Elliott Joseph "Joe" Kahlden was born on May 23, 1930, to Emil and Meta Kahlden in Weimar, Texas. He passed away on June 15, 2026, in Columbus, Texas.

He attended St. Michael's School and Weimar High School, graduating in 1949, where he excelled in football, baseball and tennis. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served four years. His tour of duty during the Korean War was spent mostly in the Pacific countries of China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hawaii.

After leaving the Navy, he went back to Weimar to work.  On August 24, 1953, he and JaNell Vacek of Schulenburg were married in the St. Rose Catholic Church.  In 1956, the couple moved to Texas City where he was employed by Monsanto Company. At Monsanto, he worked as an operator, then in the lab, a machinist and finally he worked in the Tool Room.  He retired from Monsanto in 1988.

Joe was an avid golfer and taught his three sons to play the game. He also liked to garden and always maintained a neat yard.  He loved music and he and JaNell spent many hours on the dance floor and he was an excellent dancer. Joe also enjoyed firing up the barbecue pit and became a good barbecue chef. Another pastime was traveling and camping. His favorite vacations were an Alaskan cruise, a trip to Nova Scotia and Mackinac Island.

Joe was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Texas City and the Men's Club.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW Post No. 5875 in Weimar, Texas.  After his retirement, one of his favorite things to do was to sit on the front porch and have his children or grandchildren sit and visit with him.

Joe is survived by his sons, Glen and wife Sharyn of Cypress, Dale of Memphis Tennessee; daughter, Jan and husband Bobby Cash of Rosharon; grandsons, Joshua Cash and wife Tracy of Santa Fe, Ryan Cash of Rosharon, Eric Cash and wife Katie of League City, Zachary Cash of Rosharon, Joseph Kahlden and John Kahlden of Memphis Tennessee; granddaughters, Kristi West of Fort Worth and Alyssa Cash Alexander and husband Brody of Angleton, Texas; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Kinsley Cash, Sophia, Mason, Tallon and Taylor Cash, Jayce Cash and Jaxon and Mason West.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, JaNell; son Robert Kahlden; sisters, Gladys Guenther and her husband Johnny Guenther, Geraldine and her husband Nolan Ulbricht; brother, Franklin Kahlden; brothers-in-law, J.C. Mozisek and Royce Brauner; and sister-in-law, Lois Brauner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026, from St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Weimar. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. from the church. Interment will follow in Saint Michael Catholic cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Weimar VFW.   Pallbearers are grandsons, Joshua, Ryan, Eric and Zachary Cash, Joseph and John Kahlden.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Weimar, of the Weimar VFW.