December 2018

Vol. 122, No. 2

InsIde A Message from the Board of Directors ➤ Pgs. 2 & 5

Christmas is the season for giving

December 2018

We wish you a Merry Christmas filled with love, joy and peace.

➤ Pg. 4

Lodges participate in Make a Difference Day projects ➤ Pgs. 7-10

hermannsonslife.org Maintenance Director Terry Haecker, Member Benefit Representatives Tammi Sutherland, front, and Jacqueline Klein, Vice President of Member Benefits Cecily Kelly, and (behind the camera) Assistant Director of Communications Elaine Soto, traveled to the First United Methodist Church in Marble Falls in October to deliver cleaning supplies. Also pictured is Associate Pastor Clay Walden and on the right are flood victims, Jennifer Korstad and daughter Sarah.

Cleaning supplies donated to help flood victims SAN ANTONIO – The Home Office continues to accept donations for the Hill Country Flood Relief Fund established to provide relief to those impacted by the November flooding in the Highland Lakes area.

The donations from lodges and members will be added to a donation from the Home Office and sent to the Llano County Chamber of Commerce.

Lodges that have contributed so far include Castroville, Macdona, Wichita Falls, Austin, Nagel, Karnes City, Stockdale, Boerne and San Marcos. Individuals making donations include Matt Walker and Cecily Kelly.

The Home Office has already delivered

cleaning supplies to the Office of Emergency Management in Burnet County.

The First United Methodist Church in Marble Falls was serving as a relief center for the victims of the flooding.

Jennifer and Sarah Korstad, pictured above, were among those who stopped by to pick up supplies. The Korstads were forced from their home as the flood waters rose and expressed their gratitude for the supplies.

Donations may be mailed to Hermann Sons Life, c/o Jacqueline Klein, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78205, or submitted online by going to www.texashermannsons.org/donation-hill-country-flood-relief.

Page 2 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

HERMANN SONS LIFE 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 DIRECTORS Sandra Jones, Chair Mike Beam Suzanne Hildebrand David Noak Stan Steiger David Wolf OFFICERS Interim President and CEO and Vice President of Operations and COO Samantha Schulmeier Vice President of Finance and CFO Harry Werland Vice President of Marketing Timothy P. Kolbe Vice President of Member Benefits Cecily Kelly Vice President of Information Technology Matt Walker LAWS COMMITTEE

Norma Bruns Tommy Daum Agnes Dreibrodt Lillian Franckowiak Debbie Gold Charles Knibbe David Lewis Jeanette Preuss

Robert Prewitt Tim Salge Steven Schellenberg Marlin Tanneberger Ronald Wiatrek Janet Zabransky Gerald Ziemnicki

MEMBER BENEFITS COMMITTEE

Frank Brandon Shirley Faske Tammy Kelley

Bradley Klein Ed Kurtz Laura Thigpen

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Elizabeth Byron Tammy Haecker Marsha Kocurek Sayra Martinka

Sherry Rakowitz Lisa Rozacky Irene Schwertner

BUSINESS OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Brad Dietrich Robert Herridge Tammy Jones Edward J. Muehlbrad

Doug Saathoff Laura Tiffin Lori Todd

A Message from Your Board of Directors The Board of Directors hopes that all our members enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends . We have so much for which we are thankful, including our members whose faithful service to our organization helps us strengthen our communities each and every day of the year .

Allow us to be among the first to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year . We look forward to visiting with many of you at lodge Christmas parties so that we may personally extend our sincere appreciation and holiday well-wishes .

We hope you find time during this busy season to reflect on all of the things you are grateful for . May we look forward to the

new year with renewed hope for peace and prosperity .

The Board would also like to update our members on the business that took place at the quarterly meeting held Monday and Tuesday, Aug . 6-7 .

Monday was filled with business decisions and reports from the vice presidents .

The first item on the agenda was the discretionary subsidy paid to lodges . A motion was made to pay the same amount as in recent years - $2 per member in good standing - with the caveat that the subsidy would only be paid to lodges that are in compliance with the reports required by the Home Office .

Vice President of Finance and CFO Harry Werland gave an investment report summary with

a focus on recent bond purchase quality, yield and maturity, along with portfolio performance and a discussion about mortgage loan opportunities to explore .

Adjustments to the Investment Plan were reviewed, as were state exposure, assets vs . liabilities cash flow, statutory statements of operations by program activities for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, and the business plan for the sale of 9-year annuities with a bonus .

He also foreshadowed the topics of a detailed actuarial presentation the Board participated in the following day .

The Board voted to give Interim President and CEO Samantha Schulmeier the authority to fill the vacancy of Vice President

of Member Benefits . Interim President Schulmeier said there was an obvious person qualified to fill the position and that was Member Benefits Director Cecily Kelly . She stated Director Kelly knew the duties required as she had been working closely with Interim President Schulmeier as an acting interim for the Vice President of Member Benefits’ position for the last several months . She indicated Director Kelly had been working very hard and through her temporary role had already begun identifying what improvements needed to be addressed in the department, at the Camp, at the Home and in the Dance Program .

See A MESSAGE, Pg. 5

Inside Lodge Reports Bernardo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Bellville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Boerne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Brenham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Cibolo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Columbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Converse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Corpus Christi . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Coupland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 DaCosta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Deanville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Fort Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Fredericksburg . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Giddings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Helotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Hochheim-Prairie . . . . . . . . . . .21 Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Jourdanton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Kerrville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Kirby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Laubach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 La Vernia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Lockhart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Louise Schuetze . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Maxwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 McGregor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Mission-Alamo . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Moulton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 New Braunfels . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Niederwald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Old Glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Paige . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Paul Vogt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Pershing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Plum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Rosenberg-Richmond . . . . . .16 Round Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Rowena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Rutersville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 San Marcos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Schulenburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Siemering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Square Dancers . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Stern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Stockdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Twin Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Vineta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Womack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Monthly Features 3 6 6 10-11 13

Calendar of Events Retirement Home News Donations Pioneer Members In Memoriam

1 2&5 3 7-10 12

Flood relief efforts continue A Message from the Board Spring Branch members travel Make a Difference Day photos Harmonia presents proceeds

4 4 4 5 5 27

Tis the Season of Giving Annuity Bonus Program SAFE Plan offered Recommenders listed Dance referral contest winners Listing of agents

1-2 6 6 28

Camp welcomes new director Seguin dancers collect food Answers to puzzles on Pg . 28 Shining Stars

New This Month

Marketing News

Youth in Action

Read us online at hermannsonslife.org

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 3

Spring Branch members tour Upstate New York Forty members and friends of Spring Branch Lodge toured Upstate New York and the Hudson River Valley for a week this fall. Chuck and Sharon Knibbe served as hosts for the tour.

The group flew into Buffalo, New York, where the first stop was Niagara Falls. After the ride on the “Mail of the Mist” and dinner at the Top of the Falls Restaurant, they observed the lighted falls.

The following morning, they took a boat ride through five locks on the Erie Canal completed in 1921.

In Rochester, they toured the home of George Eastman and the George Eastman Museum, the world’s oldest museum dedicated to photography.

In Canandaigua, they toured the Victorian Sonnenburg Home and Gardens.

Next came a tour of the New York Wine and Culinary Institute

with a wine tasting and dinner.

The group learned about the founding of the Mormon Church by touring the original home of Joseph Smith, the founder.

Time was spent at the Hugh Wegman Grocery Store. And the next day was spent at the Corning Museum of Glass where they observed a glassmaking demonstration. Everyone got to make their own etched glass to take home.

The next stop was Elmira College where Mark Twain wrote “Hucklebery Finn” in a little gazebo.

Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame was the next destination. The following day, the group toured the Vanderbilt Mansion and then checked into the Thayer Hotel and took a tour of West Point and the military museum on campus.

In Hyde Park, the group toured the home of Eleanor Roosevelt

Forty members and friends of Spring Branch Lodge toured Upstate New York and the Hudson River Valley this fall. and the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt as well as the presidential library and museum. Lunch was served at a famous New York

diner.

The last evening included a tour and a farewell dinner at the Culinary Institute of America.

Before heading for the airport in Newark, New Jersey, the group toured the Lundhuurst Mansion in Tarrytown.

Events Dance at Braun Hall. Bimbo and Borderline NOVeMBeR All month – Columbia Lodge is collecting will provide the music. Pre-sale tickets are

non-perishable food items for the North Tex- $20 and are available by calling Braun Hall or as Food Bank. Donations can be placed in the 210-688-9241. Tickets at the door will be $25.

31 – DaCosta Lodge will host a New Year’s collection boxes at the Hall.

Eve Dance at the lodge hall. Liberty will proDeCeMBeR vide the dance music. Doors open at 8 p.m.

9 – The Goodtime Polka and Waltz Club of The event is BYOB with setups available at New Braunfels will host a dance from 3-7 the hall. Bring your own snacks and party fap.m. at Eagles Hall, 257 South St. The Travel- vors, no coolers please. ers Orchestra from Columbus will provide the music. Guests are welcome. Memberships MARCh available at the reservation table. Call 830- 9 – The Retirement Home Chili and Bean 660-0437 or 830-660-4866 for more informa- Cook-off will be held. For the first time this tion. year, a Vendors Market is being included.

31 – Hochheim-Prairie Lodge will host a New Anyone wanting to rent a spot to sell their Year’s Eve Dance at Turner Hall. Music will be wares can do so for $25. The cook-off is open provided by The Original Moods. Dance runs to anyone for a cost of $15 for amateurs and from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The doors will open $20 for CASI-sanctioned cooks. Bean entries at 6:30 p.m. Contact Wilburn Partmann at are $10. Proceeds benefit the Retirement 361-293-5576 for more information.

Home Scholarship Fund. Call the Home at 31 – Helotes Lodge will host a New Year’s Eve 830-995-2724 for more information.

If you would like to see your lodge’s event listed here and in the Events section of the Hermann Sons Life website, call Kathie Ninneman, 210-226-9261, ext. 273, or 1-800-234-4124, ext. 273, or email kathien@hermannsonslife.org.

editor/Communications Director Kathie Ninneman 210-226-9261, ext. 273 email: kathien@hermannsonslife.org Assistant editor/Assistant Communications Director elaine Soto 210-226-9261, ext. 279 email: elaines@hermannsonslife.org Fax: 1-888-443-3377 or 210-892-0252 Website: www.hermannsonslife.org 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: kathien@hermannsonslife.org Deadline for each monthly issue is the 10th of the month of publication.

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 (Art. 38, Grand Lodge Laws).

Page 4 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Marketing

Christmas is the season of giving

By TIM KOLBE Vice President of Marketing By the time you read this, Thanksgiving will be a memory, save for the leftovers, if any.

I’m looking for recipes for leftover turkey if you have some.

I hope you had an opportunity to spend time with family or friends, catching up while enjoying each other’s company.

This time of year we think of the upcoming holiday season as a season of giving.

I am extremely proud of my lodge for our Rockport Make a Difference Day initiative.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, Seguin Lodge members loaded up five vehicles full of items for the people of Rockport still affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

We made two stops that day, and contributed to four different organizations.

The receiving volunteers were astounded at the amount of quality goods and food we delivered. Check out our Seguin Lodge Facebook page for more details and pictures. Our lodge offers a big thank you to members Paul and Cheryl Gescheidle for coordinating this initiative.

I hope your lodge did something big or small assisting those in need in our communities for Make a Difference Day. Our Hermann Sons Life lodges are the visible local representatives of our greater organization and we need your help to make a positive impact in communities across Texas.

Remember to plan for your 2019 community service events and follow the support materials in your lodge officer planners.

January is the time to begin planning for Join Hands Day in

May 2019.

If you were not aware, your community service efforts impact our ability to market Hermann Sons Life insurance products to others who do not know us.

What the greater society does know and care about are organizations which do good works for others.

People align themselves with groups that assist those in need, protect the environment and leave a positive impact in the world.

People want to be part of something greater than themselves, and will spend their dollars with those who help them make a difference.

That is how our lodges are a valuable component of outreach and success for our organization.

I hope your lodge will take an active part in our goal of

Hermann Sons Life Senior Adult Final Expense Plan (SAFE) • Policy amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000 • Modified underwriting can accommodate some medical conditions (but this is not a guarantee issue plan) • The plan grows 2.5% annually on the face value (For example, a $10,000 plan grows by $250 each year the certificate is in force)

• Death benefits are paid tax-free to beneficiaries (Convert those bank CDs to a tax-free payout life insurance plan)

• Single premium. Pay once and you’re done.

(Except for annual lodge membership dues)

Other plans are available that may suit your needs.

Contact your agent or the Home Office at 877-437-6266 or 210-527-9113 www.hermannsonslife.org

helping others, while bringing in more members.

We have brochures available for lodges that want to distribute information during your community service events. Invite your area agent to help.

I want to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas season. It seems like only yesterday that we three brothers and families spent Christmas Eve at my parents’ house with our own young children.

Dad had a tradition that we all sing songs of the season prior to opening the presents.

If you know kids, that’s like holding a bag of sweet feed in front of a starving horse. They were chomping at the bit!

It went well enough, until these eight kids got older and learned that there are alternative lyrics to “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.”

Now Dad was a strict tradi-

tionalist when it came to Rudolph, and any deviation from the standard was downright intolerable.

There was more than one occasion that he displayed his displeasure with some very un-Christmas-like language!

Finally Grandpa would give up, drop the starting gate, and the present-opening would commence with great fanfare.

That’s code for stand back or lose an appendage!

Dad’s been gone for six years now and Mom has advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

Those days are gone but not forgotten, and we honor their memory during this time.

Do something nice for someone this Christmas season with the hope it will be passed on to someone else.

Thank you for allowing us at Hermann Sons Life to serve you, our members.

A Message from the Board Cont’d. from Pg. 2 The Board commended Interim President Schulmeier for her decision to appoint Director Cecily Kelly to the position of Vice President of Member Benefits and her selection was approved.

During her quarterly report, Interim President Schulmeier gave updates regarding proposed changes to the medical underwriting requirements and mentioned that Vice President Tim Kolbe would be having a mandatory agent training session on Aug. 11 to cover the changes with the sales force.

She explained that she had hired a part-time college student for the summer to assist in the processing of member information forms. She also stated that largely due to this assistance, processing of 77 percent of the forms had been completed.

Interim President Schulmeier gave a report on the Member Benefits Committee meeting held in July at the Camp and Retirement Home. Board Chair Sandra Jones commented that she had already gotten some positive feedback regarding the meeting from one of the committee members.

Interim President Schulmeier also reported that a long-time colleague of Hermann Sons Life had been secured on retainer as a Human Resources Consultant. She also stated she had hired a new employee to serve in the Member Services Department.

The Board was notified that the Executive Camp Director position was being advertised since former Executive Camp Director Katie Miller had re-

signed to return to her former job as a school teacher.

The format of the 2021 Convention was discussed and it was determined that it will remain similar to the format of prior years. The Board thanked Interim President Schulmeier for her report and the great job she is doing for Hermann Sons Life.

On Tuesday, Vice President of Information Technology Matt Walker reported that Network/ Security/System Admin Jon Thompson had recently completed security software package upgrades at the Home Office, Camp and Retirement Home. He spoke at length on the policy administration system upgrade proposal and the work his department will be doing on the 2017 Commissioners Standard Ordinary (CSO) tables. The Board thanked him for his report and the job his department was doing on the system upgrade.

Board Chair Jones let everyone know that the annual state bowling tournament had collected $460 in donations for the Grief Camp.

Member Benefits Director Kelly was invited to the meeting to give a report on behalf of the Member Benefits Department. She stated registration was under way for the Schools of Dance, and that an instructor and liaison meeting with 40 attendees had been held in July. She reported that she had received 19 Retirement Home inquiries and four new residents had been approved for entry since May with one more applicant pending recommendation from the company physician.

She discussed that 2018

Camp attendance was only down by 25 children. She explained that Camp had been cut one week shorter this year, but that next year they will be adding the extra week back in.

She detailed that 63 children had been able to attend and benefit from our Grief Camp.

Director Kelly reported that 300 people had attended the Shining Star Family Fun Day held at Schlitterbahn in June and discussed several lodges that may be merging in the future.

The Board thanked her for stepping up and taking care of the events and handling all of the other duties that fall under the Member Benefits Department.

During his quarterly report, Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe discussed production, indicating that the premium income is very close to matching last year’s total. He explained that since several of the agents had resigned or retired and several new agents were hired in the last quarter, the sales force currently consisted of 81 field agents and five Special Representatives.

He also spoke on various marketing outreach efforts including direct mail advertisements, presence in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual, newspaper spots in several local publications, advertisement space in the Local Community News magazine and a 13-week radio campaign with 1200 WOAI. It was suggested that he network with other fraternal organizations that have historically maintained open communications regarding the industry. The Board thanked him for his report.

Winners named in dance referral contest SAN ANTONIO – The Marketing Department has announced the winners in the dance class referral campaign.

During registration, dancers had the opportunity to participate in a member recommendation contest for a chance to win a $50 rebate of the assessment fee they paid when they registered and a chance to win $100 in the regular monthly referral drawing.

The winners of the $50 rebate were: Bandera, Kierstin Brown; Castroville, Presley Wiemers; Corpus, Adelyn Alvarado; Devine, Ashlyn Stricker; Ganado, Khloe Nelson; Goliad, Maylee Cloessner; Gonzales, Laramie Mills; Hochheim-Prairie, Jiselle Perez; Jourdanton, Madisynn Cervera; Karnes City, Violet Cordova; La Vernia, Henley Turner; New Braunfels, Halle Davidson; San Antonio, Giselle DeLeon; and Seguin, Kate Erlanson.

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 5

The Board feels Hermann Sons Life is very fortunate to have such a hard-working Executive Team working for our organization. We know they could not do everything they do alone, and our thanks go to all of the employees at the Home Office, Camp and Retirement Home. Keep up the good

work.

We would also like to say thanks to our membership and ask that you continue to have faith in us as a Board as we continue to make the decisions we feel are best for Hermann Sons Life. If you ever have a question or a comment, please feel free to contact us.

Tarrillion wins gift card The Marketing Department is recognizing 38 recommenders for the month of October. That makes 485 members recommending 628 new members to Hermann Sons Life in 2018. The winner of the $100 gift card for October is Jonathan Tarrillion from Cibolo Lodge.

Recommender Malford E. Brehm Jr., Cibolo Lodge Madison Alyssa Coburn, Cuero Family Lodge Jocelynn DelaRosa, Giddings Lodge Corey Russell Friar, Paul Vogt Lodge Shirley Griffin, Pershing Lodge Lucinda Hutcherson, New Braunfels Lodge Laurie Ann Kasper, Giddings Lodge Crystal Rene Krieg, Coupland Lodge (*) Leonard Kuenstler, Hochheim-Prairie Lodge (*) Breanna Kay Lackey, Kirby Lodge Adelyn Langston, Helotes Lodge Karen Bachmeyer Locke, Brenham Lodge Mary Deana Marvin, Columbia Lodge Chasity Brooke McCoy, New Braunfels Lodge John D. Miesen, Siemering Lodge Betty Ruth Newman, Hondo Victory Lodge Cheryl Ann Novak, Flatonia Lodge Ansley Rae Pederson, Mission-Alamo Lodge Payton J. Salzman, Castroville Lodge Lori Jenee Smith, Comfort Lodge Shae Stelzel, Rosenberg-Richmond Lodge (&) Peighton Stevens, New Braunfels Lodge (*) Jonathan Tarrillion, Cibolo Lodge (*) Kinsley Diane Tondre, Castroville Lodge Jeffery Turner, Siemering Lodge Mayson Bridges, El Campo Lodge Martha D. Gallegos, Louise Schuetze Lodge Steven Real, Cibolo Lodge Robert Sullivan, Columbia Lodge Emma Van Zandt, Castroville Lodge (*) Giselle DeLeon, Siemering Lodge Katherine Alvarez, Jackson County Lodge Madisynn Cervera, Jourdanton Lodge Jiselle Perez, Hochheim-Prairie Lodge Laramie Mills, Gonzales Lodge Khloe Nelson, Jackson County Lodge (*) Presley Wiemers, D’Hanis Lodge Henley Turner, La Vernia Lodge

Agent Dan Boenig Bobbie Polasek Loretta Chilek Pamela Poulk Carol Krauss Shirley Huebinger Loretta Chilek Sandra Jones Wayne Tiffin Pamela Poulk Rayna Irwin Gary Falkenberg Sandra Jones Laura Ann Timmermann Sharon Tanneberger Richard Muennink Linda Mattocks Roxy Pruski Glenford Boehme Norma Bruns Chris Stoeltje Kathryn Green Pamela Poulk Eulla Krueger Emma Moya Dennis Wigginton Eulla Krueger Shirley Huebinger Helen Brown Eulla Krueger Dan Boenig Sam Matlock Katrina Wiatrek Bobbie Polasek Bobbie Polasek Sam Matlock Glenford Boehme Marlin Tanneberger

(*) Recommended 2 new members (&) Recommended 4 new members

Page 6 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Retirement Home

Home welcomes new residents COMFORT – Guests at the Home in October included Robert Boring who was there to visit his parents, Chief and Trudy Boring; Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe; and Margaret and Stan Paradowski from Abilene who were there to visit Marga-

ret’s mom, Rosie Franklin.

Birthday cake and ice cream were served for dessert at the noon meal on Oct. 28 to honor the birthdays of Harold Forqueran, Myrtle Kirchhoff and Vonnie Clubb.

Anglican Priest David Guthrie

conducted chapel service and Holy Communion on Oct. 22 with Kathy Bender and Al Schroeder assisting.

The newest residents at the Home are Roger and Cindy Preacher.

– Helen Widner

In October, Meredith Morran came to the Home to take photos and to interview residents for her senior project. Meredith is the granddaughter of residents Ross and Betty Murphy. She attends Brown University and takes classes in design at Rhode Island School of Design. Her project is a multimedia presentation on the Retirement Home, its history and its residents.

Donations

Donations to the Retirement Home in Memory of: dorthy mae tockhorn Donor: Brenham Lodge

phyllis amy foster Donor: Da Costa Lodge

joseph p. connelly richard loyd harper Donor: Dallas Lodge

gilbert weiss calvin hamann Donor: Richland Lodge

Donations to the Retirement Home Scholarship Fund in Memory of: mary jane ritter sister rosemary martinez m.s.a. philip de waal Donors: Jack & Dianne Larned

Donations to the Camp in Memory of: dorothy mae tockhorn Donor: Brenham Lodge

gayle lynn engelMoHR Donor: Jackson County Lodge

Donations to “Hugs from Home” from:

The Guadalupe River near the Home was on the rise on Oct. 16. The river rose so high that the bridge on Hermann Sons Road was closed for a few hours. Several Home employees were unable to get to work but the Home and residents were never in any danger. Employees already on duty just stayed longer and pitched in to get meals prepared and to take care of any other needs.

At breakfast on Oct. 16, residents sang “Happy Birthday” to Myrtle Kirchhoff who is now a young 93 years old.

Puzzle answers for Pg. 28 Crossword Puzzle across Down 1. Frosty 2. Rudolph 4. Sleigh 3. Snow 8. Elf 5. Chimney 9. Ornament 6. Candy cane 10. Christmas 7. Present 11. Stocking 10. Cookie 12. Tree 11. Santa

McGregor Lodge Giddings Lodge Carol Swan Hondo Victory Lodge Mission-Alamo Lodge

Shirley Carver Jack Larned Rosenberg-Richmond Lodge Wayne & Janila Kilborn

Donations to grief Support Camp from: Vonnie Clubb celebrated her birthday in October.

Fort Worth Lodge Spring Branch Lodge Maxwell Lodge Patsy Walker in memory of Bill & Donna Estes

Dunlay Lodge in memory of Calvin Schott Janie Leonhardt in memory of Eugene & Malinda Leonhardt

Home Christmas Fund The following lodges had made donations to the Retirement Home Christmas Fund as of Nov. 21: Spring Branch Hondo Victory New Bielau Hochheim-Prairie La Grange Bexar Marion Moulton Nagel Burton General Bee Fort Worth Giddings Taylor

Karnes City San Marcos Kypfer-Salge Austin Lockhart Coupland Niederwald Mission-Alamo Castroville Roscoe Macdona Vineta Wichita Falls Seguin

Donations are used to buy a gift that all residents can enjoy.

Make A Difference Day

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 7

DEANVILLE – Deanville Lodge collected items for cancer patient gift bags. The items included hand sanitizer, hand lotion, hard candy and mouthwash. The items were placed in bags that were given to cancer patients going through chemo treatments. The Deanville 4-H Club collected several items to add to the bags and also helped fill bags.

FREDERICKSBURG – Fredericksburg Lodge members and guests are pictured with the pet food donations they made at the November meeting. They are, from left, Edgar Priess, Hans Enderlin, Margaret Priess, Windy Duecker, Lola Enderlin, Geneva Tatsch, Elgin Tatsch and Marissa Weinheimer. Not pictured are Sandy Fisk, George Fisk and Katherine Cornehl.

VINETA – Vineta Lodge members and friends visited the St. Francis Nursing Home and hosted a games party for the residents. Pictured are, from left, Irene Kace, Sister Inca, Gladys Garrett, Beth Byron, Cecilia Padalecki, Ruth Bailey, Lillian Franckowiak and Emily Roberts.

STERN – Stern Lodge made a $400 donation to the Christian Cupboard in Seguin. President Rick May and Vice President Ricky Engelke presented the check.

DALLAS – Dallas Lodge members volunteered at the City Square food pantry near downtown Dallas. Volunteering to stock food were Eva Day, Eva Lloyd, Clint and Terri Holmes, Brigitte Robinson, Andy Schellenberg and Amanda Sherrill.

The lodge also made a $50 donation to help City Square buy food.

Page 8 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Make A Difference Day

GIDDINGS – Giddings Lodge provided food for the children who go to the Lee County Youth Center each day after school. The day they served food there are about 72 children and workers.

Pictured are, from left, Claudia Erickson, Loretta Chilek, Bill Hinkston, Patricia Abell and Cecilia Martinez.

Giddings Lodge member Loretta Chilek is pictured with Kaye Gonzalez from the Lee County Youth Center. Kaye operates a store for the children who can use the “bucks” they earn each week to buy items. The lodge is a longtime supporter of the Youth Center.

HOCHHEIM-PRAIRIE – Hochheim-Prairie Lodge members hosted a games party at Stevens Nursing Home. Pictured are, from left, Abeigh and Gage Dicke, Carolyn Hoepfl, Tommy Wenzel, resident Steve Chomout, Activity Director Ashley Boedeker, Roberta Wenzel, Janet Zabransky and Charlie Hoepfl. The members played games with the residents and distributed Halloween treat bags.

BEXAR – Bexar Lodge delivered non-perishable items to the Ronald McDonald House in San Antonio. Making the delivery were, from left, Beverly Hutzler, Joan Crider, Carolyn Stanford and Linda Wehmeyer.

LOCKHART – Lockhart Lodge members Nancy Hess, McKenzie Hess and Lil Pfefferkorn filled Halloween bags with assorted snacks and donated them to the youth at the First United Methodist Church who in turn took them to the residents at the Golden Age Home. Lodge members pictured are, from left, Edwin Daily, Jayden Kimble and McKenzie Hess.

PERSHING – Pershing Lodge members donated items to SAMMinistries in San Antonio. Pictured are, from left, Wayne Kilborn, Janilla Kilborn, Dorothy Pawlik, Marilyn Hoster, Alice Golla, Shirley Griffin, Matthew Prader from SAMMinistries, Carol Krauss and President Beth Warne, who is also pictured with the items loaded on the cart.

Make A Difference Day

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 9

CIBOLO – Cibolo Lodge sponsored a games party for the residents at the TruCare Living Center. Lodge members taking part in the program were, from left, Sherry Rakowitz, Rita Ennis, Kasey Shepherd, John Gray, Gail Gray, Dena Warneke, Javion Campos, Tracy Campos and, not pictured, Katherine Campos.

HONDO VICTORY – Hondo Victory Lodge made two donations. One of the donations went to the Medina County Food Pantry. Pictured at the check presentation are, from left, lodge member Grace Schmidt, food pantry board member Ethel Martin and lodge member Loraine Miller.

Hondo Victory Lodge also made a donation to the Hondo School of Dance Storage Box Fund. The adults pictured are, from left, Kristin Courtney, lodge members Emilie Cowan and Loraine Miller, Cinnamon Bursell and Jaelynda Prothero. The dancers are, from left, Makynzie Prothero, Lena Christopherson, Addilyn Beard, Zoey Bursell and Madisyn Prothero.

HARMONIA – Harmonia Lodge members cleaned up the Harmonia Lodge Cemetery in San Antonio.

Page 10 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Pioneers

Mary Beecroft, left, has received her 60-year membership pin. Mary lives in Corpus Christi and is a member of San Marcos Lodge. She joined March 10, 1958.

Hollis Flach, right, has received his 60-year membership pin. Hollis is a member of Comfort Lodge.

He lives in Houston and has been a member since April 15, 1958.

Make A Difference Day

ROUND TOP – For a month this fall, Round Top Lodge collected items for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program in its area. Pictured with the items collected are members and guests, front, from left, Jocie Braun, Keelyn Johnson, Linda Mattocks, back, from left, Jim Mattocks, Ted and Margie Stardig, Betty and Bob Porter, Kristi Glasper, Jeanette Schoenst, Floyd Braun, Lila and Barton Garlin and Red Schoenst.

Marc Land has received his 60year membership pin. Marc is a member of Fredericksburg Lodge. He lives in Fredericksburg and has been a member since Sept. 1, 1958.

Annette McDermott has received her 60-year membership pin. Annette lives in Bedford. She is a member of Fredericksburg Lodge and has been a member since Sept. 11, 1958.

Herman Schoener has received his 60-year membership pin.

Herman is a member of Coupland Lodge. He lives in Bellville, Ill., and has been a member since Oct. 5, 1958.

Darwin Ray Schwertner Jr. has received his 60-year membership pin. Darwin is a member of Schwertner Lodge. He lives in Georgetown and has been a member since Sept. 5, 1958.

Betty Gail White of Sugar Land has received her 60-year membership pin.

Betty is a member of Womack Lodge.

She joined on Aug. 7, 1958.

LAUBACH – Laubach Lodge President June Herzog presented a donation on behalf of the lodge to the Navarro FFA Booster Club and the E.C.A. Puls Farm Heritage Center.

75 Years

60 Years

raymond mauch El Campo Lodge

william f. hall jr.

Anton Wenzel Lodge

70 Years

timothy m. holck Austin Lodge

albert wm holck Austin Lodge ruby b. henneke Bernardo Lodge hazel beyer Cameron Lodge william e. zorn jr.

Del Rio Lodge carl w. steinle Dunlay Lodge evelyn faye mikulin joanne m. voigt Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge henry hohenberger Fredericksburg Lodge max h. schuebel Hochheim-Prairie Lodge Paula j. jureski Houston Lodge harvey l. kunze La Coste Lodge la verne garner Needville Lodge erwin schuenemann Nordheim Lodge Phyllis j. stevens Pershing Lodge clyde robert maha Poth Lodge lorene sirianni delores l. wick Schulenburg Lodge jesse roy hart Seguin Lodge

darrell w. kolwes Bellville Lodge linda sue barden Patsy ann moore Brunhilde Lodge robert c. west jr.

Columbia Lodge w.h. hofferichter wayne norman hofferichter Converse Lodge celestine dryden Corpus Christi Lodge victor v. dvorak jr.

Ellinger Lodge darlene joyce butler delPhine moehlmann Gay Hill Lodge sharon marie kemPf Helotes Lodge linda a. tschirhart Hondo Victory Lodge lori jean smith Houston Lodge

Pioneers melissa s. kittley sharon l. stanford Old Glory Lodge Patricia d. brown janette c. hamilton connie kay marx Paul Vogt Lodge robert wayne hilbig Pershing Lodge lynette r. borgfeld Round Rock Lodge susan ann kohleffel emma ann nitschke Schulenburg Lodge carolyn j. marwitz Shive Lodge gary earl hoeft Waco-Robinson Lodge bobby alan strieber Yorktown Lodge

50 Years thomas gerald mathis Anton Wenzel Lodge billy ray blackmon christy sheets johnston malcom clay schmidt william o. sheets Austin Lodge roxie lee long Boerne Lodge

steven b. winston Lone Oak Lodge

robert william grabarschick rodney ray roeske Brenham Lodge

rhonda lynn galler Patricia lawhon gavia Louise Schuetze Lodge

lori mardell snow Brunhilde Lodge

cynthia jo caseres Macdona Lodge allen wayne kunz erwin lee kunz New Bielau Lodge mark albert triesch New Braunfels Lodge

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 11

theresa e. garlin Burton Lodge billy bob sanders Bryan Lodge

Pamela goetz blomquist Patricia a. dickey david ray felPs steven w. schmidt Coupland Lodge

irene s. blanchette lois hazel cote stacey jo jenschke helen maria marlowe christoPher mccomb jeffrey a. michaud kitty a. vick Pershing Lodge

dale d. friedrichs DaCosta Lodge

barry l. vacek ii Rosenberg-Richmond Lodge

christoPher s. koog Del Rio Lodge

shanta lyn mikulenka Schulenburg Lodge

lisa m. hoelscher Ellinger Lodge

jeffrey h. dietert samuel h. dietert Spring Branch Lodge

elyse g. hall Corpus Christi Lodge

brian james klozik Flatonia Lodge floyd bentke arthur w. grimm Gay Hill Lodge ronna gail dieringer General Bee Lodge ronica dawn sPacek Giddings Lodge michelle fay schulze reta fay schulze Goliad Lodge andrea mohrmann rita mohrmann Gonzales Lodge

michael james bachmayer Taylor Lodge johnnie bindseil Twin Sisters Lodge ruth f. colson agnes s. jackson olivia P. sobeczek Vineta Lodge malea ann schwerwitz cathy sue steed Waco-Robinson Lodge brett david crawson Womack Lodge

john f. jackson jr. john f. jackson sr. ronald l. Pilcher kenneth w. short Harmonia Lodge myrl r. britten La Coste Lodge sharon a. halbardier Laubach Lodge julie anne hilbig Louise Schuetze Lodge michael b. nickel Maxwell Lodge

marian e. hersum Castroville Lodge

william r. borchers lisa m. shelton New Braunfels Lodge

carla ruth schladoer Comfort Lodge

michael lee brysch Nordheim Lodge

Judith Stewart of Liberty Hill has received her 70-year membership pin. Judith is a member of Schwertner Lodge. She became a member on Sept. 20, 1948.

Page 12 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Judge Johnny Primomo, center, from Camp Discovery accepted the $9,500 raised during the Tee It Up for a Cause Benefit Golf Tournament. Making the presentation were tournament co-chairmen Brad Dietrich, left, and Harry Werland. Camp Discovery serves children who have cancer.

A representative from the Board of Directors of The 100 Club of San Antonio attended the November meeting of Harmonia Lodge to accept the $1,500 raised during the annual Tee It Up for a Cause Benefit Golf Tournament. Making the presentation were tournament co-chairmen Brad Dietrich, left, and Harry Werland.

Harmonia presents proceeds from tournament SAN ANTONIO – Harmonia Lodge presented a total of $11,000 in proceeds from its annual Tee It Up for a Cause Benefit Golf Tournament to two worthy causes in November.

A check for $9,500 was pre-

sented to Camp Discovery, a camp for children.

Another check for $1,500 was presented to The 100 Club of San Antonio.

The 100 Club serves the families of law enforcement and fire

department personnel who have died in the line of duty.

The proceeds include $500 in Matching Funds from the Home Office.

The annual tournament was held in September at The Re-

public Golf Club in San Antonio.

The Albatross Sponsor for the event was Wells Fargo Bank.

The 19th Hole Sponsors were Mike and Mary Beam and the Cart Sponsors were Steve and Julie Prewitt.

Par Sponsors were Coeur Plan Services, Brad Dietrich-Re/Max Realtor, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo Advisors, Rocking JD Advisors and Insurica.

There also were numerous hole sponsors.

Winners from the Tee It Up for a Cause Benefit Golf Tournament sponsored

by Harmonia Lodge are pictured receiving their prizes from tournament co-chairmen Brad Dietrich and Harry Werland.

A total of 13 teams took part in the tournament with prizes awarded to the top three teams and the men and women with the longest drive and closest to the pin shots.

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 13

In Memoriam of Our Deceased Members tillie b. ottele Louise Schuetze Lodge Died March 1, 1998 • Age 72

louis rega Edelweiss-Magnolia Lodge Died Dec. 10, 2014 • Age 91

james a. krenek Ellinger Lodge Died May 8, 2018 • Age 80

melvin meinecke Brenham Lodge Died Aug. 11, 2018 • Age 83

harry h. eschberger Paige Lodge Died Sept. 6, 2018 • Age 84

malcolm b. harbison Goliad Lodge Died Nov. 18, 2004 • Age 89

chuck marlin martin Niederwald Lodge Died Dec. 18, 2014 • Age 46

lucille t. buckhaults Comfort Lodge Died May 11, 2018 • Age 91

carl e. rabe Anton Wenzel Lodge Died Aug. 13, 2018 • Age 95

leroy kneupper Comfort Lodge Died Sept. 6, 2018 • Age 99

Dessie l. marsh Houston Lodge Died Aug. 31, 2009 • Age 88

lillie l. krupka Brenham Lodge Died Jan. 6, 2015 • Age 102

auDrey h. krenek Ellinger Lodge Died May 25, 2018 • Age 75

john c. weller jr.

Siemering Lodge Died Aug. 13, 2018 • Age 67

jerry eDwarD thane McGregor Lodge Died Sept. 8, 2018 • Age 85

wenDy colette kirk Da Costa Lodge Died Nov. 23, 2009 • Age 37

mary frances hees Richland Lodge Died Feb. 2, 2015 • Age 78

vicky miran Vineta Lodge Died June 16, 2018 • Age 93

a.l. schwarzkopf Seguin Lodge Died Aug. 18, 2018 • Age 74

alton ray jalufka Gruenau Lodge Died Sept. 11, 2018 • Age 91

ellen rose robbins Kerrville Lodge Died Oct. 27, 2012 • Age 90

betty jean melDe Piney Woods Lodge Died March 30, 2015 • Age 77

helen m. kethan Vineta Lodge Died June 17, 2018 • Age 87

elsie nelDa steeD Waco-Robinson Lodge Died Aug. 22, 2018 • Age 90

birDie lee brantley Gulf Lodge Died Sept. 14, 2018 • Age 92

marion r. alexanDer Fredericksburg Lodge Died Oct. 31, 2012 • Age 87

DaviD paul crunk Kirby Lodge Died April 22, 2015 • Age 48

leroy t. polDrack Coupland Lodge Died June 27, 2018 • Age 88

Dean thomas reese Kerrville Lodge Died Aug. 24, 2018 • Age 63

franklin j. muennink Hondo Lodge Died Sept. 14, 2018 • Age 88

DaviD j. mrha La Coste Lodge Died April 8, 2013 • Age 82

zachary m. brown Taylor Lodge Died May 28, 2015 • Age 32

henry j. boehm jr.

Brenham Lodge Died June 28, 2018 • Age 79

roy j. manglberger Fredericksburg Lodge Died Aug. 28, 2018 • Age 87

Daniel m. heiman Seguin Lodge Died Sept. 17, 2018 • Age 86

thomas g. elliott Corpus Christi Lodge Died June 7, 2013 • Age 59

charles c. neal Harmonia Lodge Died Nov. 2, 2016 • Age 71

milroy h. krebs Shelby Lodge Died July 3, 2018 • Age 87

marjorie D. briDges Vineta Lodge Died Aug. 28, 2018 • Age 89

glynisse briDges Anton Wenzel Lodge Died Sept. 17, 2018 • Age 98

hermann vogel Prinz Solms Lodge Died July 15, 2014 • Age 77

eleanora j. rainosek Schulenburg Lodge Died June 10, 2017 • Age 92

george e. smolik Karnes City Lodge Died July 4, 2018 • Age 88

john h. schraeDer Waco-Robinson Lodge Died Aug. 31, 2018 • Age 85

clauDe ray morgan Nordheim Lodge Died Sept. 18, 2018 • Age 90

lloyD lee jorDan Anton Wenzel Lodge Died Aug. 5, 2014 • Age 36

leann marie stokes Vineta Lodge Died July 25, 2017 • Age 57

henry william finck Harmonia Lodge Died July 10, 2018 • Age 88

floyD r. heaD Spring Branch Lodge Died Aug. 31, 2018 • Age 86

Dorothy m. strange Vineta Lodge Died Sept. 20, 2018 • Age 94

eDna rauch Cibolo Lodge Died Aug. 25, 2014 • Age 99

enrique guerrero Pershing Lodge Died Aug. 3, 2017 • Age 101

betty ruth holDer Wichita Falls Lodge Died July 11, 2018 • Age 88

frieDa t. thompson Brenham Lodge Died Sept. 1, 2018 • Age 87

eDwarD longhofer jr.

Brenham Lodge Died Sept. 20, 2018 • Age 70

willie mae west Lockhart Lodge Died Aug. 27, 2014 • Age 99

helen barbara shaw Louise Schuetze Lodge Died Oct. 31, 2017 • Age 83

Delphine j. maresh Rosenberg-Richmond Lodge Died July 14, 2018 • Age 80

john f. onion jr.

Siemering Lodge Died Sept. 2, 2018 • Age 93

elizabeth engelholm Bellville Lodge Died Sept. 20, 2018 • Age 83

katherine g. stolte Helotes Lodge Died Sept. 4, 2014 • Age 60

gene p. borel Brenham Lodge Died Nov. 24, 2017 • Age 61

martin h. punDt Corpus Christi Lodge Died July 24, 2018 • Age 93

gilbert r. weiss Richland Lodge Died Sept. 3, 2018 • Age 94

Daniel r. reDman Rowena Lodge Died Sept. 23, 2018 • Age 88

henrietta m. martin Vineta Lodge Died Oct. 13, 2014 • Age 91

joseph p. connelly Dallas Lodge Died Jan. 17, 2018 • Age 78

arlon f. krause San Marcos Lodge Died July 25, 2018 • Age 90

william j. kemp Haskell Lodge Died Sept. 4, 2018 • Age 95

DaviD w. mills Jourdanton Lodge Died Sept. 24, 2018 • Age 72

valarie l. spiser Vineta Lodge Died Oct. 15, 2014 • Age 61

larry allen hartman Orange Grove Lodge Died March 5, 2018 • Age 69

leon l. stoeltje Harmonia Lodge Died Aug. 1, 2018 • Age 94

joe c. smith New Braunfels Lodge Died Sept. 6, 2018 • Age 82

DaviD jerome ging Coupland Lodge Died Sept. 24, 2018 • Age 75

merrilyn m. gohlke Helotes Lodge Died Dec. 9, 2014 • Age 75

betty a. smith Louise Schuetze Lodge Died April 9, 2018 • Age 88

thomas c. frost jr.

Mission-Alamo Lodge Died Aug. 10, 2018 • Age 91

barbara jo mckinzie Fort Worth Lodge Died Sept. 6, 2018 • Age 84

The names of deceased members are listed on this page only after a death claim has been filed.

Page 14 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Old Glory Lodge elects 2019 officers OLD GLORY – Old Glory Lodge will meet Sunday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. Ham will be furnished.

Members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert for the evening meal.

A large crowd was on hand for the November meeting.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Bobby Joe Lusk of Rule.

President Doug Vahlenkamp reported on the successful Sausage Supper. In spite of the rain and mud, more than 400 people

Moulton Lodge donates funds, toys Moulton Lodge made a donation to the LAMB Ministries at the November meeting. Vice President Kathy Koch, left, presented the check to Lisa Rothbauer.

came to enjoy the good food.

A word of appreciation was extended to the committee on a job well done.

Discussion was held on the purchase of new tables and chairs. Members decided to let the trustees find the best deal and make the purchase.

After some discussion, members agreed to allow the trustees to look into the price of making some repairs to the inside of the hall.

The 2019 officers were elect-

ed and will be president, Doug Vahlenkamp; vice president, Keith Corzine; secretary, Diane Smith; treasurer, Verlene Corzine; trustee, Terry Letz; and Finance Committee member, Chub Richards. Anita Dozier will serve as reporter.

Terry Letz won the door prize.

Following the meeting the group played games and enjoyed a turkey and dressing meal with all the extras and plenty of good desserts.

– Reporter

Bellville Lodge meets Dec. 17

Louise Schuetze Lodge will celebrate Christmas Dec. 10

BELLVILLE – Bellville Lodge will meet Dec. 17 at 12 noon.

Members are reminded that the location has changed. The meeting will be held at El Ji-

SAN ANTONIO – Louise Schuetze Lodge will celebrate Christmas on Dec. 10. Members are asked to bring finger foods or snacks. A $10 gift exchange game will be held for those wanting to participate.

The lodge celebrated Thanksgiving at the Nov. 12 meeting.

Members and guests enjoyed the turkey and dressing provid-

mador Mexican Grill, 864 East Hill Street, Bellville.

The meeting will include Christmas music.

– Reporter

ed by the lodge and the fixings they had provided.

Officers for 2019 were elected and will include President Lisa Robalin, Vice President Lori Todd and Financial Trustee Carol Grill.

Members thanked outgoing president Janice Schwab. She served from 2016-2018.

– Reporter

Bernardo plans gift exchange for Dec. 12 Moulton Lodge donated toys to the Lavaca County Blue Santa Program at the November meeting. Vice President of Operations Samantha Schulmeier was visiting the meeting that night and helped the children, from left, Dylan Orsak, Lindsey Orsak, Lily Vrana and Addison Grieve present the toys to Charles Grieve.

BERNARDO – Bernardo Lodge will hold its annual Christmas party on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Bernardo Volunteer Fire Department meeting room. The meal of turkey, ham and dressing will be served at 7 p.m. Members are asked to bring two side dishes.

A gift exchange will be held for those who want to participate. The gifts should be designated for a man or woman and should not cost more than $10.

The lodge will have goodies for the children.

The party will be advertised on the radio station and in the local

newspaper.

Officers were elected at the Nov. 14 meeting. They are President Terrel Maertz, Vice President Beatrice Hill, Secretary/ Treasurer Robin Maertz, Trustees Joan Trojacek, Joe Trojacek and R.W. Maertz and Finance Committee members Arlene Trojacek, Billy Hagen and Emily Frank. Robin Maertz will serve as reporter and Beatrice Hill will serve as the Cheer Committee.

During his agent report, Terrel Maertz talked about the 1 percent bonus being paid on an initial deposit into a Hermann

Sons Life 9-year fixed rate annuity. The current interest rate is 2.8 percent. Anyone needing more information about the annuities should contact Terrel at 979-732-1727.

Members approved a $25 donation to the Retirement Home Christmas Fund.

Happy Anniversary wishes were extended to Joe and Arlene Trojacek. They have been married 63 years.

Happy Birthday wishes were extended to Arlene Trojacek and Billy Hagen.

– Reporter

Rowena Lodge donates to Meals on Wheels

Moulton Lodge members celebrating birthdays at the October meeting were, from left, Allyne Chapman, Lilly Vrana and Joyce Pavlicek.

ROWENA – Rowena Lodge elected officers at the October meeting. Re-elected by acclamation were President Kathy House, Recording Secretary Kay Halfmann and Financial Secretary Vonna Peek. Dorothy Carter was elected vice president.

Members discussed candidates to receive the Humanitarian Award and a possible community service project at a local nursing home where some lodge members live.

They also discussed ways to attract more members to lodge meetings.

Members approved a $50 donation to the local Meals on Wheels program and a $25 donation to the Retirement Home Christmas Fund.

Dorothy Carter and Ivery House celebrated birthdays in October.

– Reporter

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 15

Deanville Lodge to hold Christmas party Dec. 16 DEANVILLE – October was an active month for Deanville Lodge.

On Oct. 14, the lodge provided the drinks at the annual Deanville Fire Department fundraiser.

On Oct. 22, the lodge presented the proceeds from its plate sale and Matching Funds from the Home Office to the Brazos Valley Hospice program. Lisa McNair, vice president and chief financial officer, thanked the lodge for its generous support of the program.

On Oct. 28, membership pins were presented during the lodge’s monthly meeting.

Herbert Baron Jr. received his 50-year membership pin and received a 60-year membership pin on behalf of his son, Carl Baron. Marvin Laffere was presented his 70-year membership pin and his daughter, Bridget Ofczarzak, was presented her 60-year membership pin.

Board Member David Noak presented the pins and talked about the value of volunteers in the Hermann Sons Life organization.

In observance of Make a Difference Day, the lodge collected items for cancer patient gift bags. The items included hand sanitizer, hand lotion, hard candy and mouthwash. The items were placed in bags that were given to cancer patients going through chemo treatments. The Deanville 4-H Club collected several items at their October meeting to add to the bags. Deanville 4-H members also helped fill the bags at the Oct. 28 meeting.

Marvin Laffere was presented his 70-year membership pin and his daughter, Bridget Ofczarzak, was presented her 60-year membership pin during the October Deanville meeting. Board Member David Noak, left, presented the pins and members of the family were in attendance.

Board Member David Noak, left, and members of Deanville Lodge are pictured with the supplies that the lodge and the Deanville community collected for the Grief Support Session at Hermann Sons Life Camp.

Deanville Lodge recently presented the proceeds and Matching Funds from the Home Office to the Brazos Valley Hospice organization. Lisa McNair, center, accepted the checks from Secretary Joyce Krenek and President Donnie Blinka.

Deanville Lodge and the community also collected items for the Grief Support Session held at Camp each year.

Members also provided games and treats for trick or treaters

vided by the Texas Dance Hall Preservation Group.

Get well cards were sent to Mildred Miman, J.D. Bartek Jr. and Larry Maresh.

The Christmas party is sched-

in the Deanville area during the annual St. John’s Lutheran Church Trunk or Treat event.

During the month of October, repairs were made to the floors of the hall thanks to grants pro-

Giddings welcomes three new members GIDDINGS – Giddings Lodge welcomed three new members at the October meeting. They are Riley Ann Wilhite, Brynlee Nora Smith and Daisy Marie Brown.

Family members of President Pat Abell were in attendance to help her celebrate her birthday.

They included Colleen Garcia, Keiley Jo Neely and Nikki Skull.

Members approved a donation to the Lee County Law En-

Three members of Deanville Lodge received their membership pins at the October meeting. Pictured are, from left, Herbert Baron, a member since Nov. 1, 1968; Board Member David Noak; Marvin Laffere, a member since Oct. 28, 1948; and Bridget Ofczarzak, a member since Aug. 1, 1958.

forcement Blue Santa program.

It provides gifts for many children in Lee County.

In observance of Make a Difference Day, the lodge provided food for the children at the Lee County Youth Center. There were about 72 children and several workers in attendance.

The lodge honored three hardworking volunteers at the center with certificates and gift cards.

Kaye Gonzalez, Bill Riebe and

Robin Simpson are there every day providing snacks and more for the children. Kaye has set up a store so the children can buy items with the “bucks” they earn each week. She will accept donations for the store.

Pat Abell and Belle DeLaRosa celebrated birthdays.

Get-well cards were sent to Angeline Prihoda and Arthur Urban.

– Reporter

uled for Sunday, Dec. 16. Chili will be served at noon. Santa will stop by and games will be played. Members and nonmembers are invited to attend.

– Reporter

Womack re-elects officers WOMACK – Womack Lodge will hold its Christmas meeting Sunday, Dec. 2, beginning at 5 p.m.

Members enjoyed a covered-dish supper at the Nov. 4 meeting.

All current officers were re-elected. They include Joe Crawson, president; John Rueter, vice president; Calvin Rueter, secretary-treasurer; and David Conrad, Joyce Dreyer

and Mary Sue Crawson, financial trustees.

Members approved a gift of $50 to the Clifton Food Bank in support of its annual food drive held Nov. 16.

John Rueter won the attendance prize and Beverly Rueter won the 50/50 drawing.

John and Beverly Rueter hosted the meal.

– Nadine Rueter

Page 16 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Rosenberg-Richmond donates to local food drive

ROSENBERG – RosenbergRichmond Lodge will meet Monday, Dec. 10. Chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken will be served. Dessert will be provided.

Games will be played.

Members are asked to bring non-perishable food for donation to Helping Hands.

A turkey dinner complete with dressing, sweet potatoes and green beans was served at the Nov. 12 meeting held at the Rosenberg Civic Center with 70 members and guests in attendance.

Members provided the desserts.

Sharon and W. Lee Hedt and Kevin Engelhardt were in charge of serving. Robbie Hartfiel gave

the prayer.

In honor of Veteran’s Day all veterans were asked to stand and were thanked for their service.

Welcomed as new members were Carson John Menard, Cash David Menard, Paisley Kate Allison and Presley Elizabeth Allison.

Membership Coordinator Rosalie Byrd reported that sympathy cards were sent to the family of Dylan Allen Carlson and the families of Delphine Maresh, Wayne Schmidt and Annie Zak. Get well cards were sent to W. Lee Schmidt and Otto Tiemann.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Dylan Carlson and Delphine Maresh.

Community Coordinator William Benton talked about the Channel 13 Food Drive to be held Dec. 7. The lodge will donate $100 and some of the members will help collect food.

The 2019 officers were elected and will be Calvin Lamensky, president; Fred Maynard, vice president; Cary Lamensky, three-year Finance Committee member; and Marjorie Orsak, three-year trustee.

Tom and Lynette Atkins and Jerome and Patsy Kubes donated door prizes.

Shirley Pavlock, Patsy Kubes, Jerome Kubes, Jane Maynard and Elaine Krause were the attendance prize winners.

– Loyce Anderson

Celebrating birthdays at the Rosenberg-Richmond Lodge November meeting were, from left, Calvin Lamensky, Joyce Lamensky, Sharon Hedt, Isabel Medina, Cipriana Negrete and Ray Negrete.

Mission-Alamo Lodge elects 2019 slate of officers SAN ANTONIO – Mission-Alamo Lodge elected its 2019 officers at the October Halloween meeting.

They will be Sylvia Schulmeier, president; Diane Cline, vice president; Georgia Hall, recording secretary; Kathy Wilson, Finance Committee member; and J.R. Kneupper, trustee. Allen Adams and Denise Wright were elected to serve as the lodge’s representatives on the San Antonio Home Association Board.

The lodge welcomed new members Chloe Friesenhahn and Sawyer Barr.

Also welcomed were transfer members Trevor Bettis and Michael Bowerman.

Cyrus Mahan was not present when his name was called so he

Dressed up for the Mission-Alamo Lodge Halloween meeting in October were, from left, Kathy Wilson, Denise Wright, Diane Cline, Dorothy Breezee and Carol Swan. didn’t win the jackpot.

Jack Larned won the split-thepot cash and donated it to “Hugs from Home,” which also receives the lodge’s share of the pot.

Anniversary celebrants recognized at the October meeting of Mission-Alamo Lodge were, from left, Lee and Bernice Vogel and Laura and Allen Adams.

The next meeting is set for Jan. 24. The lodge will furnish the meat and members are asked to bring a side dish.

– Reporter

Rutersville will hold Christmas party Dec. 1 RUTERSVILLE – Rutersville Lodge will hold its Christmas party Saturday, Dec. 1, at the lodge hall beginning at 6 p.m. Santa Claus will be there for the children with bags of goodies. The meal will consist of chicken fried steak and side dishes. Members are asked to bring snacks and desserts.

The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5. Sausage wraps are on the menu. Members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts.

The lodge welcomes new members Karen Marie Keilers and Hunter Roy Valenzuela.

The election of officers was held at the Nov. 7 meeting. All officers were re-elected by acclamation.

Kyle Hartmann is the newly appointed reporter.

Congratulations were extended to Vic and Michelle Valenzuela on the birth of their son, Hunter Roy. Congratulations were sent to Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Bayer following

their recent wedding. Get-well wishes were sent to Glenn Altwein, Shirley Spacek and Frankie Kopecky.

Birthday celebrants recognized were Sherry Noak, Jo Ann Mueller, Glen Hartmann and Weldon Hartmann.

Attendance prizes went home with Cheryl Kuhn, Glen Hartmann, Jo Ann Mueller, Ricky Kuhn and Kirby Keilers.

– Reporter

Mission-Alamo Lodge birthday celebrants for October, November and December were recognized at the October meeting. They are, from left, Jack Larned, Kathy Wilson, Lee Vogel, Carol Swan and John Allen.

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 17

Brenham Lodge will hold Christmas party Dec. 1 BRENHAM – The Brenham Lodge Christmas party will be held Dec. 1 beginning at 5 p.m.

The meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. Robert Zientek will provide the music.

At the Oct. 12 meeting, the lodge welcomed new members Karen Schomburg and Sylvia Moffett and transfer member Eunice Kelm from Gay Hill Lodge.

Montgomery Lodge has merged with Brenham Lodge.

Robert Prewitt, an officer in that

lodge, was in attendance.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Edward Longhofer Jr. A thank-you note was read from the family of Frieda Thompson for the donations made in her memory.

The Cheer Committee mailed sympathy cards to the family of Edward Longhofer Jr., to Eldon John Longhofer following the passing of brother Edward; to Otis Haarmeyer following the passing of sister Ruth Gurka; to

Alois and Curtis Gurka following the passing of his brotherin-law and uncle Billy Lange; to Wade Wellman following the passing of father-in-law Albert Addicks Jr.; and to the family of Dorthy Mae Tockhorn.

Special Representative Gary Falkenberg spoke about the 1 percent bonus being paid on 9-year annuities and reminded members to check their policies to be sure the beneficiary information is correct.

Judy Rudloff and Shirley Gan-

ske volunteered to visit members in the Brenham Nursing Home in observance of Make a Difference Day. Prior to the meeting, a meal of sausage wraps, sauerkraut, pinto beans and desserts was served.

President Jeanette Preuss thanked Gerald Wehring, Randy Jacob, Janet Wehring, Shirley Ganske, Judy Rudloff and Betty Schramm for preparing the meal and tea.

– Reporter

Birthday celebrants at the October Brenham Lodge meeting were, from left, Shirley Moehlmann and Jeanette Preuss.

Square Dancers celebrate anniversary SAN ANTONIO – The Hermann Sons Square Dancers celebrated their 51st anniversary with a dance and party in November.

The celebration included round, line and square dancing with food and prizes for all to enjoy.

Other dance groups represented included Fun Dancers, A Club, Canyon Lake, SWACS, Association Officers, Camping Squares, Bells and Beaus and Round.

Pat and Ron Plouch had a full circle of round dancers.

George Rollo got several lines of dancers involved in a

variety mix.

Wayne Weston outdid himself inviting folks to fill six squares all stepping lively to his calling pace.

Thanks go to those who brought food and bid on the items in the silent auction.

Recently, when the substitute caller did not make it to the regularly scheduled dance night, George Rollo livened things up by getting most everyone up for a fun Virginia Reel lesson and some line dancing.

It was discovered that Oliver and Drea Kuester were visiting Texas from Hamburg, Ger-

many. “Ollie” is an experienced square dance caller so he filled in.

The dancers did have to pay a bit more attention as Ollie’s good English with a resonant German flavor added a few terms or expressions the dancers had to learn.

Drea was a great help as she joined right in the squares and helped everyone catch on so they better understood the calls.

Love and kindness is truly the international language of square dancing. Special thanks go to Ollie and Drea.

– Gene Jensen

Vineta Lodge members are pictured with the clothes and toys collected for the Children’s Shelter in San Antonio.

DaCosta Lodge to host holiday festivities DaCOSTA – DaCosta Lodge will host two events in December.

The Children’s Christmas Program is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. All members are welcome to come and watch the dancers perform.

Santa will be there to hear the

children’s wishes and cookies and punch will be served.

All DaCosta junior members will receive a gift from the lodge.

The lodge will also host a New Year’s Eve Dance featuring the band Liberty on Dec. 31. Doors open at 8 p.m. This is a BYOB

event with setups available for purchase at the hall. Guests can bring their own snacks and party favors but no coolers.

The next lodge meeting is set for Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. The new officers will be installed and events for the year planned.

– Sayra Martinka

Paul Vogt Christmas party set for Dec. 8 VAN RAUB - Paul Vogt Lodge will hold its annual Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 8. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Members are asked to bring a dessert and canned goods for donation to the Daily Bread Ministry.

The lodge’s 2019 graduating seniors are invited to attend to receive scholarship information.

Officers were elected at the Nov. 6 meeting. Everyone enjoyed snacks and drinks during the meeting. Pamela Poulk won the attendance prize.

Members are reminded of the

meeting changes for next year.

The lodge will meet the first Tuesday in February, March, May, September, October and November beginning at 7 p.m.

The Christmas party will be held on the second Saturday in December.

– Reporter

Celebrating a birthday in November were Vineta Lodge members, from left, Beth Byron, Frances Bara and Cecilia Padalecki.

Vineta ham dinner Dec. 6 SAN ANTONIO – Vineta Lodge will celebrate the holidays with a ham dinner on Dec 6. Members are asked to bring side dishes and/or a dessert.

Members also are asked to bring canned goods for donation to a food bank in the San Antonio area.

Thanks go to everyone who helped with games and served refreshments at St. Francis Nursing Home in observance of Make a Difference Day.

At the November meeting, the 2019 officers were elected and will be Debbie Jordan, president; Emily Roberts, vice president; Mary Ann Pintaric, Finance Committee member; and Gladys Garrett, trustee.

The split-the-pot winner was Jerome Kraus.

Several of those in attendance went home with the table decorations and meals.

– Reporter

Page 18 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Twin Sisters plans holiday celebration for Dec. 2

TWIN SISTERS – Twin Sisters Lodge will celebrate the holidays at the Dec. 2 meeting.

The event will feature a guest speaker.

The menu will include ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, gelatin salad and a dessert, all being provided by members. Karen Steiger will decorate. Games will be played in addition to the meal. Prizes will be awarded. The 2019 officers will be elected. The trustees are serving as the Nominating Committee.

At the Oct. 7 meeting, Travis Tomlinson was presented the 2018 Humanitarian Award.

The lodge participated in the

August Blanco County Parade.

The 28 volunteers included children on the float and volunteers walking with the float handing out flyers.

Members observed a moment of silence in memory of Francis Hartmann and Gilbert Weiss, former agent. Members shared stories about Francis who had retired in Blanco more than 40 years ago, moving there from San Antonio.

Members were asked to keep the Ethridge family in prayer as they face some medical issues.

President Phil Hartmann read a letter from Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe congratulating the lodge on meeting its

membership goal in 2018.

Celebrating birthdays in November were Nancy Weber and Stan Steiger.

Special thanks go to Ed Hartmann for cleaning up the grounds outside and grilling the sausage for the meal.

Door prize winners were Corrine Gass and Phil Hartmann.

He donated his prize to the Building Fund. It was decided to honor Francis Hartmann by putting his name in the drawing each time for a year. If his name is chosen, the money will go to the Building Fund.

Everyone enjoyed an Oktoberfest meal.

– Reporter

President Phil Hartmann, right, presents the Twin Sisters Lodge 2018 Humanitarian Award to Travis Tomlinson at the October meeting.

Dallas Lodge will gather for BBQ meal Dec. 16 DALLAS – Dallas Lodge members and their guests will gather at Babb Brothers BBQ in Dallas on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. for a Christmas luncheon.

Lodge members volunteered at the City Square food pantry near downtown Dallas in observance of Make a Difference Day. This non-profit provides healthy food and other resourc-

es for those in need.

Volunteering to help stock food that day were Eva Day, Eva Lloyd, Clint and Terri Holmes, Brigitte Robinson, Andy Schellenberg and guest Amanda Sherrill.

Members also approved a $50 donation to help City Square purchase food.

Celebrating membership an-

niversaries in October were Barbara Sewall from Dallas, a 60-year member; and 50-year members Eva Lloyd from Dallas, Matthew Garnet from Fort Worth and Angela Briske from Rowlett.

The Home Association has announced that it is moving the office back into the Hall where it was before. Now the office

will be more secure and closer to the business operation.

The Home Association continues to make improvements at the Hall. Bob Sullivan, Mark Martinek and Clint Holmes have donated many hours using their skills to make repairs.

The annual Oktoberfest celebration was held Oct. 6 at the Hall. The Home Association and

Maxwell presents Humanitarian Award MAXWELL – Maxwell Lodge will meet Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. at the Red Lobster in San Marcos.

At the Sunday, Nov. 4, meeting, the 2018 Humanitarian Award was presented to Buster and Mary Jane Cage.

The Cages have two sons and three grandchildren and are long-standing members of Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Every other month they cook lunch for 50 to 75 people for Senior Day at the church. This is just one of the missions they enjoy being a part of.

Every Christmas they help put together food baskets for several needy families in the Maxwell community.

Buster is a retired CPA and gives many volunteer hours to

Maxwell Lodge presented the 2018 Humanitarian Award to Buster and Mary Jane Cage at the November meeting. Pictured are, from left, Catherine Blackard, Mary Jane, their granddaughter Anna, Buster, daughter-in-law Theresa, their grandson and son Steven. the church. He has served as a member of the Guadalupe Valley Hospital Board of Managers and is a supporter of the Gua-

dalupe County Youth Show, the Marion Athletic Booster Club and various other educational organizations.

Mary Jane taught school for 41 years and is retired.

The Cages are supporters of the Animal Rescue Foundation and have taken rescue dogs into their home. They also volunteer at surrounding food banks.

Special guests at the meeting were Steven and Theresa Cage and their two children from Round Rock.

A thank-you note was read from the Home Office for the donation made to the Grief Support Camp in memory of Emma Jean Schulle.

Door prize winners were Mary Jane Cage and granddaughter Anna.

A meal of stew, cornbread, salad and dessert was served.

– C. Blackard

Columbia Lodge sponsored this event. The 103 members and guests enjoyed the German food, beer, music and dancing.

Thanks go to Clint and Terri Holmes for preparing some of the food and all of the others who made it a success. Oktoberfest beer steins are on sale at the Hall.

– Reporter

Paige Lodge Christmas lunch Dec. 9 PAIGE – Paige Lodge members are reminded to bring side dishes and desserts to the Christmas lunch on Sunday, Dec. 9. The meeting will follow the lunch.

Members also are reminded to bring a wrapped Christmas gift valued at up to $15 if they want to participate in the “rob your neighbor game.”

A potluck lunch is planned for the Jan. 13 meeting.

Congratulations are extended to Cornell and Ethel Kunkel who celebrated their 46th anniversary on Oct. 14.

– Sandy Botkin

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 19

Jourdanton Lodge presents Humanitarian Award JOURDANTON – Jourdanton Lodge recently presented the 2018 Humanitarian Award to Ray and Sue Samsel.

They have lived in Pleasanton for 24 years. Together they have six children, 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

After attending high school, Ray joined the Navy and served for four years as an electronics technician. After his military service, he worked at Kelly AFB and retired in 2000.

Sue also worked at Kelly AFB and spent most of her time in the contracting division. In 1997, she transferred to the Air Education Training Command at Randolph AFB. She retired in 2006.

Retirement provided the Samsels an opportunity to get involved in local community activities. Ray and Sue served at different times on the City’s Charter Review Committee. Ray also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and helped shape the city’s Master Plan.

In 2012, they became part

Ray and Sue Samsel, from left, are the recipients of the 2018 Humanitarian Award for Jourdanton Lodge. President Rusty Prasifka presented the award at the November meeting. of a group of concerned citizens wanting to get initiatives passed to allow citizens to decide the design of the community center/library project.

The group promoted the cause with signs, rallies, articles and ads and provided the financial support needed and got the community interested in the project. In May of 2012, an elec-

tion was held and the initiatives passed.

The Samsels then became active participants in a long-range planning committee with community and school collaboration that worked toward development of a bond package for the school district. In May, voters approved the bond package.

They were also part of a core

Vice President of Operations Samantha Schulmeier presents Lillian Wiede with her 50-year membership pin at the November meeting of Jourdanton Lodge. group that helped establish the Oak Forest Neighborhood Watch Group.

In 2017, Ray and Sue became part of a non-profit animal rescue group called Atascosa Animal Allies.

Sue is a member of the Atas-

cosa County Library Board and the Longhorn Museum Society Board and they actively support the Longhorn Museum.

They both serve on the Atascosa County Early Voting Ballot Board.

– Reporter

Laubach Lodge plans party for Dec. 9 At Red Barn Pecan Museum

SEGUIN – Laubach Lodge members will gather at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in the Pecan Museum at the Red Barn for their quarterly meeting and Christmas party. The lodge will provide the meat and members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert and their own drinks. Members are also asked to bring canned goods for donation to the Christian Cupboard.

The annual picnic was held Sept. 9 at the Pecan Museum at the Red Barn. Members enjoyed a meal of sloppy joes provided by the lodge.

Visiting from the Home Office were Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe and wife Cheryl. Tim presented a 70-year membership pin to Ralph Schleicher. Ralph shared interesting experiences of his life.

The lodge will not meet in January.

– Reporter

Niederwald Lodge to meet Dec. 11 Ralph Schleicher, left, received his 70-year membership pin from Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe during Laubach Lodge’s annual picnic. Ralph has been a member since Sept. 7, 1948.

Niederwald Lodge will meet Dec. 11. Members are encouraged to wear Christmas colors. Betty Moczygemba and Adeline Schubert, pictured above, were the door prize winners at the November meeting.

La Vernia to hold party Dec. 9

Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe and wife Cheryl, back, visit with members during Laubach Lodge’s annual picnic.

LA VERNIA – La Vernia Lodge will hold its Christmas party Sunday, Dec. 9, beginning at noon at the lodge hall. Mexican food will be served. Members are asked to make reservations by contacting Sharon Tanneberger at 830-7794641 or 210-827-0526.

The lodge’s planning meet-

ing and officer installation will be held Sunday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m. at the lodge hall. Members and guests are invited to come and share a pizza meal with the lodge’s new officers. Please RSVP to Sharon at one of the numbers listed above.

– Reporter

Page 20 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Boerne Lodge party to include catered meal, dance BOERNE – Boerne Lodge will hold its Christmas party Friday, Dec. 7, beginning at 6 p.m. at Kronkosky Place.

A catered meal and dancing will be provided by the Rainbow Senior Center. The lodge will not hold a noon meeting that day.

At the November meeting, Vice President of Finance Harry Werland presented the 2018 Humanitarian Award to Judy Beauford.

Judy has given countless hours of volunteer service to the Boerne community through the Hill Country Mission for Health, Mission Gardens.

Judy has a love for gardening and for teaching and has been able to channel this passion into helping others learn how to plant and grow vegetables on the grounds of Mission Gardens.

This year alone, the Mission Gardens yielded more than 1,000 pounds of fresh produce, which was donated to Hill Country Family Services for low-income residents.

Judy also volunteers with her church and with the Lutheran World Relief Quilts Project. Each

Judy Beauford, center, receives the 2018 Humanitarian Award for Boerne Lodge from Vice President of Finance Harry Werland, left, and lodge president Barbara D’Spain.

Charles Wetherbee was the guest speaker at the November meeting of Boerne Lodge. He spoke about the origin and purpose of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

year, Lutherans across the United States assemble and donate mission quilts to assist people living in poverty, in time of emergencies and in disaster areas.

Jeanette Young, Betsy Sultenfuss and Mary Uecker have reached their 60-year membership milestone. They could not attend the meeting so their pins will be mailed.

Charles Wetherbee from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 688 was

comed and include adult Lucille Schriewer and juniors Bennett Rice and Olivia Domine.

A thank you card was read from the Angels All Around You Ministry for donations they received in observance of Make A Difference Day. Members agreed to make monetary donations to the Hill Country Flood Relief Fund, The Kendall County Junior Livestock Show and to the Kendall Mason-

the guest speaker and talked about how to the VFW was established to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, to serve veterans, the military and their communities and advocate on behalf of all veterans. The VFW and its auxiliary are dedicated to veteran services, legislative advocacy and military and community service programs.

Three new members were wel-

ic Lodge.

Happy Birthday wishes were extended to Bill Sultenfuss who celebrates in November.

Jack Faecher was the door prize winner.

The first meeting of the new year will be held on Friday, Jan. 4, at 12 noon at Kronkosky Place.

The 2018 officers have agreed to serve another year. They will be installed that day.

– Barbara D’Spain

Pershing collecting items for St. PJ’s Children’s Home SAN ANTONIO – Pershing Lodge will celebrate Christmas on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Home Association Ballroom. A traditional ham dinner will be catered and the lodge will provide a cake. Games will follow the meeting.

The lodge will be collecting items for donation to St. PJ’s Children’s Home. Items needed for the children include anything from pajamas to arts and crafts to headphones to blow dryers. Members are asked to bring these items to the December meeting. Monetary donations will also be accepted.

At the November meeting, Chaplain Tony Valek reported on the passing of Lonnie L. Brigham, Terry Edward Chiodo, Celestine Hoffmann, Andrew Janowski, Karl Gary Mittwede, Winne Lee Powell and Jeanelle Tabor.

William Michael Shaw was

Celebrating a November wedding anniversary at the Pershing Lodge meeting were, from left, Dorothy and Eddie (not pictured) Rechner, 56 years; and Wayne and Janilla Kilborn, 25years. welcomed as a new member.

Jacob Ryan Pryor has transferred out of the lodge.

The 2019 elected officers will include President Beth Warne, Vice President Alice Golla and Financial Trustee Janilla Kilborn.

Kenneth Wallace won the $25 attendance prize and Herbie Schramm won the split-thepot drawing.

Eleven names were drawn for the $70 Progressive Pot. Jerry Walter Mazzola, Connie N. Stokes, Gladys O. Harris,

Celebrating November birthdays at the Pershing Lodge meeting were, back, from left, Carrie Burnett, Anita Eggert, Kathy Gerhard, front, from left, Janilla Kilborn and Barbara Pass. Kathy, Carrie and Janilla won the birthday prize money.

Katharyn Anne Spaeth, Mary Beth Rogers, Patrick Michael Clark, Krystal Knight Porter, Douglas M. Ferguson, Dona

Maria Mays, Stephen V. Sergent and Elizabeth S. Sanders were not present to win.

– Dorothy Pawlik

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 21

San Marcos party at Zorn Bowling Club on Dec. 9 SAN MARCOS – The San Marcos Lodge Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Zorn Bowling Club located on Hwy. 123, towards Seguin. The party will begin at 2 p.m. with Santa arriving later. A turkey dinner will be served at 5 p.m.

An adult gift exchange will be held. Gifts should cost about $8. Label the gift for a man or woman and indicate who gave the gift. Parents are asked to bring a gift for Santa to present to their child. Games will be available during the afternoon.

Members are asked to bring cookies for desserts. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted for the San Marcos Food Bank.

Adult members will be asked to pay $5 towards the meal cost as a reservation fee; nonmembers will pay a $10 per meal reservation fee. A meal for a child under age 12 will cost $2.50. The lodge will pick up the balance of the meal cost.

Reservations need to be made no later than Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. Checks should be mailed to Janice Kuhen, P.O. Box 683,

Veterans honored at the November meeting of San Marcos Lodge were, from left, Ken Cargil, Marshal McQuaig, Billy Preuss and Bruce Moreau.

Howard Magin and Florence McQuaig celebrated their November birthdays at the San Marcos Lodge meeting.

San Marcos, 78667.

A duties list was passed around at the November meeting. Those on the decorating committee are asked to be there at 1:30 p.m.

Veterans were honored at the November meeting. Those in attendance were Bruce Moreau, Ken Cargil, Marshall McQuaig and Billy Preuss.

The Cheer Committee reported sending a get-well card to Jerry Krackau. Sympathy cards

Agnes Dreibrodt, Lillian Cargil, Shirley Faske and Janice Kuhen.

The same committee presented the 2019 slate of officers.

Elected by acclamation were President Agnes Dreibrodt, Vice President Peggy Meiners and Financial Trustee Janet Magin.

President Dreibrodt announced the appointed officers for 2019 will be Membership Coordinator, Lillian Cargil; Community Coordinators, Peg-

were sent to Floyd and Jamie Braune following the loss of their granddaughter and Benhard and Shirley Faske following the loss of his sister.

President Agnes Dreibrodt thanked everyone who contributed to the Make a Difference Day project by making donations to the San Marcos Food Bank Thanksgiving Fund.

The 2019 calendar was approved as presented by the committee of Peggy Meiners,

gy Meiners and Bruce Moreau, Youth Coordinators, Jennifer Lewis and Laura Gayle Ramirez and Communications Coordinators, Shirley and Benhard Faske.

Serving on the Cheer Committee will be Leola Gourley and Mary Lou Preuss. If you are aware of anyone who is ill or has had a death in the family or any new additions to the family, contact President Agnes Dreibrodt at 830-379-3870.

Irene Bierstedt will serve as the historian.

Correspondence was read from the Home Office thanking the lodge for its donation to the Retirement Home Christmas Fund.

President Dreibrodt thanked Lillian and Ken Cargil and Janet and Howard Magin for serving as hosts for the meal that included tamales.

Happy Anniversary wishes were extended to Freddie and Agnes Dreibrodt on their 57 years of marriage.

Ken Cargil and Marshall McQuaig won the monthly attendance awards.

– Reporter

Schulenburg to hold Christmas party Dec. 8 SCHULENBURG – Schulenburg Lodge will hold its annual Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Wolters Park. Refreshments and a catered meal will be provided.

Members are asked to bring a $10 gift for the prize drawing.

The Humanitarian Award will be presented. A Home Office representative will be there to present membership pins.

Anyone wanting to help decorate is asked to be there at 9:30 a.m.

Agent Mary K. Seifert reported that the Christmas dance recital will be held Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Civic Center at 3 p.m. with only one dance session.

Welcomed as new members at the November meeting were Wesley Blum Jr. and Mary Jane Blum. They were previously members of Hallettsville Lodge.

Bill and Delores Michalke made a donation to the lodge’s scholarship fund in memory of Patricia Koehn.

A thank you note was read from Hailey Machac, one of the lodge’s scholarship recipients.

Susan Kohleffel won the gift card from Arlan’s and Amber Kohleffel won the koozie.

There was discussion on next year’s schedule and meals. There will be 11 meetings with some

meals catered, some purchased from restaurants and other items will be provided by members. All members are welcome to participate in meetings and fellowship.

The lodge meets regularly on the second Wednesday of each month except December at the Schulenburg Community Center beginning with refreshments at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and the meeting follow at 7 p.m.

– Junette Rodecap

Paul and Kitty Dittrich celebrated their wedding anniversary in November. They are members of Schulenburg Lodge.

Hochheim-Prairie dancers will entertain at Christmas party YOAKUM – Hochheim-Prairie Lodge will celebrate Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m. at Turner Hall. The dance students will perform, Santa will stop by and refreshments will be served.

The lodge observed Make a Difference Day on Sunday, Oct. 28, by hosting a games party for the

residents at the Stevens Nursing Home. Those taking part were Roberta and Tommy Wenzel, Charlie and Carolyn Hoepfl, Carri, Ashlyn, Abeigh and Gage Dicke, Christy and Mackenzie Deel and Janet Zabransky. The residents were given Halloween treat bags.

Everyone had a great time in-

cluding the members.

At the November meeting, the 2019 officers were elected. They will be president, Janet Zabransky; vice president, Roberta Wenzel; corresponding-financial secretary, Carolyn Hoepfl; treasurer, Wilburn Pargmann; and financial trustees Charlie Hoepfl, Sherri

Spaeth, Debbie Zinke and Ann Machalec.

Roberta Wenzel will serve as Membership Coordinator and Carolyn Hoepfl as Community Coordinator.

Roberta reported sending a get-well card to E.J. Blaschke.

Celebrating November birth-

days were Wilburn Pargmann, Joe Machalec and Bob Jungman.

Celebrating November anniversaries were Wilburn and Mary Pargmann and Tommy and Roberta Wenzel.

Attendance prize winners were Debbie Zinke and Al Janak.

– Reporter

Page 22 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Fort Worth donates to service dog organization FORT WORTH – Giving back to our communities is something Hermann Sons Life is proud to do. And not just for Make A Difference Day and Join Hands Day, but every day. A member volunteering or just helping out your neighbor is giving back.

This year in observance of Make A Difference Day, Fort Worth Lodge donated to PatriotPaws service dogs. This organization trains service dogs and donates them to veterans in need. Last year they put on a demonstration that was so inspiring members choose this organization again. And members were excited to be able to talk about Hermann Sons Life and what it is all about, Members also made a dona-

tion to the Hermann Sons Life Grief Support Camp. That is another great way our organization gives back. Thanks go to everyone who on a daily basis gives of themselves to help someone in need.

Congratulations are extended to Kyle Lewis and Harold Lewis who reached their 50-year membership milestone in November North Central Texas USBC held its Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet on Oct. 12. Fort Worth Lodge member Kecia Andries won the Ladies High Series Award for the year. Kecia had games of 286, 277 and 258 for an 821 series. This was the highest series bowled by a lady in this area.

The lodge has not yet met

its membership goal for 2018.

There is still time to recommend a member and help the lodge meet the goal. Plus, by recommending a member your name goes into a drawing for a $100 gift card. So if you know of anyone who needs life insurance, contact Agent Sandra Jones or the Home Office.

Youth Coordinator Ronnie Jones and Assistant Youth Coordinator Robert Balmos are asking for suggestions as to what the lodge should offer campers in 2019. If you have any suggestions, contact Ronnie Jones.

The lodge’s next meeting will be held Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at Miranda’s in Burleson. Following the meeting, the lodge will furnish dinner. The 2019 officers

will be elected. If you would like to serve as a lodge officer, come to the meeting or contact President Shannon Jones. The lodge is always looking for new faces and new ideas.

Contact Sandra Jones if you know of a family that needs help with Christmas. The lodge does select angels from an angel tree, but if someone in the lodge is in need of help, the officers would like to help them as well. Contact Sandra Jones at sandraj1966@ yahoo.com.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Maggie Minter, Stephen Nowak, Kenadee LeBlanc, Jason Clanton, Ty Gibson, Anita Piper, Thomas Valenta, Shell Reyes, Nancy Kelly and Amanda Ayers.

– Reporter

Kecia Andries of Fort Worth Lodge won the Ladies High Series Award at the North Central Texas USBC Awards Banquet.

Fredericksburg plans holiday meal FREDERICKSBURG – Fredericksburg Lodge will meet Tuesday, Dec. 4. The lodge will host a holiday meal.

The lodge will pay the cost of the meal for members. Guests are asked to pay $15 for their meal. Donations for New Horizons will be collected.

For more information contact Hans Enderlin at 830-895-1343 or Windy Duecker at 830-9972983.

The 2019 officers were elected at the Nov. 6 meeting.

Members brought pet food donations.

Members approved an increase in the cost to rent the

lodge hall. Effective Jan. 1, the cost to rent the building will go from $250 to $350. The refundable deposit will go from $60 to $100. The increase will be used to defray the cost of needed repairs and utilities. The increase will not apply to the 19 rental agreements already in place for 2019.

Margaret Priess reported sending cards to Dolores Staudt, Rose Brandenberger, Dale Pape and the family of Jacob Schandua.

Winners of the door prizes were Donna Henke and Anthony Rode.

– Reporter

Hondo, Hondo Victory lodges hold joint picnic

Celebrating November birthdays at the Fredericksburg Lodge meeting were Mildred Henke, left, and Irene Grosenbacher.

Hondo Lodge and Hondo Victory Lodge honored their 2018 pin recipients at the annual picnic held in September. Pictured are, from left, Elroy Beck, a member since Feb. 17, 1948; Paul Lutz, a member since Sept. 2, 1958; Henry Nietenhoefer, a member since June 8, 1948; Roger Erxleben, a member since Oct. 1, 1948; Vice President of Operations Samantha Schulmeier; Elton Lutz, a member since Aug. 5, 1958; and Grace Schmidt, a member since Feb. 13, 1943.

Kerrville will celebrate Christmas Dec. 7 KERRVILLE – Kerrville Lodge will celebrate Christmas on Friday, Dec. 7, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Buzzie’s Bar-B-Q, 213 Schreiner St., Kerrville. Door prizes will be awarded and the barbecue is always good.

The 2019 officers will be elected. Members are reminded that this is an opportunity to select the leaders for next year. Invitations have been mailed to all members.

Members are mourning the passing of Mark Schmerbeck

and Ken Langley.

The tentative meeting schedule for 2019 has been set and includes meetings on Feb. 6, April 3, June 5, Aug. 7 and Oct. 2 and the Christmas party on Dec. 6.

All meetings will be held in the boardroom at Wells Fargo Bank, 301 Junction Highway, Kerrville, unless otherwise noted on the meeting card.

In an effort to save money, the lodge is considering changing the way it sends reminder cards

in 2019. One card would be sent prior to the February meeting that would list the meeting dates for the entire year. Members would then need to mark the dates on their calendar or store the information in their phone. This would save the lodge around $300. A separate invitation would be sent for the Christmas party.

Contact Juanice Grona at 830792-7827 if you have an opinion about the meeting cards.

– Juanice Grona

Larry Heiligman, a member of Hondo Lodge, received his 50-year membership pin this year. He is pictured with Vice President of Operations Samantha Schulmeier. Larry has been a member since Sept. 18, 1968.

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 23

Lockhart recognizes pin recipients in November LOCKHART – Lockhart Lodge recognized its 2018 pin recipients at the Nov. 4 meeting. Vice President of Member Benefits Cecily Kelly and husband John attended.

Richard (Cotton) Homann received his 60-year pin. Dickie Rutherford accepted son Randy Rutherford’s 60-year pin. A 60year pin was mailed to John Guess.

A 75-year pin was taken to Rose Marie Turner in Seguin.

Fifty-year pins were mailed to Floyd Davis III, Kristi Visage, Patti Rutherford, Marla Sandler Stewart, Rhonda Wilhelm, Lori Sandler, and Billie Jo Roberts.

Rudy Schroeder was recognized as the only veteran in attendance.

The Humanitarian Award recipient was nominated. It will be presented at the Christmas party scheduled for Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. at a location to be determined. A committee to purchase gifts was appointed.

A note from the Home Office was read thanking the lodge for its donation to the Retirement Home Christmas Fund.

The 2019 officers were elected and will be president, Nicky Duewall; vice president, Ann Schroeder; corresponding secretary, Debbie Pfefferkorn; financial secretary/treasurer, Ray Pfefferkorn; and financial trustees, Janet Schaefer, Darrell Hess and Lil Pfefferkorn. The appointed officers will be Membership Coordinator Dickie Rutherford, Communications Coordinator Jonelle Frerich, Youth Coordinator Carol Schuelke and Community Coordinator Nancy Hess.

Nancy Hess reported that in observance of Make a Difference

Rose Marie Turner, seated, received her 75-year membership pin from a trio of her fellow Lockhart Lodge members. They are, from left, Ann Schroeder, Nancy Hess and Lil Pfefferkorn.

Vice President of Member Benefits Cecily Kelly presents Cotton Homann with his 60-year membership pin at the November Lockhart Lodge meeting. Cotton has been a member since Oct. 16, 1958.

Dickie Rutherford, left, and Ann Schroeder were the birthday girls in attendance at the Lockhart Lodge meeting in November. Not pictured is Margie Bozarth who celebrated her 90th birthday on Nov. 16.

Day, her committee filled Halloween treat bags with assorted snacks and donated them to the youth at First United Methodist Church who in turn presented the

bags to the Golden Age Home residents on Oct. 28. Nancy Hess, McKenzie Hess and Lil Pfefferkorn filled the bags.

– Reporter

Door prize winners at the November meeting of Lockhart Lodge were, from left, John Kelly, Cecily Kelly and Janice Kuhen.

Kirby to collect gifts for Boysville during party Dec. 2 KIRBY – Kirby Lodge will hold its Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 2. Members are reminded to bring their unwrapped donations for Boysville. Donations can be anything for children ranging in age from newborn to 21.

The social will start at 1 p.m. followed by a catered meal of pork steaks, green beans and baked potatoes with all the fix-

ings. The Kirby School of Dance students will perform at 3 p.m.

Games will be played. Reservations are required for this event.

The Kirby School of Dance will hold its family Christmas celebration on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kirby Lodge Hall. The dancers and their family members are invited to attend. Dancers can bring their Boysville donations to this performance.

The first meeting of the new year will be held Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. The lodge will provide the meat. Members are asked to bring side dishes and/or desserts. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Members enjoyed chicken and turkey provided by the lodge and lots of side dishes and desserts at the Nov. 5 meeting.

Junior member Cameron Rie-

del was at the meeting. Cameron is the assistant dance teacher for the Kirby School of Dance. She plans to apply for the lodge’s scholarship this year.

The lodge’s 2019 officers were elected.

Welcomed as a new member was Olivia Vasquez.

Celebrating an October birthday was Linda Gloor.

Split-the-pot winners were

Judy Schulmeier, Keary Lambrecht, Sherlyn Gleitz, Carolina McQuatters and Linda Gloor.

The $30 attendance prize winner was James Lowak Make plans now to attend the January meeting and keep a look out for the 2019 schedule so you don’t miss out on all the fun things Kirby Lodge has planned.

– Angela Netherton

Page 24 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Cibolo elects 2019 officers at November meeting CIBOLO – Cibolo Lodge held its Nov. 1 meeting at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Universal City.

Ham was served along with the side dishes and desserts provided by members. The pinto beans were voted the best side dish followed by the deviled eggs and the dessert voted as number one was the chocolate snowflake (crinkle) cookies followed by the strudel.

Cliff and Kasey Shepherd were the chefs of the day with their beans and Tracy Campos was the cookie queen that night.

The 2019 officers were elected and will include president, John Gray; vice president, Sherry Rakowitz; financial secretary/treasurer, Joy Brown; recording secretary, Tracy Campos; trustee, Sheri Ann Rakowitz; and Finance Committee member, Gail Gray. The appointed officers will be Membership Coordinator, Katherine Campos; guide, Mary Ann Gray; Youth Coordinator, Dawn Bierstedt; and Community Coordinator, Kasey Shepherd Attendance award winners were John Gray and Gail Gray.

The junior winner was Cheyenne Kuhlman. Adysin Paige Fuentes’ name was drawn for the special prize but she was not present so the prize amount grows for next time.

Make a Difference Day was observed Friday, Oct. 26, at TruCare Living Centers in Selma.

Games were played and everyone including the staff and residents had a great time.

Thanks go to Kasey Shepherd and Gail Gray for putting the gift bags together for the game prizes.

– Reporter

Burton holds annual appreciation dinner BURTON – Burton Lodge met Nov. 1 for the annual appreciation dinner.

John Anderson was named Humanitarian of the Year for his service as cook on Senior Day. John cooked meals every Friday for eight years in Burton.

Special Representative Gary Falkenberg and lodge President

Dale Schwartz presented Theresa Garlin and Karen Kieke with their 50-year membership pins.

Thirty members enjoyed a meal and fellowship at JWs Steakhouse.

The next meeting is set for Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall.

– Reporter

Karen Kieke receives her 50-year membership pin from Special Representative Gary Falkenberg, left, and Burton Lodge President Dale Schwartz.

Alvin Schulz and Dena Warneke celebrated their November birthdays at the Cibolo Lodge meeting.

Stern holiday party Dec. 2 SEGUIN – Members are asked to mark their calendars for the Stern Lodge Christmas party scheduled for Dec 2 at the American Legion Hall in Seguin. A catered meal will be served. Activities and gifts for the children will be provided.

Members enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast of turkey and dressing with all the trimmings on Sunday, Nov. 4.

President Rick May read a thank-you card from the Christian Cupboard for the $400 donation.

Attendance-prize winners were Paisley Engelke, Tracy Schuehle and Rick May. – Debbie Engelke

Converse to hold party on Dec. 9

Burton Lodge President Dale Schwartz, left, presents John Anderson with the lodge’s Humanitarian Award at the annual appreciation dinner held in November.

Theresa Garlin receives her 50-year membership pin from Special Representative Gary Falkenberg, left, and Burton Lodge President Dale Schwartz.

CONVERSE – Converse Lodge will hold its Christmas party Sunday, Dec. 9, at the GRASP Building in Converse.

The party begins at 2:30 p.m.

The lodge will provide the meal and members are asked to bring desserts.

Contact Maxine Sullivan at 210-723-8533 if you plan to attend.

– Reporter

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 25

Corpus Christi to hold memorial service in January CORPUS CHRISTI – Corpus Christi Lodge will hold its Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Southern Charm beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The November business meeting included the election of officers for 2019. They are president, Frank Brandon; vice president, Cheryl Garcia; financial secretary, Diana Rosas; recording secretary, Brittny Mcpheeters; trustees, Dewayne Hunt, Kerry Ginn and Megan Hunt; and Finance Committee members, Betty Ballard, Margaret Gernandt and Pearl Hunt.

The officers will be installed at the January meeting, which will also include a memorial service.

New members welcomed were juniors Abigail Rose Alexander, Ariella Paige Murphrey-McCoy, Frances Marvina Murphrey, Jasmine Marie Murphrey-McCoy, Julissa Sabrina Leigh Ochoa, Isabell Ann Marie Nellie Cansino, Adalynn Catalina Hernandez, Nikella Raelyn Esquivel, Ariella Reyna Esquivel, Ellissa Blake Reagan, Krista Kayli Raegan, Evie Lynn Wilhelm and April Nichole Elizondo.

– Reporter

The 50/50 and door prize winners at the November Corpus Christi Lodge meeting were, from left, Margaret Gernandt, Kiersten Hunt, Betty Ballard and Paul Hood.

Celebrating birthdays at Corpus Christi Lodge were Kamberlie Bainbridge who is now 1 and Kiersten Hunt who is now 25.

McGregor will present Humanitarian Award Dec. 5 McGREGOR – McGregor Lodge will meet Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Charlie Griffith Center at McGregor Housing. Food and gifts will be provided. The 2018 Humanitarian Award recipient will be introduced.

The November meeting was held at The Coffee Shop.

President Doris Mooney thanked everyone who helped with the Make a Difference Day project at Westview Manor.

Charles McAnelly called the

games. Leona Hendrickson, Teresa Sneed, Betty Johnson, Karen Rice, Janet Schmalriede, El Nora Lawton and Doris Mooney made and served the cookies.

Sympathy is extended to the Henry Lange Jr. family on his passing on Oct. 31. Henry has many relatives who are members of McGregor Lodge.

Memorial donations have been made to the McGregor Fire Department in memory

of Hilda Witt, Jerry Thane and Henry Lange.

A donation was made to the Retirement Home Christmas Fund.

Congratulations are extended to three members who have reached milestones. Alan Kelley is now a 50-year member.

He joined on Oct. 14, 1968.

Janet Schmalriede became a 60-year member on Oct. 5 and Patrick McAnelly became a 60year member on Oct. 6.

New Braunfels plans catered meal NEW BRAUNFELS – New Braunfels Lodge members will enjoy a catered meal at the Dec. 2 meeting. Members are reminded to RSVP for the meal.

Two new junior members were welcomed at the Nov. 4 meeting.

A resolution of respect was read and a moment of silence was observed in memory of Joe Smith and Helga Krause. A donation will be made to the Retirement Home Scholarship Fund in their memory.

Agents Kathryn Green and Shirley Huebinger were present.

Shirley gave a report on the Continuing Education Workshop she had attended in Comfort in October.

Violet Tanneberger said the Parks and Recreation group had honored Sharon Suchy with a certificate of recognition for

her continued efforts to place yellow ribbons on the trees on Main Plaza.

Members voted to donate $100 to “Hugs From Home.”

The current officers were reelected to serve for another term in 2019.

Attendance prizes went to Karen Harborth, Al Stremmel, Kathryn Green, Tommy Daum, Lenora Mueller, Debbie Vetter, Sandra Guenther, Jerome Vetter, Ethan Colbert, Sharon Suchy and Michael and Shirley Huebinger. Junior member going home with prizes were Melissa and Macy Green and Ruby and Cora Hurse.

President Tommy Daum donated two Wurstfest tickets and they were won by James and Leola Stolte.

A fish supper, hosted by Jerome and Virginia Vetter, was

Delbert and Violet Tanneberger celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in November. They are members of New Braunfels Lodge. served after games and refreshments.

– Reporter

The 2019 officers were elected and will be President Doris Mooney, Vice President Regenia Arseneaux, Financial Secretary/ Treasurer Leona Hendrickson, Trustees Milton Schmalriede, Al Wolf and Charles McAnelly and Finance Committee members Janet Schmalriede, Yvonne Schmalriede and John Sneed.

Appointed officers include Charles McAnelly, Betty Johnson and El Nora Lawton. The Cheerperson will be Hermine

Wolf, the reporter will be Doris Mooney and the historian will be Leona Hendrickson.

Charles McAnelly and Al Wolf were the birthday boys in attendance. Al was celebrating his 90th.

Anniversary bells ring 61 times for Milton and Yvonne Schmalriede.

Door prize winners were El Nora Lawton and Janet Schmalriede.

– Reporter

Round Top holds donation drive for local organization ROUND TOP – Round Top Lodge wrapped up its donation drive for the local CASA organization at the October meeting.

There was a table full of items including gift cards that had been donated.

Kristi Glasper spoke about the program. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. These volunteers serve as the eyes and ears for the court and are the voice for children in the courtroom. They keep abused and neglected children safe while they reach a safe, permanent home. They get to know the child and everyone involved in the child’s life to advocate for the child’s best interests while in the foster care system.

This organization is serving

more than 350 children per year in the area represented by Kristi. At present they have 189 cases.

Kristi expressed her appreciation for all the items.

Linda Mattocks reported on the continuing education workshop for agents she had attended in Comfort.

“Happy Birthday” was sung to Keelyn Johnson.

Attendance prizes were won

by Barton Garlin, Betty Porter, Jocie Braun, Lila Garlin and Jeanette Schoenst.

Door prizes were won by Kristi Glasper, Keelyn Johnson, Ted Stardig, Floyd Braun, Jim Mattocks, Bob Porter, Margie Stardig, Pam and Red Schoenst and Linda Mattocks.

– Reporter

Page 26 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Columbia plans annual holiday party

Stockdale Lodge donates toys, funds Stockdale Lodge met Nov. 13 at Baldy’s American Diner in La Vernia. After a short meeting, everyone enjoyed dinner and a chance to visit. Pictured are the toys members brought that will be donated to the Sheriff Santa project. Santa will distribute the gifts on Dec. 1 at the Stockdale Christmas onq Main Street. Members pictured are, from left, Chad Wiatrek and grandson Trenton Dotson, L.H. West, Ronald and Barbara Wiatrek, Tricia Kozielski, Maureen West, Larry Kozielski, Eileen Schneider, Kim and Dustin Kim Krueger and Alton Schneider.

DALLAS – Columbia Lodge will hold its annual Christmas dinner after the Dec. 2 meeting that begins at 3 p.m. at the Hall.

Steak and potatoes are on the menu plus whatever side dishes and desserts the members bring.

The annual Christmas party will be held Dec. 15. Volunteers are needed to help decorate the Hall and help with the party.

Is anybody not getting the emailed Columbia Lodge news-

letter? There is a monthly newsletter sent to members. If you are not receiving it, contact the Hall or a lodge officer to get yourself on the list.

Officer elections were held at the November meeting. Congratulations to those who have served and those who were chosen to serve next year.

Thanks also go to those who helped with the annual Thanksgiving meal. There were more than 40 members in attendance.

The lodge is currently sponsoring a canned food drive.

Non-perishable food is being accepted at the Hall.

The lodge is also raising money for bicycles for the annual south Dallas toy give away at the R.L. Griffins Blues Palace a few days before Christmas. Donations of cash, bicycles or toys will go a long way to making some child happy for the holidays.

– Dave Moynihan

Plum will present award during party PLUM – Plum Lodge will hold its Christmas party Saturday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. at the Prairie Valley Schoolhouse in Prairie Valley. The catered meal will be shared at 7 p.m.

Activities will include the presentation of the Humanitarian Award, playing games and a drawing for door prizes. There have been rumors that Santa may stop by.

The lodge provided the meal

for the October meeting. It included fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and cole slaw.

Members provided the desserts.

The current officers were reelected by acclamation and will serve again in 2019.

Linda Poncik will serve as Membership Coordinator. She replaces Genelda Stahmer who decided to step down after 10 plus years of service.

The lodge’s door prize winners were Verlene Hobratschk, Wilbert Hoffmann, Linda Poncik and Gloria Raschke.

Since this meeting, members were saddened to learn of the passing of two faithful members. Weldon Meinen, age 87, passed away on Oct. 31. A few days later Henry Reiss, age 90, passed away. Both will be missed.

– Verlene R. Hobratschk

Siemering will hold annual barge ride Stockdale Lodge President Ronald Wiatrek and lodge members present a donation to Maureen West, an officer of the Stockdale Garden Club. The money will be used for the Christmas Senior Citizen Luncheon on Dec. 19.

Helotes party set for Dec. 11 HELOTES – Helotes Lodge will celebrate Christmas at the Dec. 11 meeting. Members are asked to be at Grady’s Bar-B-Q at 7400 Bandera Rd. by 6:30 p.m. to order their meal. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. The lodge will pay the cost of the meal for members.

Call or text Letty Fragoso at 210-218-9423 or Rebecca Henley at 210-723-8939 if you plan

to attend.

The 2019 officers will be elected.

Make plans to ring in the New Year at Braun Hall. Dance the New Year in with Bimbo and Borderline. Tickets are $20 pre-sale or $25 at the door. Call Braun Hall at 210-688-9241 to order tickets.

– Reporter

Coupland will meet Dec. 2 COUPLAND – Coupland Lodge will meet Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. at the Coupland Fire Hall.

Everyone is asked to bring a gift/prize for the games.

Refreshments will be fur-

nished.

All members are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact President Lena Ging at 512-468-0072.

– Reporter

SAN ANTONIO – Siemering Lodge members and their guests will celebrate Christmas with the traditional barge ride on the San Antonio River. While the barge ride tickets have all been sold, members and their guests can still come to the party that will be held afterwards. The date is Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the San Antonio Home Association Building.

The lodge will provide tamales and chili with members asked to bring chips, side dishes and desserts.

Members planning to attend are asked to bring items for donation to the Christmas Bash sponsored by the American G.I.

Forum Center for Homeless Veterans. The veterans need packages of men’s new white socks, packages of new underwear and gently used clothing.

The 2019 officers were elected at the November meeting.

They will be President Donald O’Conner, Vice President Sally Hertzberg, Financial Secretary Paul Hess, Corresponding Secretary Sharon Fite, Trustee Melrose Bendele, Trustee Ana Vasquez, Trustee Mark Lee and Finance Committee members Lloyd Markell and Ron Bara. The chaplain will be Katherine Hess and Augusta Fite will serve as Communications Coordinator.

Frances Bara celebrated her November birthday at the Siemering Lodge meeting.

A Thanksgiving potluck dinner was served.

– Reporter

Houston to meet at Logan’s Roadhouse Dec. 8 HOUSTON – Houston Lodge will meet Saturday, Dec 8, at 4 p.m. at Logan’s Roadhouse, 12950 Northwest Freeway.

Members planning to attend are asked to call Secretary Catherine Manchack at 832443-0469 no later than Dec. 1.

A representative from the Home Office will present membership pins.

Fifty-year pin recipients are welcome to bring their pin with them so it can be formally presented.

The October meeting was

held at Tia Maria’s.

Members were scheduled to volunteer at the Houston Food Bank on Sunday, Nov. 11, in observance of Make a Difference Day. – Reporter

Agents Directory (alphabetized by area)

December 2018 – Hermann Sons Life – Page 27

Adkins Roxy Pruski 210-218-6204

Comfort Norma Bruns, FIC 830-995-3980

George West Tracy Caron 361-449-0348

La Grange Linda Mattocks 512-736-9988

Austin Shirley Kuhen Faske 512-789-3975

Corpus Christi Becki Carley 361-550-9358

Georgetown Brad Klein, FIC 512-497-0678

Bandera Stephanie Brown 210-621-3891

Pearl Hunt 361-960-0276

Giddings Loretta Chilek, FIC 979-542-2806

La Vernia Sharon Tanneberger, FIC 210-827-0526

Bastrop William Hinkston 512-284-1684

Troylyn SisnerosGonzalez 361-232-7413

Marlin Tanneberger, FIC 210-827-7229

Gonzales Bobbie Polasek 830-672-6317

Lubbock April Behnke 806-797-3585

Graham/Wichita Falls David Wolf 940-550-5202

Marion Lorene Bielke, FIC 830-420-2380

Bellville Robert Herridge 979-865-3222

Cuero Laura Tiffin Wayne Tiffin 361-275-8421

Bernardo/Columbus Robin Maertz 979-732-1687

Dallas Helen Tyson Brown 214-796-0668

Hondo Richard Muennink 210-827-0053

Marshall Donald Robinette 903-690-3193

Terrel Maertz 979-732-1727

Del Rio Pat Fritz, FIC 432-292-4483

Stacy Saathoff 830-444-9160

Maxwell Charles Croley 512-357-6638

Boerne/San Antonio Pamela Poulk 210-753-2626 Boerne Lisa Rozacky 210-838-3306 Marilyn Vogt, FICF 210-630-9874 Caldwell Donnie Blinka 979-596-1309 Canyon Lake Sandra Duncan 830-905-3233 Castroville Glenford Boehme, FIC 210-219-9792 Cibolo/Schertz Tracy Campos 210-860-6675 Ashley Pfeil 830-534-2571 Judith Schulmeier, FIC 210-667-1938

Devine Cynthia Sultenfuss 210-219-6409 Edna/Jackson County Sam Matlock 361-782-3206 El Campo Dennis Wigginton 832-278-9636 Floresville/Poth Beth Cutsinger 210-325-6667 Floresville Lynn Wiede 830-393-4660 Fort Worth Sandra Jones, FIC 817-295-2666

Houston Al Stryk, FICF, LUTCF 281-485-4095 Gerald Ziemnicki 713-622-9001 Jourdanton Valerie M. Vick 210-748-5598

Shirley Huebinger 830-822-1942

Russell Swize 830-780-4053

Nixon-Smiley Diana P. Moreno 830-379-2244

La Coste Elaine “Lainey” Franklin 210-789-1649

Needville /Rosenberg Chris Stoeltje 979-559-6127

San Antonio Philip A. Abell 210-771-1213

Laura Ann Timmermann 830-556-7527

Dennis Henke 830-997-5290

Port Lavaca Nancy Annette Walraven 361-552-9403

Kathryn Green 830-463-9455

Karnes City Abigail Fenner 830-534-6982

Kirby Angela Netherton 210-831-1293

Special Representatives: Dan Boenig - 210-705-1815 danb@hermannsonslife.org Gary Falkenberg, FICF - 713-466-6069 • 713-899-4138 gfalken908@aol.com Eulla May Krueger - 210-863-0546 • 830-985-3643 eullak@hermannsonslife.org Teresa Saathoff - 210-276-0361 • 210-422-6996 teresaasaathoff@gmail.com

Round Top/Rutersville Linda Mattocks 512-736-9988

Tim Salge 830-625-4816

Fredericksburg Todd Bierschwale 830-997-2130

Vice President of Marketing Tim Kolbe timk@hermannsonslife.org Marketing Analyst Ana Vasquez, FLMI, AIRC, FIC anav@hermannsonslife.org Administrative Assistant Gladys Rowley gladysr@hermannsonslife.org

New Braunfels Becki Carley 361-550-9358

Katrina Wiatrek 210-326-9505

Kerrville Barbara Ramsey 830-554-0517

Marketing Department Staff

210-527-9113 • 877-437-6266 • 888-839-7667

Orange Grove Paula Gebert 361-384-2375 Paige RaChelle Dube 512-740-3518 Pflugerville Julius Dubcak 512-272-8393

Ruth Bailey 210-602-5147 Darlene Irwin 210-392-2649 Rayna Sue Irwin 210-710-7038 Clif Klabunde, FIC 210-219-6142 Jim McNeel 210-601-2097 Emma Moya 210-344-3935 San Marcos/Lockhart Janice Kuhen 512-393-1431

Schulenburg/Weimar Mary K. Seifert 979-743-0312 Schwertner Irene Schwertner 254-527-4470 Seguin/San Antonio Carol Krauss, FIC 210-725-4106 Seguin Annette D. Roecker 830-832-0724 Tina B. Ynfante 210-859-1973 Diane Terp 830-305-3564 Spring Branch Gloria Gass 830-885-4405 Stockdale Ronald Wiatrek 210-771-4354 Victoria Jason Hybner 361-652-6924 Victoria Laura Thigpen 361-676-8307 Yorktown Judy Wolf 361-564-2452

Page 28 – Hermann Sons Life – December 2018

Shining Stars

Christmas Word Search Tree

Cookies

Holiday

Red

Gifts

Green

Stocking

Christmas

Santa

North Pole

Sleigh

Tinsel

Reindeer

Family

Jolly

Ornaments

Carols

Candy Cane

Shining Star Registration Form

Christmas Crossword Puzzle

Just send us a photo of yourself (that we can keep) and fill out this form and send to: Tammi Sutherland, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297. The form is also available online at hermannsonslife.org. Photos of our Shining Stars also are featured online.

Name: Birthday: Home Phone: Daytime Phone: Address: City:

Zip:

E-mail Address:

Across

Down

1. Famous snowman

2. Reindeer with a shiny red nose

4. What Santa travels in

3. Covers the ground on a white Christmas

8. Makes toys for Santa

5. Santa comes down this

Pets:

9. Used to decorate a Christmas tree

6. Red and white hooked-shaped candy

Favorite TV show:

10. December 25

7. Left under the tree Christmas morning

11. Hung by the chimney with care

10. Left out for Santa

12. What presents are left under

11. Jolly toy maker

Grade in school: Favorite food:

Activities: 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: I am a member of

Lodge No.

Certificate No.______________________________________________________

Answers on Pg. 6

Be a Shining Star!

Members 17 and younger can become Shining Stars!

Shining Stars are featured in Hermann Sons Life each month and on our website and receive a fun packet in the mail. Shining Stars and their families are invited to a special event each year. The past few years, Shining Stars

have been treated to a day at Schlitterbahn.

Fill out the form on this page or go to the website, www.hermannsonslife.org, Member Benefits - Shining Stars.

The Shining Star Family Fun Day will be held June 22, 2019. Shining Stars must be registered prior to the event.