Oregon Beat
Oregon Republican Reporter, Thursday, December 26, 2013, Page A3
www.oglecountynews.com
St. Paul Lutheran church helped warzone families World War II approximately 11 million people were forced to leave their homes. Ethnic cleansing, genocide, combat operations, invasions of Soviet and German troops and fear for their lives caused civilians and military personnel to flee their home By Otto Dick countries. It is estimated that during Many ended up in Nazi
concentration camps, labor camps and prisoner of war camps that were eventually freed by the Allied Armies. Eleven million people is approximately four times the population of Chicago today. Allied forces in the spring of 1945 provided Displaced Camps in Germany, Austria, Italy, and other European countries providing food, shelters, and medical attention. Between 1947 and 1953 several countries established immigration programs giving displaced persons new homes around the world. President Harry Truman signed the first act on June 25,1948 allowing entry of 200,000 displaced persons followed in 1950 by an additional 200,000. Locally the first 16 displaced persons were brought to Ogle County by the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oregon. During high school I worked at Fischer’s Book Above is one of several of Harry Nurmet’s paintings at Store for Frank Fischer and Andy Cirksena. St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Frank, George Etnyre, George Kinn and Rev. Paul R. Bollman accepted donations in helping the displaced persons. Frank provided an apartment for one of these families above Fischer’s Book Store. The April 6, 1950 Oregon Reporter newspaper announced the arrival of the Alfred Zoltners family and August Kalnins from Latvia. August lost his family during the Russian invasion in 1949. He was employed as a farm hand by Fred A. Walker who lived east of Grand Detour. Alfred and his family were provided a three room apartment in the Etnyre building which was furnished by members and friends of St. Paul Church. Alfred was employed by John Freimuth, a local contractor, as a bricklayer and stone mason. Another family from Estonia moved and sponsored by the Oregon Lutheran Church were Harry and Linda Nurmet and their 10-year-old son, Martin. The Nurmets decided to move when the Russians took over their country. An apartment was built for the Nurmets over the garage of the Oregon Dairy. This building, a former hay mow, was furnished by landlord, Frank Fischer. The Nurmets were an amazing family, contributing their talents to this community. Marilyn said Linda worked at the hospital, and she was an excellent employee and had a pleasing personality. Of course, Harry continued the art legacy of Oregon Harry Nurmet, right, presents the late U.S. Senator Everett Dirksen (R-Illinois) with a with his many paintings and painting. in the center is the late Paul Behan, Oregon. Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon, has researched the people, places, and events important in Oregon’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society. The following is part of a series of the articles he has written.
Early deadlines are set
Ogle County Newspapers 121A S. Fourth St. Oregon 815-732-6166
teaching art classes. One account said the Nurmets spoke “English well, but if you prefer Estonian, Russian, German, or French, that’s okay.� While researching displaced persons, I find it difficult to grasp the pain and misery of the estimated over 10 million
KICK START WEIGHT LOSS
IN JUST 30 MINUTES
displaced persons caused by Adolph Hitler. Also, the Oregon Lutheran Church is to be commended for bringing some of these people to Oregon. These displaced persons were sponsored and accepted by this community.
Thank you for your patronage during 2013! Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
BERGY’S AUTOMOTIVE . $IVISION !VENUE s 0OLO ), s &AX
With something new from Curves and Jillian Michaels
Early deadlines will be in effect for the Jan. 2 edition of the Oregon Republican Reporter. The deadline for news items and photos is 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26. The office will be closed on New Year’s Day Wednesday, Jan. 1. Normal hours will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2.
PASSPORT & FOID PHOTOS
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Zoltners, their daughter Inez and son Ardris were displaced persons featured in the Oregon Republican Reporter in 1950. They were natives of Latvia.
JILLIAN MICHAELS COACHING FOR EVERYONE, EVERY WORKOUT RESULTS AT ANY FITNESS LEVEL BURN FAT INCREASE STRENGTH
A toast to our good friends and customers at the start of a brand-new year: May 2014 exceed all of your greatest expectations!
Try it for a week
CURVES.COM 'ALE 3TREET s /REGON s WWW CURVES COM
JOIN US FOR OUR
OPEN HOUSE DEC. 30TH 6PM -8PM
Limit one free 1 week fitness membership per person at participating locations. Not valid with any other offer, no cash value and new members only. First visit discount may be offered in exchange for 1 free week.
3HANNON s 0 3HANNON s 0OLO OLO ,AKE #ARROLL Member WWW FSBSHANNON POLO COM FDIC
Š 2014 Curves International, Inc.
I can deposit this check without going to the bank!
Mobile Banking & Mobile Deposit Now Available! 'JOEVT VT JO JO UIF UIF BQQ 'JOE BQQTUPSF TUPSF 4UBOEBSE EBUB SBUFT GSPN ZPVS XJSFMFTT QSPWJEFS $% )EBUB "" ) SBUFT ! GSPN "!$ % "" ) QSPWJEFS 4UBOEBSE ZPVS $ XJSFMFTT $% ) "" ) ! "!$ % $ "" )
www.fnbrochelle.com
Ashton: 815-453-2662 Oregon: 815-732-3282 Rochelle: 815-562-5571