August Friesenhahn Jr.

August Friesenhahn Jr., age 90, of Falls City, Texas passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025.

He was born on September 17, 1934 in San Antonio, Texas to August Friesenhahn Sr. and Louise Zweschper Friesenhahn of Selma, Texas. August was the oldest of 5 children. He will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, a fierce pride in his German heritage and lineage, his generosity toward friends and family and his strong work ethic and equally as strong, Catholic faith.

August was a descendant of the Jacob Friesenhahn family from Dalheim Germany. August was a life long parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Selma where he attended school as well. He was a lifetime member of St. Michael’s Society at OLPH and was one of the founders of the Selma Volunteer Fire Department.

In his youth at the family farm in Selma, he spent countless hours working in the fields, tending to the cattle and helping his family with various farm chores. In the 1950’s he and his father August Sr. opened and operated a successful gravel quarry on part of the family’s farm. Later, his work ethic and knowledge of heavy equipment spurred his interest in working as a heavy equipment operation first for Kilean and House and later HB Zachry. In 1963, he married Magdalen Jarzombek of Falls City, Texas and they had 3 children. First came Roman, then Debbie and lastly Ronnie. When the children were young he worked for Gaylord Container and retired after 20 years of service. After retirement from Gaylord he made the decision to start his own construction company with his 2 sons where they did subdivision site work. In the 1990’s he decided to go back to his roots and love of running heavy equipment and he went to work as an operator for Dean Word company helping to complete the 1-35 project in Selma.

When Maggie retired, they made the decision to sell their home in Selma and move to Maggie’s family homestead at Falls City and build their forever home. They became parishioners at Holy Trinity Catholic Church but would often be seen in a pew at OLPH in Selma for Saturday evening mass. Never wanting to be far from home he would drive to Marion weekly, sometimes to have a meal at GG’s Corner Cafe or pop in for a quick hello and pick up a dried sausage at Penshorn’s Meat Market or grab some items at Helping Hand Hardware. August knew everyone and everyone knew him.

Beyond work, he had a passion for hunting and he was happiest when he and his sons, Ronnie and Roman, were with him at the deer lease. He also loved to plant a big garden and share the fruits of his labor with others. His favorite daily past time was sitting on his porch, dog by his side, and watching his cattle roam the pasture in front of the house.

He is survived by his 3 children, Roman (Kristin) Friesenhahn, Debra Wehman and Ronald (Suzanne) Friesenhahn. He has 2 grandsons, one step grandson and two step granddaughters. He also has three great grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren. August was preceded in death by his father and mother, August Sr and Louise Friesenhahn, his brother, Harold Friesenhahn, his sister Lillian Friesenhahn Kott and his sister Rosemary Friesenhahn Tudyk. Also preceded in death was the love of his life and wife of 60 years, Maggie.

A visitation with the family will start at 5pm at Our Lady Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Selma on Tuesday, August 26th with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7pm. A funeral mass will be held at 11am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Falls City on Wednesday, August 27th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Michael’s Society at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Selma.

August’s legacy will be one of faith, family and hard work.