edward "Buddy" Kreitz, age 89, passed away at Tomball Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family, on Saturday, March 17, 2018.  He was born on May 12, 1928 in Dobbin, Texas.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary (Swonke) Kreitz; brothers, Leonard, Al and Joe Kreitz; sisters, Clara Schultz, Regina Rodgers, Dorothy Scholz and Josie Carpenter.

Buddy served 2 years stateside in the United States Army at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma training in an artillery unit during the Korean War.  After serving his country he joined his brothers working on a dairy farm. In 1958 he started his own dairy farm in Hockley, TX where he continued to farm and raise livestock until he retired from dairy farming in 1976.  In 1979 Buddy started working for Harris County Precinct 3 as a road maintenance operator. He retired from Harris County in 1989.

In his retirement years he discovered a love for oil painting and spent many days attending painting classes at the Hockley Community Center.  He was an avid gardener and always had plenty of vegetables to share with family and friends.  He loved spending time at the family lake house on Lake Livingston where he spent many hours fishing and boating.  One of his greatest joys was spending time with family especially his grandkids and great-grandkids.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Delores Helfrich Kreitz; daughter, Diane Wishkoski and husband Donald; son, Kevin Kreitz and wife Ginny; son, Brian Kreitz; grandson, Curtis Wishkoski and wife Cherie; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Wishkoski; grandson, Jonathan Kreitz; great-granddaughters, Summer Rudel and Rylee Wishkoski; great-grandson, Jacob Wishkoski; sister, Lucille Scholz and numerous nieces and nephews.

A time of visitation will be held from 5 to7 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 with a Rosary to begin at 7 pm at the Klein Funeral Home Magnolia.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Magnolia with burial to follow at the Klein Memorial Park Magnolia.

Immediately following the burial, family and friends are invited back to the hall at St. Matthias Catholic Church for a time of fellowship and refreshments.

Pallbearers

Curtis Wishkoski – Grandson

Jonathan Kreitz – Grandson

Ronald Scholz – Nephew (Godson)

Jimmy Carpenter – Nephew

Milton Helfrich Jr. – Nephew

Keith Schultz – Nephew

Jacob Wishkoski – Great-Grandson (Honorary Pallbearer)