2024, the Hermann Sons Life Home Office issued a plea to members and lodges to join in a response to disastrous wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. The Texas Wildfire Relief Fund was organized and more than $9,800 was raised.
“We are so proud of our members and lodges for responding so generously to help in the recovery in West Texas,” Vice President of Member Benefits Cecily Kelly said.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude.”
Checks in the amount of $1,400 were donated to seven different volunteer fire departments. Those departments were Stinnett, Crutch Ranch, White Deer, Miami Roberts, Canadian, Briscoe and Wheeler.
The nearly three-week battle that started in February became the largest wildfire in Texas history burning more than 1 million acres.
“The VFD personnel said they all helped each other out collectively during the fires, but when winds caused direction changes, they had to return to their hometowns and contain the fire as much as they could on their own,” Cecily explained. “We hope these donations can help the departments recoup from their losses. They were all so grateful and appreciative and expressed that every little bit helps.”
The fire departments said funds will help go toward new command and brush vehicles and other needs.
More photos on Pg. 3
Member Benefits Representative Leonni Avalos is pictured at the Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department presenting the donation to volunteer Cole Wilson. The Wheeler VFD had 11 brush trucks and 35 volunteers battling the wildfires and provided aid to surrounding counties under the direction of Chief Robert Ford.
Nelson Britten of the White Deer Volunteer Fire Department accepts the donation from Member Benefits Representative Leonni Avalos. He reported they fought fires for five days from South Pampa to Lefors.
Miami Roberts Volunteer Fire Department received thank you notes and posters from area students for battling the wildfires. They are proudly displayed at the station. Chief Philip Clark said 450,000 acres burned in Roberts County that is 923 square miles.
Member Benefits Representative Leonni Avalos is pictured presenting a check to Crutch Ranch Volunteer Fire Department volunteers Matt Gillman and Ben Alden. Chief Mark Mitchell said the department assisted other departments but lost 3,000 acres in their own service area.
USPS 242200
Periodicals Postage Paid at San Antonio, Texas
Published Monthly by
HERMANN SONS LIFE
515 S. St. Mary’s St. San Antonio, Texas 78205
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to:
Hermann Sons Life, P.O. Box 1941 San Antonio, TX 78297-1941
What an exciting time to be a member of the HSL family! Your membership and contributions through service projects and donations make such a difference in the community
In the past few months, you have had a front row seat to view the amazing impact HSL has on countless Texans' lives As you have seen in newspaper articles and pictures in the last few months, our members and lodges found so many great ways to serve their community from gen-
Campers enjoy fun-filled summer!
erous donations to the Wildfire Relief Fund to serving their communities with Join Hands Day projects Members have enjoyed HSL benefits like Family Fun Day, the Open House/Member Picnic and our wonderful summer camp and dance programs HSL recognized our inspiring graduates and many of our seniors received scholarships
These are just a few of the ways you can get involved and make a difference in your community – and there are more exciting activities to come!
Now is the time to get involved
in your lodge Volunteering our time and skills creates stronger bonds with our neighbors, often forming friendships that will last a lifetime
With more than 100 lodges throughout Texas, there is a lodge for everyone to call home If you are unable to join in person, the Greater Texas Lodge offers a virtual option as well Involvement in your lodge offers you a voice to recommend community service projects that may be your passion and suggest family activities that are important to you .
Dave and I are honored to serve organizations that, in turn, have become near and dear to our hearts Anyone who knows us, knows that HOTK9 Rescue/ Heart of Texas SPCA is particularly special as it brought our precious Howie into our lives
Pat Spradling
Gary Falkenberg
David Lewis
The word from Comfort is that it has been a great 2024 camp season and by the looks of these “mini-campers'” smiles it was! Executive Camp Director Ian Brassett reports the very first 10-day session was a blast and a success! The final sessions wrapped up the last week of July. For more photos, see Pages 12 and 13.
Parking Update
If you received a parking citation while doing business at the HSL Home Office, please email a copy of the citation to Kathryn Mutchler at: kathrynm@hermannzonslife.org, mail to P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297 or drop off at the lobby for dismissal. LAZ (parking vendor) had repositioned their cameras and they were recording HSL spots in error. LAZ will promptly dismiss any citations issued in error. When visiting the Home Office, please be sure to park in the side lot on the north side of the Home Office building in the HSL designated spots. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
Lodge Reports
We are equally passionate about serving Boysville – a home for foster children from infants to 23 years of age who are unable to remain in their home due to abuse, abandonment, neglect or even a family crisis Upcoming events at Boysville sponsored by HSL include a holiday dessert drive and, in February 2025, HSL will host a birthday party When exact dates and items needed are known, I will be sure to share those details I believe we have a responsibility to contribute positively to the well-being of our communities Doing so enriches not only those in need, but also broadens one’s own perspective giving rise to deeper understanding and compassion Serving others, you’ll find yourself blessed as well Your support and participation are proof positive that fraternalism is alive and well at Hermann Sons Life!
Panhandle volunteer fire departments recovering from wildfires
Pictured is the Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department firehouse. Texas Wildfire Relief Fund donations were provided to seven different volunteer fire departments in the Texas Panhandle. Devastating wildfires in February destroyed more than a million acres.
The Briscoe Volunteer Fire Department aided Hemphill and Wheeler counties during the wildfires. Chief David Pearson said they had three brush trucks, lost two and the remaining truck needs repair. They hope to use the donations toward new trucks.
Employee Spotlight
Soto Hermann Sons Life Newspaper editor
SAN ANTONIO – Elaine Hernandez Soto has been employed with Hermann Sons Life since January 2002. After serving as assistant communications director for more than 20 years, she was named communications director in 2022.
Elaine is editor of the Hermann Sons Life Newspaper. Other responsibilities include website maintenance, social media management, advertising campaigns, design and production of sales materials.
She attended Del Mar College, San Antonio College and Southwest Texas State University. A lifelong resident of Seguin, Elaine previously worked for Seguin’s local newspaper, the Gazette-Enterprise for several years and held various positions from news reporter and features writer to assistant editor. She has three grown daugh-
Events
EVERY THURSDAY – It’s Game Night every Thursday night at Hochheim-Prairie Lodge-Turner Hall in Yoakum. Games start at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 361-293-557.
EVERY THURSDAY – Bingo is held every Thursday night at Brenham Lodge. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., cards go on sale at 6:15 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. and are usually over at 9:30 p.m. Open to public.
EVERY FRIDAY – Free live trivia at the San Antonio Home Association Rathskeller at 7 p.m. Get a team together or come solo. Prizes awarded.
ters and is an active grandma to eight grandchildren. Elaine loves attending all her grandchildren’s school functions and sporting events and spending time with her mom and sisters.
“I am proud to work for an organization that is focused on community service,” she said.
“Over the years I have experienced first-hand the generosity of Hermann Sons Life from assisting at food banks, volunteering at a children’s home, donating flood relief supplies to victims to preparing meals for hurricane refugees. It’s amazing to be able to be part of that kind of community service while on the job.”
AUG. 11 – Seguin Lodge will hold the annual Summerfest at the lodge hall, 2918 W. Kingsbury St. in Seguin. A barbecue brisket meal will be served - brings sides and desserts. Call President Tim Kolbe to RSVP at 830-660-3713.
SEPT. 7 – Seguin Lodge will hold a vendor market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the lodge hall. Vendor prices are $30 for inside and $25 for outside. The bar will be open for beverages and snacks, and food trucks will be on site. Call 830-660-3714 or 830-305-1142 for booth information.
Stinnett Volunteer Fire Department Chief Alan Wells said they managed three fires that started from different power line poles. The department covers about 25 miles from the Canadian River to the end of the county line, 35 miles north to south. Approximately 21 structures burned. He said they hope to use the Hermann Sons Life donation toward a new command vehicle.
Schools of Dance registration under way
SAN ANTONIO – Hermann Sons Life Schools of Dance are now registering students for the 18 schools located in South and Central Texas. New for the 202425 season – non-members are now invited to register. The dance program is available to any student who will be 3 to 17 years of age as of Sept. 1, 2024. Students may enroll in
any one of the schools of dance they choose.
More details, class locations and online registration are available at hermannsonslife. org (scroll to bottom of the home page).
All news articles and photographs should be mailed to: Editor, Hermann Sons Life, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297-1941 or emailed to: elaines@hermannsonslife.org
Reports and photos can also be submitted online at hermannsonslife.org under Member Benefits, Officer Forms. The report deadline is the 10th of each month. For example, for the January issue, the deadline is Dec. 10.
The Hermann Sons Life newspaper is an official publication of Hermann Sons Life. The management and editorial policy of the newspaper shall be in the hands of the President and CEO, and the President and CEO shall have the authority to appoint a member or members of Hermann Sons Life as editor and/or business manager thereof.
Elaine Hernandez Soto
Sales
Whole life insurance provides lifetime coverage
By TERESA SAATHOFF Vice President of Sales
SAN ANTONIO – This month
I want to highlight the value of purchasing whole life insurance. When I became a firsttime mom at the age of 25, I was told that getting life insurance was the responsible thing to do. I did not understand that there were different types of insurance I could purchase so I simply went with the recommendation of my agent.
It turns out that I purchased a whole life insurance policy, and I did not understand the incredible value of my policy until years later. Becoming a life insurance agent made me appreciate my original whole life policy and the fact that my premiums were locked in and based on a healthy 25-year-old. I certainly did not understand the difference between a whole life insurance policy and a term policy. Fast forward almost 15 years to
Teresa Saathoff Vice President of Sales
when I became a life insurance agent for Hermann Sons Life. In my agent training someone finally explained life insurance to me in a way that made sense. I was told to think of whole life insurance in the same way you think of buying a house. Whole life insurance builds cash value the same way a house builds equity, and you can eventually pay off your home and life insurance policy. Term insurance is more like renting an apartment
Shiner member wins gift card
The Sales Department is recognizing 18 more recommenders for the month of June. We appreciate the 131 members who have recommended 162 new members to Hermann Sons Life in 2024. The winner of a gift card for June is Glenn Leist of Shiner Lodge.
Congratulations to the following Recommenders:
Recommender Agent
Patricia Bushman, Houston (2) Gary Falkenberg
Mia Carta, Mission-Alamo Roxy Pruski
Lori Cook, San Marcos
Bill Drehr, Cuero Family
Sandra Duncan, Spring Branch
Janice Kuhen
Wayne Tiffin
Clifton Klabunde
Keslynn Flick, New Braunfels Roxy Pruski
Lee Roy Kerlick Jr., Karnes City (5) John Pacini
Dakota Lawless, New Braunfels
Glenn Leist, Shiner
Kristin Mason, La Vernia
Shirley Huebinger
Jillian McDonald
Marlin Tanneberger
Harper Meneley, New Braunfels Roxy Pruski
Ella Morris, Cuero Family
Ryleigh Moyer, Comfort
Laura Tiffin
Debbie Payne
Charlotte Nguyen, Helotes Deborah Allen
Piper Roberson, Boerne
Ana Vasquez
Cooper Tondre, Hondo Glenford Boehme
Sierra Valadez, Taylor (2) Javier Lara
because it only provides a roof over your head for the length of the lease and then you leave it behind similar to when your term life policy ends. More recently, someone explained insurance to me in a different way and it went like this: whole life is for when you pass, term is for when you might pass, and work insurance should be considered as bonus insurance.
Once I started at Hermann Sons Life, I purchased a 20year nonrenewable term policy which has provided me and my family incredible protection over the years, but at the blink of an eye my 20-year term is almost over. Luckily for me, term policies from Hermann Sons Life are convertible to whole life insurance without medical underwriting or proof of insurability. If I convert some or all of my term policy to whole life, my whole life premiums will be based on my current age. While I want to take advantage of converting my term policy to whole life insurance, I now understand that insurance premiums are
always based on your age and that my original whole life policy with premiums locked in at age 25-year-old rates is a fraction of today’s rates based on my current age for a term policy conversion.
That being said, all forms of life insurance equal protection for your loved ones but having whole life in place for your whole life is incredibly valuable.
There are several benefits that make whole life insurance valuable:
• Lifetime Coverage: Unlike term life insurance, whole life insurance provides coverage for the insured’s entire life.
• Cash Value Accumulation:
Whole life policies accumulate cash value over time, which can be borrowed against or withdrawn in the event of surrendering a policy.
• Fixed Premiums: Premiums for whole life insurance remain constant and locked in based on the applicant’s age at the time of purchase.
• Death Benefit: The death benefit is guaranteed and will
be paid out to the beneficiaries upon the policyholder’s passing.
• Tax Advantage: Beneficiaries receive the death benefit without any tax consequences.
• Estate Planning: Whole life insurance can be a useful tool in estate planning, helping to cover estate taxes and ensure that heirs receive a specified amount.
Whole life insurance is generally more expensive than term life insurance, but never having your premium increase and knowing that your policy’s death benefit will not go away at the end of a term is very reassuring. Whole life insurance provides a combination of lifetime coverage, cash value accumulation and fixed premiums. All forms of life insurance provide protection and peace of mind. When evaluating your life insurance coverage keep in mind that whole life insurance is for when you pass, term insurance is for when you might pass and life insurance through work is simply a bonus on top of your existing insurance.
Agents Directory (alphabetized
Adkins
Roxy Pruski • 210-218-6204
Alice
Paula Gebert • 361-701-7527
Sheri McBryde • 361-876-6893
Atascosa
Eulla Krueger • 210-863-0546
Austin
Allen Caldwell • 830-237-3217
Brad Klein, FIC • 512-497-0678
Gloria A. Cerca • 210-274-3137
Luiz Torres Mendez • 470-962-1174
Sean Warren • 512-593-0393
Shannon Caldwell • 830-837-4535
Shirley Kuhen Faske • 512-789-3975
Bernardo/Columbus
Terrel Maertz • 979-732-1727
Boerne
Ana Vasquez, FIC • 210-569-4660
Darrell R. Steubing • 830-249-7745 or 830-446-9829
Pamela Poulk • 210-753-2626
Brenham
Gary Falkenberg, FICF • 713-466-6069
Bulverde
Debbie Allen • 210-326-9753
Clif Klabunde, FIC • 210-219-6142
Javier Lara • 210-667-6889
John E. Moore Jr. • 210-621-7842
Castroville
Glenford Boehme, FIC • 210-219-9792
Jacqulynn Herrmann • 210-275-0429
Laurie Steele • 210-414-4755
Michael Franke • 830-444-4877 or 361-290-3577
Reagan Haby Rogiers • 210-695-5588
Stephen Bonahoom • 210-695-5588
Cibolo/Schertz
Judith Schulmeier, FIC • 210-667-1938
Tracy Campos • 210-388-2779
Clifton
Sterling Goolsby • 254-709-5764
Comfort
Ana Vasquez, FIC • 210-569-4660
Darrell R. Steubing • 830-249-7745 or 830-446-9829
Converse
Dan Boenig • 210-705-1815
Roxy Pruski • 210-218-6204
Corpus Christi
Paula Gebert • 361-701-7527
Sheri McBryde • 361-876-6893
Coupland
Brad Klein, FIC • 512-497-0678
Cuero
Laura Tiffin • 361-564-8141
Tracy Fuchs • 361-564-2250
Wayne Tiffin • 361-564-8144
Dallas
Gilbert Shelby • 214-289-1815
Mark Mundy • 214-202-8442
Devine
Cynthia Sultenfuss, FIC • 210-219-6409
Laurie Steele • 210-414-4755
Robin Sultenfuss • 210-854-4443
El Campo
Hector Gutierrez • 979-543-2709
Fayetteville
Linda Mattocks • 512-736-9988
Floresville
Gladys Rowley, FIC • 210-219-6964
Lynn Wiede • 210-289-1378
Fort Worth
Sandra Jones, FIC • 817-781-7155
Fredericksburg
Todd Bierschwale • 830-997-2130
Galveston
Teri Walston • 832-620-5405
Georgetown
Brad Klein, FIC • 512-497-0678
Sean Warren • 512-593-0393
Giddings
Linda Mattocks • 512-736-9988
Goliad
Tracy Fuchs • 361-550-2003
Gonzales
Bobbie Polasek • 830-672-6317
Helotes
Rayna Sue Irwin • 210-710-7038
Reagan Haby Rogiers • 210-695-5588
Hondo
Debbie Payne • 830-741-0642
Jacqulynn Herrmann • 210-275-0429
Laurie Steele • 210-414-4755
Stephen Bonahoom • 210-695-5588
Houston
Gary Falkenberg, FICF • 713-466-6069
Gerald Ziemnicki • 713-622-9001
Hector Gutierrez • 979-543-2709
Teri Walston • 832-620-5405
Terrel Maertz • 979-732-1727
Jourdanton
Carol Lopez • 210-683-7241
Gladys Rowley, FIC • 210-219-6964
Laurie Steele • 210-414-4755
Katy Terrel Maertz • 979-732-1727
Kirby
Angela Netherton • 210-831-1293
La Grange
Linda Mattocks • 512-736-9988
Kyle Hartmann • 979-639-1439
La Vernia
Marlin Tanneberger, FIC • 210-827-7229
Roxy Pruski • 210-218-6204
League City
Teri Walston • 832-620-5405
Leander
Sean Warren • 512-593-0393
Lockhart
Janice Kuhen • 512-393-1431
Marion
Lorene Bielke, FIC • 830-420-2380
830-305-6900 (cell)
Moulton
Judith Schulmeier, FIC • 210-667-1938
New Braunfels
Becki Lucas • 361-550-9358
Brenda Heulitt • 830-832-1674
Britney Cross • 281-450-6291
Carol Lopez • 210-683-7241
Clif Klabunde, FIC • 210-219-6142
Garrett Czarnek • 210-315-8152
Gloria A. Cerca • 210-274-3137
Krystal Wilson • 623-698-8348
Luiz Torres Mendez • 470-962-1174
Shirley Huebinger • 830-822-1942
Niederwald
Shirley Kuhen Faske • 512-789-3975
Orange Grove
Paula Gebert • 361-701-7527
Paige
Linda Mattocks • 512-736-9988
Port Lavaca
Nancy Annette Walraven • 361-237-1757
Rosenberg-Richmond
Gary Falkenberg, FICF • 713-466-6069
Round Top
Linda Mattocks • 512-736-9988
Rutersville
Kyle Hartmann • 979-639-1439
Linda Mattocks • 512-736-9988
San Antonio
Ana Vasquez, FIC • 210-569-4660
Angela Netherton • 210-831-1293
Carol Lopez • 210-683-7241
Chris Naughton • 210-365-2009
Clif Klabunde, FIC • 210-219-6142
Darrell R. Steubing • 830-249-7745 or 830-446-9829
David Guerrero Jr. • 210-800-6758
Debbie Allen • 210-326-9753
Gladys Rowley, FIC • 210-219-6964
Gloria A. Cerca • 210-274-3137
Henry Rodriguez • 210-548-2292
Isabel Diaz Servin • 210-394-4120
Javier Lara • 210-667-6889
John E. Moore Jr. • 210-621-7842
Luiz Torres Mendez • 470-962-1174
Rayna Sue Irwin • 210-710-7038
Roxy Pruski • 210-218-6204
Suzanne Saenz • 210-838-2711
Sylvia Zapata • 210-426-4481
San Marcos
Allen Caldwell • 830-237-3217
Janice Kuhen • 512-393-1431
Krystal Wilson • 623-698-8348
Shannon Caldwell • 830-837-4535
Shirley Kuhen Faske • 512-789-3975
Schulenburg
Kyle Hartmann • 979-639-1439
Seguin
Annette D. Roecker • 830-832-0724
Roxy Pruski • 210-218-6204
Shiner
Jillian Leigh McDonald • 361-594-2500
Spring Branch
Debbie Allen • 210-326-9753
Javier Lara • 210-667-6889
John E. Moore Jr. • 210-621-7842
Stockdale
Ronald Wiatrek • 210-771-4354
Victoria
Jason Hybner • 361-652-6924
Linda Dlugosch • 361-935-5715
Waxahachie
Mark Mundy • 214-202-8442
Wimberley
Allen Caldwell • 830-237-3217
Shannon Caldwell • 830-837-4535
Yorktown
Judy Wolf • 361-564-2452
LAWRENCE E. SLOTT
Ellinger Lodge
Died Jan. 23, 2010 • Age 81
ROBERT B. JOHNSON
Harmonia Lodge
Died Sept. 23, 2011 • Age 81
ERIC G. CARPENTER
Pershing Lodge
Died April 30, 2012 • Age 44
VIRGINIA A. BONAMINIO
Vineta Lodge
Died March 2, 2013 • Age 91
EDNA A. HOWARD
Vineta Lodge
Died Dec. 24, 2015 • Age 100
CHANEY L. BISHOP
Cuero Family Lodge
Died Jan. 30, 2016 • Age 38
ETHEL BRUENING
Greater Texas Lodge
Died July 4, 2016 • Age 86
MAE L. LENT
Kirby Lodge
Died July 18, 2016 • Age 89
GERALDINE ANONSEN
Houston Lodge
Died Aug. 7, 2016 • Age 92
GIVENS B. FORSYTHE
Macdona Lodge
Died Oct. 7, 2016 • Age 96
EUSTACE A. HERMES
Da Costa Lodge
Died Dec. 23, 2016 • Age 99
SHERRY D. LUHN
Cat Spring Lodge
Died Feb. 22, 2017 • Age 66
JOAN E. MAJORS
Louise Schuetze Lodge
Died Dec. 31, 2017 • Age 58
STEPHAN A. GOYNES JR.
Weesatche Lodge
Died Feb. 17, 2018 • Age 55
BETTY J. WIKOFF
Corpus Christi Lodge
Died Feb. 28, 2018 • Age 86
ALTON L. SCHELLHASE
Poth Lodge
Died July 13, 2018 • Age 69
JEAN L. APPLEBY
Louise Schuetze Lodge
Died Dec. 29, 2018 • Age 98
In Memoriam of Our Deceased Members
JULIE P. LITTLE
Pershing Lodge
Died Jan. 25, 2019 • Age 88
WILLIAM D. CADDELL
Bexar Lodge
Died May 3, 2019 • Age 60
OMAR HARVEY
Harmonia Lodge
Died June 6, 2019 • Age 98
PEGGY J. PATTON
Pershing Lodge
Died July 31, 2019 • Age 86
DIANNE K. POLLOCK
Schulenburg Lodge
Died Oct. 29, 2019 • Age 68
AMANDA S. REED
Mission-Alamo Lodge
Died Jan. 4, 2020 • Age 40
LINDA V. RAMBSEL
Pershing Lodge
Died March 17, 2020 • Age 75
ELSIE KEY
Brenham Lodge
Died May 2, 2020 • Age 82
HARVEY C. TEGTMEYER
Comfort Lodge
Died June 5, 2020 • Age 82
ELIDA A. SILVA
Anton Wenzel Lodge
Died June 8, 2020 • Age 85
NELDA M. BAUMANN
Poth Lodge
Died June 11, 2020 • Age 94
NORMAN E. MONSE
Hochheim-Prairie Lodge
Died July 4, 2020 • Age 95
KARLA L. LAVALLEY
Brunhilde Lodge
Died July 17, 2020 • Age 90
LINDA J. ARNOLD
Fort Worth Lodge
Died July 31, 2020 • Age 74
HARRY G. ZINKE
Hochheim-Prairie Lodge
Died Aug. 4, 2020 • Age 87
MICHIKO PETERS
Round Top Lodge
Died Aug. 6, 2020 • Age 93
STEVEN M. WOODS
Helotes Lodge
Died Aug. 8, 2020 • Age 67
BETTY J. GOYNES
Weesatche Lodge
Died Oct. 11, 2020 • Age 87
DAVID C. BALLARD
Old Glory Lodge
Died Nov. 18, 2020 • Age 98
IMOGENE WAGNER
Twin Sisters Lodge
Died Nov. 20, 2020 • Age 91
MAX J. WERKENTHIN JR.
Austin Lodge
Died Nov. 28, 2020 • Age 92
GLEN F. DAWSON
Austin Lodge
Died Dec. 13, 2020 • Age 62
LUCILLE A. GOLD
Moulton Lodge
Died Dec. 27, 2020 • Age 72
A. L. SLAUGHTER JR.
Dunlay Lodge
Died Jan. 3, 2021 • Age 86
EDWIN F. POLLOK
Mission-Alamo Lodge
Died Jan. 4, 2021 • Age 82
PAUL H. MILLER
Hondo Lodge
Died Jan. 6, 2021 • Age 69
HARRELL D. TURNER
Coupland Lodge
Died Jan. 18, 2021 • Age 85
JOHNNY L. LATKA
Harmonia Lodge
Died Jan. 30, 2021 • Age 72
FRANKLIN MENN
Burton Lodge
Died June 15, 2022 • Age 92
SANDRA L. MCDONALD
Spring Branch Lodge
Died Aug. 12, 2022 • Age 85
MELBA J. KRAFT
Spring Branch Lodge
Died Jan. 1, 2023 • Age 88
ORA L. PREUSS
Houston Lodge
Died Jan. 15, 2023 • Age 82
DELORES E. ZELLA
Gonzales Lodge
Died Feb. 6, 2023 • Age 80
EMIL J. CHANEK
Da Costa Lodge
Died June 16, 2023 • Age 87
NORA J. BENDER
Poth Lodge
Died July 11, 2023 • Age 82
HARLA M. GRUBBS
Greater Texas Lodge
Died Nov. 16, 2023 • Age 79
LOUISE E. NIXON
Karnes City Lodge
Died Jan. 6, 2024 • Age 87
TOMMIE A. KNESEK
Gonzales Lodge
Died Feb. 10, 2024 • Age 78
JEREMY W. BARNES
Hochheim-Prairie Lodge
Died Feb. 12, 2024 • Age 47
GLADYS V. STOLLE
Columbus Lodge
Died Feb. 24, 2024 • Age 94
CHARLES E. DYER
Harmonia Lodge
Died Feb. 25, 2024 • Age 97
ROBERT J. SMRKOVSKY
Schulenburg Lodge
Died Feb. 25, 2024 • Age 75
DENNIS W. NILES
Harmonia Lodge
Died March 8, 2024 • Age 81
KELLY L. SCURLOCK
Macdona Lodge
Died March 14, 2024 • Age 59
HATTIE A. LANGE
Coupland Lodge
Died March 24, 2024 • Age 96
HERBERT A. KELLNER
Harmonia Lodge
Died April 2, 2024 • Age 97
SANDRA L. FELSING
Louise Schuetze Lodge
Died April 9, 2024 • Age 72
WILLIAM F. DIERKS
Spring Branch Lodge
Died April 9, 2024 • Age 76
MAVIS S. GRIMM
Seguin Lodge
Died April 14, 2024 • Age 96
AMY L. GOHMERT
Da Costa Lodge
Died April 16, 2024 • Age 49
MARY E. PARGMANN
Hochheim-Prairie Lodge
Died April 18, 2024 • Age 84
CHARLES J. ZUBERBUELER
Hondo Lodge
Died April 24, 2024 • Age 82
BETTY J. JENKE
Paige Lodge
Died April 26, 2024 • Age 86
LA VERNE GARNER
Needville Lodge
Died April 28, 2024 • Age 88
BEATRICE M. SCHMIDT
Old Glory Lodge
Died May 1, 2024 • Age 99
LAWRENCE C. KOZIELSKI
Stockdale Lodge
Died May 10, 2024 • Age 83
LINDA C. KLEIBER
Rutersville Lodge
Died May 13, 2024 • Age 74
ALICE M. RYDER
Bryan Lodge
Died May 13, 2024 • Age 96
JOE W. ATHEY
Columbia Lodge
Died May 14, 2024 • Age 85
SHIRLEY B. COLLINS
Yorktown Lodge
Died May 16, 2024 • Age 89
GLENN A. TERRY
Bryan Lodge
Died May 18, 2024 • Age 67
EDWIN F. GAU JR.
Round Top Lodge
Died May 18, 2024 • Age 86
KEVIN J. PITTMAN
Macdona Lodge
Died May 21, 2024 • Age 55
SHIRLEY J. RUEDRICH
Vineta Lodge
Died May 21, 2024 • Age 96
ROY A. SMRKOVSKY
Schulenburg Lodge
Died May 22, 2024 • Age 79
LILLIE M. HOSEK
Da Costa Lodge
Died May 24, 2024 • Age 83
PAUL T. EBROM
Cuero Family Lodge
Died May 25, 2024 • Age 95
RUBY F. CARTER
Ellinger Lodge
Died May 26, 2024 • Age 86 See IN MEMORIAM, Pg. 7
Hermann Sons Life mourns loss of two former sales agents
Leslie Arthur Pfeil
Leslie Arthur Pfeil, age 92 passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Leslie was a former Hermann Sons Life agent for 18 years from July 1992 to May 2010.
He was born in San Antonio on July 5, 1931, to the late Arthur Herbert Pfeil and Lilly Gerdes Pfeil of Fashing. He married Annette Fink in 1951 before he was shipped out to Korea where he served as a radio telegrapher in the Air Force. He graduated from South Texas Teachers College in San Marcos in 1955. He taught school at Karnes City High School for one year. He
then moved to Port Lavaca to work at ALCOA in 1956.
Leslie is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Annette Pfeil; two daughters, Cheryl Denise Foster and Nancy Walraven (Harold); son, David Pfeil (Barbara); grandchildren, Jennifer Johnson (Jeff), Sarah Spencer (Robert), Cody Walraven (Risa), Amanda Moore (John), Kara McGuire (Jonathan) and Jacob Pfeil; and great-grandchildren, Jackson Nunley, Mason Taylor, Kolton Taylor, Clayton Spencer, Nicholas Spencer, Addison Walraven, Blake Walraven, Claire Moore, Garrett Johnson and
Jessa Johnson. Visitation was held June 6 at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home in Port Lavaca followed by a funeral service.
Emma Alcorta Moya
Emma Alcorta Moya died on Friday, June 14. Emma was a sales
agent for Hermann Sons Life for 23 years, from June 1996 to June 2019. She served as president of Anton Wenzel Lodge for 18 years.
She was born on Nov. 4, 1937.
Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Severo and Santiaga Alcorta, and seven siblings: Ruth Reid, Adelina Rosser, Victoria Josephine Aguilar, Severo Alcorta, Gloria Alcorta Ramirez, Richard Alcorta and Elida A. Silva.
Emma is survived by her husband of 40 years, Henry Moya, oldest son Robert A. Marotta Jr., only daughter Alice (Henry) Arredondo and youngest son Dante
In Memoriam of Our Deceased Members
PAUL A. BETHKE
IRENE BRANDENBURG
New Braunfels Lodge
Died May 26, 2024 • Age 94
JAMIE L. CAMPBELL
La Vernia Lodge
Died May 26, 2024 • Age 37
VERYL G. NEUMANN
Brenham Lodge
Died May 26, 2024 • Age 66
Weesatche Lodge Died May 27, 2024 • Age 82
GEORGE W. SMITH
Pershing Lodge Died June 3, 2024 • Age 92
JAMES B. BORING
Lockhart Lodge Died June 4, 2024 • Age 72
JOSEPHINE S. KLESEL
Schulenburg Lodge
Died June 7, 2024 • Age 91
CORINNE P. REANDO
Anton Wenzel Lodge Died June 7, 2024 • Age 99
MARIE C. DUDLEY
Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge Died June 8, 2024 • Age 79
MEMORIAL DONATION FORM
Camp
Camp Scholarship Fund
Grief Support Session at Camp
State, Zip:
Date: Amount: $
Clip and mail with your memorial contribution to: Hermann Sons Life Home Office, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297-1941.
VERNON B. MICHALEK
Pershing Lodge Died June 8, 2024 • Age 90
J. (Dolores) Marotta along with eight grandchildren, Sergio Marotta, Gizeh (Vasana) Marotta, Miranda (Mike) Moreno, Natalie (Clay) Prescott, Michaela (Daniel) Falcon, Jessica (Jose) Silva-Soto, JesseRey Huerta, and Geovanna Marotta, along with several greatgrandchildren.
A mass was held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on June 30. A memorial visitation was held at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home in San Antonio on July 1. Visitation and a final farewell were held July 2 followed by a mass.
The names of deceased members are listed on this page only after a death claim has been filed.
Donations
Donations to the Home Scholarship Fund in Memory of:
IRENE BRANDENBURG
LUCINDA HUTCHERSON
Donor: New Braunfels Lodge
Donations to the Camp Scholarship Fund in Memory of:
MYRA LEE ULLRICH
Donors: Robert and Shirley Lowrie
Donations to the Home Fund in Memory of:
CAROLYN POENITZSCH
GLADYS STOLLE
VIRGINIA LILIE
Donor: Columbus Lodge
GILBERT H. SPINN
Donor: Brenham Lodge
ALLEN E. GARLING
JUNE J. HART
BETTY A. KRUEGER
ETTA M. HIMLY
ALLENE J. PORTER
RUTH M. STECK
Donor: Bellville Lodge
Donations to the Camp Memorial Fund in Memory of:
FLOYD PSENCIK Donor: Rosenberg-Richmond Lodge
JAMES "BO" BORING Donor: Shirley & Been Faske ORA DELL REMMERT ORA RINIKER
GLADYS J. OAKLEY
BETTY A. GERSTENBERGER
HERRIDGE
BOBBY HAGEN
NANCY L. MAASS
GILBERT O. LANGE
Donor: Bellville Lodge
Emma Moya
Leslie Pfeil
80 Years
EMILY M. FEHLIS Niederwald Lodge
75 Years
EDMUND TSCHOEPE JR. Anton Wenzel Lodge
ROGER D. SIMMONS Coupland Lodge
JAMES C. GOEBEL Da Costa Lodge
JUDITH A. MOFFETT D'Hanis Lodge
ELAINE J. LEGRAND Dunlay Lodge
JUDY E. WESTON Gonzales Lodge
LINDA K. BAIAMONTE Houston Lodge
ORAN O. KOEPP Kypfer-Salge Lodge
GRACE E. DREYER
JACK A. HAMPE
GARY W. SCHLATHER New Braunfels Lodge
TED W. CHASTAIN JR.
BARBARA JO HANNA Niederwald Lodge
KENNETH R. JOHNS
GILBERT REINHARD JR. Poth Lodge
JANICE F. REAVES
BRYAN J. TERP Seguin Lodge
BERTHA E. HENSON
CHARLEEN LONG Spring Branch Lodge
CHARLES W. BUCK
JOYCE FINKE Washington Lodge
LINDA R. BORGSTEDTE Brenham Lodge
WILLIAM M. DIETZ Cibolo Lodge
LANA S. FOURNIER
SANDRA F. PEEK
Comfort Lodge
GLENDA B. GEBERT Coupland Lodge
GARLAND R. BUCHHORN
MELVIN H. JOHNSON Da Costa Lodge
THERESA L. VOLCIK
Dallas Lodge
DARLENE LIGUES Gay Hill Lodge
DONALD G. JANSKY
JAMES V. WAGNER Gruenau Lodge
WILFRED J. HABERMANN
LOUIS E. TAUBERT JR. Harmonia Lodge
MARY F. HARRIS
Houston Lodge
IRVING J. STREMPEL
JARRELL R. STREMPEL Karnes City Lodge
BRENDA S. B. COBB
KATHLEEN LAKE
ALICE E. SPEECE
Louise Schuetze Lodge
SHERI H. BARTH
DAVID W. ELBEL
ALICE F. GIESICK New Bruanfels Lodge
DENINE E. JOHNSTON Niederwald Lodge
ERWIN W. PIEPER Nordheim Lodge
BARBARA J. BEHM
Pioneers
EUGENE A. HALL
Rutersville Lodge
STEPHEN L. HAGEMAN
San Marcos Lodge
JOYCE D.
SYME-VAN FOSSEN Schwertner Lodge
CLYDE A. DAY
FREDERICK W. MAHULA
Siemering Lodge
ARLENE E. CHRISTMAS
Seguin Lodge
KAY Y. GEFFKEN
SANDRA MUNOZ
Spring Branch Lodge
RICHARD M. KOCH
DORIS E. TAYLOR
CONNIE E. WAXLER
Twin Sisters lodge
CAROL A. GOODRICH
Vineta Lodge
JUDY BOGAN
Washington Lodge
TERRY A. BRAUN Yorktown Lodge
60 Years
DUANE G. BLACK
JAMES D. BLACK
PATRICK O. HACKER
RODNEY J. KOENIG
JOHN W. LEWIS Anton Wenzel Lodge
BILLY G. DUPREE
MARGARET M. GLUECK Bernardo Lodge
DAVID NOWICKI
LAWRENCE T. NOWICKI Brenham Lodge
JOE JONES JR. Cat Spring Lodge
JOANN PRINZ Coupland Lodge
ANDREA J. O. LICON
Cuero Family Lodge
CONNIE J. CURRY
DEBORAH ISTRE
JO ANN G. ODOM
RHONDA K. TOBIN
ANDY WIRT
FREDDY WIRT
ROY WIRT
Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge
RUSSELL W. ECKHARDT
NEAL B. HOBSON
TRACY D. HOBSON
JAN SCHWETHELM
ELIZABETH C. SMITHSON
LILLIAN E. SMOTHERS Fredericksburg Lodge
GARY A. BEHRING
MARK PLOEGER
SALLY J. PLOEGER
GINA A. ROBINSON
ROBERT B. SCHESKE
Gonzales Lodge
CURTIS W. YARBROUGH Harmonia Lodge
JOHN E. SCHNEIDER
Helotes Lodge
TIMOTHY J. NOVAK Hochheim-Prairie Lodge
BETTY M. DAWKINS Houston Lodge
PATRICIA A. FULLER
GEORGE B. JAGGY JR. Jourdanton Lodge
STEPHEN W. SHODROCK Kirby Lodge
JOAN M. BARBORAK
JANET B. COVINGTON
VALERIE M. HILBIG
LESLIE D. KURTZ
DORIS M. LUKER
JEFFERY N. NELSON Paige Lodge
HOWARD L. HARRIS Pershing Lodge
SHERRI L. COUFAL
DELYNN E. PESCHKE Plum Lodge
HAROLD W. HEIMER Poth Lodge
JEFFERY D. GAU Round Top Lodge
TERI M. BALENTINE
TONI L. SMITH Rowena Lodge
MARCEIL PRESTRIDGE Rutersville Lodge
KAREN M. FIETSAM
STEVE R. STRICKLAND Schulenburg Lodge
EVELYN L. NEUMANN Seguin Lodge
KENNETH L. KNIEF
DAVID W. MINEAR Shiner Lodge
JOHN R. POZZI Siemering Lodge
DONNA K. FELPS
TANYA L. HAHNE Twin Sisters lodge
LAURA EAVES
SUSAN E. GARRETT
LEATRICE LUBIANSKI
DIANE TSCHOEPE Vineta Lodge
50 Years
CHARLES C. CUSACK
CHERIE L. FEUERBACHER
KENNETH R. HOUGHTLING
CARRIE K. WORKMAN Anton Wenzel Lodge
CHESTER W. BEYER JR.
DANIEL O. WILLIAMS
JAMES R. WILLIAMS
Anton Wenzel Lodge 70 Years
GLENN C. JOSTES Orange Grove Lodge
DANNY V. JANECKA
Plum Lodge
CYNTHIA L. SCHMIDT
JAMES R. SCHMIDT
Prinz Solms Lodge
ELENA S. HOLUB
Columbus Lodge
GREGORY W. BIERMANN
JEFFERY D. BOERNER
Comfort Lodge
ALFRED H. HESSE JR.
Corpus Christi Lodge
LINDA C. ROBINSON
Louise Schuetze Lodge
FRIEDA P. ATKINSON Mission-Alamo Lodge
MELINDA K. KELSAY New Braunfels Lodge
STACY L. OLLE
Austin Lodge
TADD C. MAASS Brenham Lodge
BRUCE A. HABY Castroville Lodge
Howie’s Happenings
Howie, Beau enjoy summer from indoors
By ROBIN CZARNEK President and CEO
NEW BRAUNFELS – Our boys have had a fun summer. They have continued their shenanigans and it’s never a dull moment with these two. Dave recently found Beau cuddled up on my pillow. Apparently, Beau drug my pillow from our bedroom upstairs to snuggle with on the couch downstairs.
Howie’s not loving this heat and has decided he prefers the inside where there’s AC. When we’ve tried taking the boys for a walk, Beau is beside himself with excitement and loses his mind jumping up and down, but Howie is not a fan. He has a much different opinion than Beau and will resist going if it’s an option. Beau caters to Howie’s prefer-
ence of staying indoors and will run up and down the stairs with him trying to entice him to play. Beau will even play fetch on the stairs, running up and down, taking several steps at a time. While their energy levels don’t match, they’re still inseparable and prefer to be together.
They both have a fondness for dinosaur bones and are thrilled when they’re treated to one. We’ve found we must take Beau’s away from him at night if we want to get any sleep. While Howie’s enthusiastic about the bones, he has his fill after an hour or two.
Howie and Beau wanted you to meet their friend, Jake. In Jake’s few short months of life, he’s had to endure a lot, but he is a survivor! Jake is so affectionate
and loves to give hugs and kisses and wants nothing more than a family to call his own. It’s hard to resist Jake’s sweet face and his happy tail wags.
If you’re interested in meeting Jake or any of the pups at HOTK9 or for more information, please email: hotk9rescue@yahoo.com to schedule a time to meet them. For more information and to view all of the amazing dogs available for adoption, please check out Heart of Texas SPCA / HOTK9 Rescue on Facebook or at www.heartoftexasspca.com. You’ll also be able to see their adoption events where you can meet many of their precious pups. Keep in mind that Heart of Texas SPCA/HOT K9 Rescue is a volunteer run organization, so email is best.
Pioneers
Howie, front, and Beau guard the Czarnek home. With the heat of summer, they prefer being indoors these days.
Jake wants a family to call his own. He’s affectionate and loves to give hugs and kisses. If you’re interested in meeting Jake or any of the pups at HOTK9 or for more information, email hotk9rescue@yahoo.com
50 years – cont’d. from Pg. 8
GAIL M. OWEN Cibolo Lodge
GERALD W. CHANDLER
ROBERT M. MCGAUGH Da Costa Lodge
MISTY M. HANNING Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge
SPENCER BREITSCHOPF
JOSEPH C. KRIDLER Gonzales Lodge
CHRISTOPHER M. FRIESENHAHN
LON B. JACKSON
CHARLES D. MARTIN JR.
JASON E. STEITLE Harmonia Lodge
VONELLE T. GAUNTT
MELISSA K. POLZIN Hochheim-Prairie Lodge
AMY E. ZERR Hondo Victory Lodge
A
Pikesville, MD.
WAYNE R. ALBERT Houston Lodge
JOSEPH P. B. ELLEY La Vernia Lodge
WENDI D. TREVINO Lockhart Lodge
VIRGIL C. JONES Mission-Alamo Lodge
JUSTIS W. MCNEILL
RODNEY L. STAATS New Braunfels Lodge
Richard Sarro has received his 70-year membership pin. A member since 1954, he is a member of Harmonia Lodge and resides in San Antonio.
PAULETTE B. PALMIERI
STEPHANIE A. WIATREK Pershing Lodge
BYRON K. GROSS Plum Lodge
SABRINA P. SCHMIDT Richland Lodge
CHARYDI GAMBILL Roscoe Lodge
CHARLES W. HEINTSCHEL
GLEN A. HEINTSCHEL Rutersville Lodge
Timothy Vordenbaumen has received his 60-year pin. A member since 1964, he is a member of Harmonia Lodge and resides in Tyler.
WENDY D. MOREAU San Marcos Lodge
SHAWN K. MILLER
WAYNE R. OTTO Shiner Lodge
PARISH R. MALONE Siemering Lodge
NICHOLE M. SMITH Vineta Lodge
TRACY Y. SHIVE Washington Lodge
Phyllis Ritter has received her 70-year membership pin. A member since 1954, she is a member of Spring Branch Lodge and resides in New Braunfels.
Vera Schmidt has received her 75-year membership pin.
member since 1949, she is a member of Spring Branch Lodge and resides in
Guswin Elbel has received his 70-year membership pin. A member since 1954, he is a member of Spring Branch Lodge and resides in New Braunfels.
Three past campers awarded scholarships
COMFORT – Three Hermann Sons Life past campers were each awarded the 2024 Hermann Sons Youth Camp-Shannon Leigh Gaffney Scholarship. The three recipients of the $1,000 scholarship are Emma Grace Pieniazek of Adkins, a member of Cibolo Lodge; Kaydence Lynn Scott of Devine, a member of Biry Lodge; and Chandra Leane Williams of San Antonio, a member of Helotes Lodge.
The scholarship fund was created in memory of Shannon Leigh Gaffney, a former camper and counselor who passed away in 1998 at the age of 21 after losing her battle with leukemia. An annual golf tournament is held each spring to benefit the scholarship fund.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be a member in good standing and a past camper, complete an application and write an essay titled, “How being a Hermann Sons Life camper shaped the person I am today.” Below are excerpts from their essays.
Emma Grace Pieniazek
Hermann Sons Life Camp has truly shaped who I am today. I first attended Hermann Sons Life Camp when I was just eight years old. My sister had gone when she was younger, and she influenced my decision to try it out. What I thought was going to be just one simple week of my life, turned out to be a place I could call a second home. At only eight years old, it can be pretty scary spending an entire week away from your parents. However, Hermann Sons Life Camp did an amazing job at making me feel so safe and warm. The counselors took such good care of us every single day, from bedtime stories to daily check ins, my camp counselors quickly became my second family.
After only one week at the camp, I had already learned so much. Hermann Sons Life taught me many important life skills such as how to open up and communicate. The counselors taught us team bonding games so that we could meet new people, and it helped me to make so
many new friends. I also learned how to schedule and manage time because of the detailed schedule of six activities, three meals with breaks and surprise games in between. I can honestly say that camp prepared me for what my middle school and high school schedules would be like, which was extremely beneficial. Camp also taught me to step out of my comfort zone by playing bonding games and being a part of the outdoor plays.
However, I think the most beneficial part of Hermann Sons Life camp was connecting with those around me without the use of technology. I learned to communicate on a deeper level and truly enjoy being outdoors without having the distractions that come with a phone.” I still have so many core memories from camp that I will cherish forever. “
Kaydence Lynn Scott Before camp, I always found it difficult to be myself and make friends, at camp, that all changed. I still remember the first time I went to camp, I was nervous, but was so excited at the same time. I had never had a sleepover or ever had many friends, because I was always in the backseat of a car or at someone’s work, around much older people.
At camp I was given a week with lots of girls my age where I was able to see what it was like to be my age. Not only that, I was given a clean slate to be who I wanted to be and not have to worry about messing up. I come from a broken home, and it made me feel torn and broken, but camp was a place I could feel whole and complete. Camp felt like a second home to me. It taught me responsibility and how not everyone is going to be your friend, but maybe your best friend, but most importantly, camp taught me how to be me. Camp to me is a place where I could be myself, a place where I didn’t have to pretend to be someone I wasn’t just to fit in, it was a place I got to do all my favorite activities, and I even got to make new friends while doing them, but camp wasn’t
just about the activities and the friends I made, but it was a place that made me feel comfortable, a place I could get away from the world.
Last summer, I got to experience being a camp counselor and give the campers the Hermann Sons Life Camp experience that I got to enjoy growing up. I believe that camp shapes everybody in many ways, so being able to be a counselor at this magnificent camp and give the campers the best camp experience could even help shape the world.
I enjoyed being a camper, and even a counselor, it helped me be me, and express my weirdness in fun ways. Hermann Sons Life Camp taught me many life skills and helped better my ability to make friends, lifelong ones. Camp has always had a special place in my heart and always will, because without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
Chandra Leane Williams Hermann Sons Life Camp has always had the utmost positive impact on my life during the 8 years of attending, not only as a camper, but now a counselor. Starting at age 9, I lived in Mosquito. Although it was very scary leaving my parents for a week, I was really excited. I was able to participate in activities I enjoyed, and easily made friends. After my week of camp, I couldn’t wait to go back. And so I did, moving from Mosquito to Catfish, then Mockingbird, Horned Toad, and lastly Hawk. When I received my 5-year camper bead, I cried
thinking my time at camp could shorten, when in reality, I would get to come back to make an impact on campers as a CIT and counselor, just as they did for me. I learned how to stay kind to others, no matter my opinions. I grew to be more responsible, cleaning up after myself and being of assistance to others. Counselors also make a huge impact on your experience, which thankfully enough, I got blessed with wonderful, silly, encouraging, and positive ones. One
other group I feel is important are the CITs. That program is a really huge deal to camp, and I am glad it is in full force. I will never forget my experience as a camper, and to this day I continue to use and inspire others with the things I learned at HSLC; singing camp songs and mealtime prayers, while also talking about my time spent there. I hope to teach and encourage campers as a counselor and continue to grow alongside them for years to come.
Congratulations Graduate!
CHANDRA LEANE WILLIAMS, a member of Helotes Lodge, is a graduate of Earl Warren High School. She will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio in the fall to study kinesiology and bowl for the university’s team. In high school, Chandra was on the varsity bowling team all four years, the swim team for two years, in theatre arts for two years, choir for two years and dance for one year. She performed in two school musicals, including a lead role. She is currently treasurer of the National Honor Society. An honor roll student all four years, she finished sixth in state her senior year at the state bowling championships. Chandra is the daughter of Russell and Aunci Williams.
Emma Grace Pieniazek Kaydence Lynn Scott Chandra Leane Williams
Shining Stars
EVIE WILHELM is a member of Corpus Christi Lodge. She is in fourth grade.
Her favorite foods are ramen and sushi.
Evie’s favorite TV show is “Gravity Falls.” Evie enjoys designing outfits, soccer and long jumping. She has two guinea pigs, Mooey and Guapo and a pet cat, Ruby.
At the beach crossword Word Scramble
Rearrange the letter to spell something pertaining to ice cream.
I
Registration Form
Across
1. Kids love to dig in this.
Become a Shining Star! Send us a photo of your Hermann Sons Life junior member, fill out this form and mail to: Member Benefits, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297. More information and this fillable form are also available online at hermannsonslife.org Shining Stars are featured in our newspaper and on our website.
Name:
It is OK with my parents that I am featured as a “Shining Star” in the Hermann Sons Life newspaper, website and any other advertising publications. Parent’s Signature:
2. You can collect these on the beach.
6. An American summer holiday.
8. You turn this on to cool off.
10. We put this on our skin to protect us from the sun.
13. A trip away from home.
Down
1. What you wear to go swimming.
3. You swim in this at the beach.
4. A frozen treat on a stick.
5. The weather in summer.
7. Someone whose job is to make sure swimmers are safe.
9. The last month of summer.
10. A bird you see often at the beach.
11. When you ride a wave with a board.
12. Commonly worn in summer.
Back-to-school word search
Campers enjoy fun in the sun!
Bullseye
Soccer
Friends
Junior members enjoy camp!
Basketball
Volleyball
Fishing
five graduates at the June meeting and picnic.
Marion Lodge recognizes high school graduates
MARION – Marion Lodge will meet Wednesday, Sept. 18, in P.J. Hall at St. John Lutheran Church in Marion. The date was changed from Thursday to Wednesday due to conflicts. Members are encouraged to attend and help make plans for the Christmas party.
The quarterly meeting and picnic were held June 20 at P.J. Hall.
The picnic began with a meal of hamburgers and hotdogs. Outdoor games were planned, but due to heavy rain everyone stayed indoors and enjoyed visiting.
The lodge recognized high school graduates who received a monetary gift from the lodge for college expenses. The seniors in attendance included Samuel Cress, a graduate of Geneva School of Boerne. He will attend Texas A&M at College Station and major in architecture. His mother was a past Hermann Sons Life camp counselor.
Avery Hirsch graduated from
Steele High School and will attend Texas A&M at San Antonio and major in cybersecurity and minor in criminal justice. She was a Hermann Sons Life dancer for several years.
Aliyah Montanio graduated from Davenport High School and will attend Texas Tech University to pursue a nursing degree. She attended camp for a few years.
Paige will meet Aug. 11
PAIGE – Paige Lodge will meet at the Sante Fe Steak House in Giddings on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 11:30 a.m. For any questions about the next meeting, call Milton Ihlo at 512-444-2287.
Juniors who attended camp are reminded the lodge will reimburse $100 of their camp fee if they attend a lodge meeting.
At the July meeting, members voted to pay $100 a month for yard work and $50 a month to have the hall cleaned.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious barbecue meal with all the trimmings. Thanks to Chelle Dube for picking up the barbecue.
– Reporter
Dylan Montanio graduated from Davenport High School and is considering Texas State University in San Marcos.
Ellie Plummer also graduated from Davenport High School and will attend Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi to pursue a degree in kinesiology.
Ellie attended camp and her family is a 100% Hermann Sons Life Family.
Marion Lodge held the quarterly meeting and picnic in June at St. John Lutheran Church in Marion. Members enjoyed a meal, bingo and ice cream.
Michael Purcell was unable to attend the meeting. He graduated from Marion High School and will study business management at McMurry University in Abilene. He will participate in track at the collegiate level.
Members extended their congratulations and best wishes for the next chapter in their lives.
The high school seniors volunteered to serve the ice cream as a token of their apprecia-
tion. After ice cream, members enjoyed bingo games. The five bingo winners were Bobbie Ray, Ellie Plummer, Mike Seiber, Thelma Zwicke and Debra Rebec. They won gift certificates from El Vaquero Taco Truck, Penshorn’s Meat Market, GG’s Cafe, Northern Lattes and Helping Hand Hardware.
Attendance prizes of cash and cookies were awarded.
– Marla Cockerham
Fort Worth Lodge to meet Sept. 8
FORT WORTH – Fort Worth Lodge will meet Sept. 8 at Rio Bravo Restaurant, 1940 S.W. Wilshire Blvd. in Burleson, at 3 p.m.
Members are invited to attend and help make plans for the Make a Difference Day project. Great food and fellowship will follow. All campers from the lodge are invited to come and
share their camp stories.
Members are asked to share that Hermann Sons Life new annuities are paying 5% with a guaranteed minimum of 2.75%.
Contact Agent Sandra Jones at 817-781-7155 for more information.
Happy 27th anniversary to Bill and Karen Lane who will celebrate on Aug. 9.
Birthday wishes go out to Mickenzee Brown, Donnie Burns, Ronnie Burns, Ronnie Burns-Lane, Krystal Emshoff, Cole Gibson, Henleigh Hazelwood, Liam Johnston, Ronnie Jones, Devon Kassler, Leela Minter, Susan Pogue and John Stephenson. Hope 2024 is a terrific year for each of you.
– Reporter
Marion Lodge President Morris Vader, right, presents a monetary gift to high school graduate Dylan Montanio. The lodge presented gifts to
Avery Hirsch
Aliyah Montanio
Elli Plummer
Dylan Montanio
Siemering Lodge mourns loss of longtime member
SAN ANTONIO – Siemering Lodge mourns the loss of member Sharon Hertzberg Fite.
A graduate of Edison High School, Sharon furthered her education at St. Philip’s College and San Antonio College. Her professional journey was diverse serving in elementary schools, working at Hermann Sons Life and ultimately as a dispatcher for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department.
Sharon’s positivity was a beacon of hope and love, particu-
larly as she raised her beloved children, Sherri Lynn, Patrick and Augusta.
Sharon embraced the frog as her symbol, often sharing with others that F.R.O.G. stood for “Fully Rely on God”.
This philosophy guided her through life’s trials and triumphs.
We find solace in believing that Sharon is now in the loving embrace of God, reunited with her daughter Augusta, her mother Sally and other cher-
Corpus Christi to meet Sept. 3 at Butter Churn
Corpus Christi Lodge door-prize winners at the July meeting held at Nolan’s Restaurant were, from left, Debra Mazur, Ray Garcia and Troylyn Gonzalez who was also the 50/50 winner. The next business meeting will be held Sept. 3 at the Butter Churn in Aransas Pass at 6:30 p.m.
Dallas will meet in September
DALLAS – Dallas Lodge will meet Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. at the historic hall.
Members are encouraged to attend and enjoy food, drinks and fellowship.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, the Dallas Lodge had 298 members in good standing. Of the 298 members, 130 live in the metro area and 86 outside the metro area. We have 76 members who
live out of state. For those out of the metro area, your membership is important even if you are unable to attend meetings or events.
If you are ever in the area, you are always welcome at the hall, the oldest lodge in North Central Texas.
The lodge will celebrate 134 years on Nov. 3.
– Andy Schellenberg
Cat Spring plans pizza dinner
CAT SPRING – Cat Spring Lodge will meet Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The lodge will provide pizza for the meal.
Members voted to donate to the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund at the June meeting.
Everyone enjoyed a fried chicken dinner. Door prizes win-
ished family and friends. Sharon contributed greatly to good causes like providing hand-crocheted stuffed animals to first responders for children in crisis and supporting initiatives such as “Can Tabs for Zach,” that benefited a junior lodge member’s treatment stay at the Ronald McDonald House.
For 65 years, Sharon was a devoted member of Hermann Sons Life, serving as an officer for more than 40 years.
As we mourn the loss of our dear Sharon, we also celebrate the beautiful life she lived. Her legacy of love, loyalty, and friendship will continue to inspire us.
Sharon was a huge reason I loved coming to Siemering Lodge meetings. She had a way of making you feel special.
I still have a handmade yarn pocket cross she gave me years ago which I still treasure to this day.
– Christian Lee
Anton Wenzel mourns loss of past president
Anton Wentzel Lodge mourns the loss of past president and agent, Emma Alcorta Moya. She held the position of lodge president for 18 years and was a longtime agent of Herman Sons Life. She will forever be remembered for her exceptional work as lodge president and will be greatly missed by all. The lodge sends its condolences and prayers to her family and loved ones. Obituary on Pg. 7. The lodge will meet Aug. 6 with hot dogs on the menu. Members are asked to bring side dishes.
Houston will meet at Golden Corral
HOUSTON – Houston Lodge will meet on Aug. 12 at Golden Corral, 20170 N. Freeway in Houston. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. followed by the meal.
The annual picnic with games was held June 10 at Hickory Hollow with 25 members in attendance and nine visitors, Jeffery Helberg, Meredith McMahon, Duane Weikel, David Harrison, Baileigh, Skyler, Madyson, Mer-
edith and Scott Patterson. Games of bingo, passing cards and number of candy-guessing games were played. Skyler Patterson won a small jar of M&Ms and Kathy Gallegos won a large jar of M&Ms.
Duane and Peggy Haas celebrated their 49th anniversary on June 6 and Larry and Diane Weikel celebrated their 55th anniversary on June 7.
Happy Birthday wishes were sung to June celebrants Samantha Thomason, Larry Weikel and Duane Haas.
Father’s Day gifts of $5 were presented to eight dads in attendance.
For lodge information, contact Secretary Catherine Manchack at 832-443-0469 or cnmanchack@gmail.com – Catherine Manchack
Da Costa will hold family social Aug. 24
DA COSTA – Da Costa Lodge will hold the annual summer family social on Aug. 24. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the meal is at 6 p.m. with presentations to follow.
ners were Charles Abel and Nathan Zanek.
Members were informed and saddened by the loss of lifetime member, Melinda Dittert Brod. Sympathy is extended to the family.
A silent auction will be held to benefit the High School Senior Scholarship Fund. Donations are needed. Membership pins will be presented. Members who have received or will be receiving membership pins in 2024, please attend so you can be recognized. The dance will feature the Blue Denim Band and is free to members. The fee for guests/
non-members is $20 per person, meal and dance included. RSVPs are required for the meal. Contact dacostahall77905@gmail. com, or call Pam Elkins at 361578-5556 and leave a message or call or text Lodge President Sayra Elkins at 361-676-6947. Upcoming public events: On Aug. 3 a benefit meal, auction and dance will be held for Richard Bludau, pork steak or tenderloin meal from 4 to 6 p.m., live auction at 6 p.m., silent auction ends at 7 p.m., and a dance with the Rick Evans Band at 8 p.m. Cost of the dance and
meal pre-sale or dance only is $15. Upcoming dance dates: Sept. 14 - public dance with the Dickie Kaiser Band; Oct. 12Tom Reed and the Texas Express Band; and on Nov. 16 - the Isaac Jacob Band.
Members are invited to the bi-monthly meetings held the second Tuesday of every other month at 6 p.m. at the lodge. Upcoming meeting dates are Sept. 10 and Nov. 12. The lodge needs more member involvement to keep the organization successful, going and growing. – Sayra Elkins
Sharon Hertzberg Fite
Deanville Lodge holds annual July 4th celebration
DEANVILLE – Deanville Lodge will hold a drive-through dinner to benefit Hospice Brazos Valley on Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The lodge was scheduled to meet July 28 at 2 p.m.
The annual Fourth of July celebration was held July 4. The event began with a delicious barbecue meal. The afternoon activities opened with the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence for departed lodge member and Deanville Bank President Tim Tietjen. Condolences to his family and his bank family. He will be greatly missed.
Lodge members and officers thank everyone who contributed to the Fourth of July Celebration. Special thanks to those who prepared the meal and everyone who gave their time and donations to make the 110-plus year Deanville Lodge Fourth of July tradition a success.
The lodge held a Flag Day ceremony on June 14 followed by refreshments.
– Reporter
The activities continued with a live auction and Happy Birthday was sung to Mildred Miman. Following the auction, Marley Kocurek sang the National Anthem followed by bingo, the closing of the silent auction and the raffle drawing. A free dance concluded the day.
Attendance-prize winners at the June Seguin Lodge meeting were Shane Salge, Cheryl and Tim Kolbe, Brenda Schrank, Howard Beutnagel, who won multiple prizes of split-the-pot and the guessing game and Tammy Beutnagel.
Seguin Summerfest Aug. 11
SEGUIN – Seguin Lodge will hold the annual Summerfest on Sunday, Aug. 11, at the lodge hall, 2918 W. Kingsbury St. Doors open at noon for happy hour and a brisket and sausage lunch will be served at 1 p.m. Members are asked to bring sides and desserts.
The event will include bingo, a split-the-pot drawing, fellowship and a progressive Seguin-member only drawing for $85. Contact President Tim Kolbe to RSVP and for more details at 830660-3713.
The lodge will host a vendor
market on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendor prices are $30 for inside and $25 for outside. Call 830-660-3714 or 830-3051142 for booth information.
The bar will be open for beverages and snacks, and food trucks will be on site.
At the June meeting, members voted to convert the lodge hall’s fluorescent lights to LEDs in the next few months. Members also voted to donate $150 to the Hermann Sons Life Texas Wildfire Relief Fund.
– Reporter
Helotes Lodge will meet Sept. 10
HELOTES – Helotes Lodge will meet Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Braun Hall. A meal will be provided. If interested in attending an educational workshop on Medicare with a sales representative on hand to ad-
Fourth Celebration barbecue, festivities and dance on July 4.
Deanville Lodge held a Flag Day ceremony on June 14. Members enjoyed refreshments following the ceremony.
The historic Braun Hall is available to rent for special occasions, call 210-688-9241. – Reporter
In observance of Flag
a
Marley Kocurek sang the National Anthem during the Deanville Lodge Fourth of July celebration.
Deanville Lodge recognized birthday celebrant Mildred Miman during the Fourth of July celebration.
Deanville Lodge mourns the passing of member and Deanville Bank President Tim Tietjen.
Deanville Lodge held the annual July
Day, Schulenburg Lodge donated
flag to the Colorado County EMS. Presenting the flag were, from left, President Ed Moeller and Corresponding Secretary Junette Rodecap. Accepting the flag were medics, John Banialis, Seth Helmcamp, Marilyn Hinz and Assistant Chief Marti Kalmbach. The department serves Columbus, Eagle Lake and Weimar.
Schulenburg Lodge donates flag
Columbia Lodge will host SonStock on Aug. 17
DALLAS – Columbia Lodge will host the SonStock lodge fundraiser on Saturday Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to midnight. There will be all-day music and vendors. Hope to see you at this fun event.
Members enjoyed fun in the sun at the lodge picnic held in June and celebrated Ranger Randell’s 30th anniversary of the Electric Campfire Acoustic Jam (held every Thursday night at the hall). Congratulations to Jerry and Kat Warwick’s 19th anniversary of hosting Swingin’ at the Sons on Wednesday nights.
Updated calendar: lodge meetings are set for Aug. 4, Sept. 8, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 (followed by Thanksgiving potluck) and Dec. 8 (followed by the lodge Christmas party). All meetings start at 3 p.m. and are held at the Sons of Hermann Hall.
Upcoming lodge events in-
Electric Campfire Acoustic Jam 30-year celebration was held at the Sons of Hermann Hall. Sessions are held every Thursday night at the hall.
clude SonsStock Music and Arts Gathering on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to midnight and Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct .12. Upcoming community events include Make a Difference Day in October, TBD, and the Larry Tutson, Jr. Foundation Toy Give Away in December, TBD.
–
Cecilia Phillips
Pershing will meet Aug. 11
SAN ANTONIO – Pershing Lodge will not hold the Aug. 7 meeting, but will meet on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 1 p.m. for lunch at the Little Red Barn. To RSVP, call 210-416-7422.
A memorial service will be held at the Sept. 4 meeting to honor members who have died in the past year.
The lodge will provide fried chicken and members are asked to bring their favorite side or des-
Pershing Lodge members Pat and Ron Plouch celebrated their 37th anniversary in July.
sert.
At the July meeting, Lillian Franckowiak celebrated a birthday and received a prize. Ron and Pat Plouch celebrated their 37th anniversary in July.
Ron Plouch won the the $35 attendance prize, and Lillian won the split-the-pot drawing.
Keep members who are ill in prayer.
– Reporter
July birthday celebrant Lillian Franckowiak received a birthday prize at the Pershing Lodge July meeting.
Rutersville Lodge to meet Aug. 7
Rutersville Lodge contributed $500 toward the Bluff Schuetzen Fest that raised funds in support of Friends of Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill Historic Sites with an additional $500 Matching Fund contribution from the Home Office. Agent Kyle Hartmann, right, presented the check to Gavin Miculka, assistant site manager for Monument Hill State Park. The lodge will meet on Aug. 7 at 5830 St. Hwy. 159 in La Grange.
Poth Lodge presents senior scholarship
Poth Lodge recognized the June birthday of twins William and Gayton Lieke at the June meeting. Has Hermann Sons Life made a difference in your life? Members are invited to share their stories! Email elaines@hermannsonslife.org or call 800-234-4124, ext. 279
Poth Lodge awarded a scholarship to William Lieke, center, during the June meeting. He is pictured with his parents Eric and Shannon Lieke. Eric and Shannon celebrated their 27th anniversary in June.
POTH – Poth Lodge will meet Sunday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m.
At the June meeting, a scholarship was presented to William Lieke.
Members observed a moment of silence in memory of Paul Treger Jr.
The lodge recognized June anniversary celebrants, Eric and Shannon Lieke, 27 years. Twins William and Gayton Lieke celebrated their birthday in June.
Attendance-prize winners were Kathy Oehlke and Shannon Lieke.
Members enjoyed dessert during the bingo games.
– Reporter
Ranger Randell’s
Columbia Lodge members enjoy fun in the sun at the annual summer picnic held in June.
Logan Daffron creates perfect giant bubbles during the Columbia Lodge picnic held in June.
Harmonia Lodge holds anniversary celebration
SAN ANTONIO – Harmonia Lodge will meet in the Rathskeller on Aug. 8. The lodge will provide fried chicken and members are asked to bring a side or dessert to share.
Members celebrated the lodge’s 163rd anniversary on July 11. A membership pin presentation was held.
Pin recipients were James Allen Otto, 75 years, a member since Feb. 17, 1949; Robert G. Heimer, 70 years, a member since July 1, 1954; Jimmy Ray Hurt, 70 years, a member since Oct. 11, 1954; and Mike Gumpp, 70 years, a member since Sept. 16, 1954.
Birthday celebrant Angelina Kretzschmar was recognized as well as anniversary celebrants, Charles and Angelina Kretzschmar, 53 years, Jerome and Genevieve Kraus, 61 years, and Burt and Becky Ranzau, 34 years.
Mike Beam shared history of Harmonia Lodge. A copy will be included in the lodge’s virtual newsletter.
The lodge provided a catered meal of pork, bacon wrapped chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes and members provided desserts.
Those wishing to receive the Harmonia Lodge Virtual Newsletter with lodge updates and pictures should email HSHarmonia01@yahoo.com to join the list.
Bernardo social Aug. 21
CAT SPRING – Bernardo Lodge has rescheduled the summer social, previously postponed due to bad weather, for Aug. 21. The social begins at 6 p.m. followed by the meal at 7 p.m. in the Bernardo VFD meeting room. Hamburgers will be served, and members are asked to bring sides. Pin presentations with Board Director David Noak are planned and campers are invited to attend and share their camp experiences. Contact Robin Maertz for further information at 979732-1687.
– Robin Maertz
the anniversary
61 Years.
This newsletter is in addition to what is sent to the newspaper. A link to the Hermann Sons Life Newspaper will also be included in the email. – Reporter
Louise Schuetze Lodge will meet in September
David James, son of Louise Schuetze Lodge member Mary Therese Trujillo, was featured on Kens5 News recently promoting blood donations to help those in need. The lodge will meet again in September. Happy birthday to July birthday celebrants Carol Grill and Mary Naughton and August celebrant Christine Mullen.
Lodge news reports are due by the 10th of each month!
Harmonia Lodge pioneers received membership pins during
celebration held in July. Pictured are, from left, Board Director Stan Steiger, Edna Otto, 75-year pin recipient James Allen Otto with President Matthew Kraus.
Membership pins were presented at the Harmonia Lodge anniversary celebration in July. Pictured are, from left, Board Director Stan Steiger, 70-year pin recipients Mike Gumpp, Robert G. Heimer and Jimmy Ray Hurt with President Matthew Kraus.
Harmonia Lodge President Matthew Kraus, center, is pictured with anniversary celebrants Jerome and Genevieve Kraus,
Harmonia Lodge President Matthew Kraus, right, is pictured with anniversary celebrants Charles and Angelina Kretzschmar, 53 years.
Harmonia Lodge President Matthew Kraus, right, is pictured with anniversary celebrants Burt and Becky Ranzau, 34 years.
Mission-Alamo to hold picnic in Comfort Aug. 17
SAN ANTONIO – Mission-Alamo Lodge will hold the annual family picnic on Aug. 17 at Hermann Sons Life Hilltop Camp from 12-4 p.m. Lunch will be served at 12:30.
The pool will be open, and campers and dancers from Mission-Alamo Lodge will be honored.
Pin presentations and a catered meal will be held Sept. 15. RSVP by calling Joyce Knuepper at 210-508-5624 by Sept. 3.
The lodge will host visits with Santa on Nov. 17 from 2-4 p.m. in the Rathskeller. Refreshments will be served.
The lodge welcomes new members, Everett Anderson, Paul Vasquez, Gatlen Cash Summer, Emma Nell, Marie Galindo, Kage Anthony Vara, Kinley Mae Frothingham, Decker Rein Evans, Sterling Rone Evans, Dean Harrison Watkins, Jace Carter Randolph, David Jocob Murray, Mya Allison Hammer, Camden James Hammer, Matthew Edward Scruggs, Ethan Wayne Dunaway and Noah Daniel Dunaway.
Greater Texas to meet on Aug. 21
SAN ANTONIO – Greater Texas Lodge will meet on Zoom Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 6:30 p.m. Meeting links will be provided prior to the meeting. For more information, email johnp@hermannsonslife.org.
– Reporter
11
Crossword answers
The lodge mourns the loss of member Craig Allen Zander.
Carol Swan won split-the-pot at the May meeting. The names of Jackson Scott Faglie and Lindsey Ann Lopez were drawn for the attendance prize, but they were not present to win.
– Reporter
Dunlay Lodge members celebrated the anniversary of Morris and Katherine Baxter during the July meeting with a pork rib dinner.
Dunlay celebrates anniversary
DUNLAY – Dunlay Lodge members celebrated the 67th wedding anniversary of Morris and Katherine Baxter with a barbeque meal at the regular July meeting.
Word search answers
Morris and Katherine have been members of the lodge since July 1, 2008, along with all of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everyone enjoyed delicious pork ribs prepared by Clyde Muennink.
Members were saddened to learn of the passing of members Ronald Bohmfalk, Sr. on July 5 at the age of 69 and Dorothy Fowler on June 27 at the age of 80. Ronald had been a member of Hermann Sons Life since 1975
Morris and Katherine Baxter
and Dorothy Fowler had been a member since 1968. Memorials will be given to the Hermann Sons Life Grief Support Camp session.
– Reporter
Kirby Lodge will meet on Aug. 5
Kirby Lodge held the annual Flag Day ceremony on June 14. The lodge thanks Agent Judy Schulmeier for organizing the event. The lodge will meet Monday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. Chicken will be served, and members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts. The next meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.
Mission-Alamo Lodge recognized mothers at the May meeting. Pictured are, from left, Georgia Hall, Diane Cline, Dianne Larned, Denise Wright, Carol Swan and Kathy Wilson.
Fathers were recognized for Father’s Day at the Mission-Alamo Lodge May meeting. Pictured are, from left, Kirby Cline, Terry Swan, Jack Larned, J.R. Kneupper and John Hall.
To celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Day, Mission-Alamo Lodge members donned aprons and sport shirts to the May meeting.
