St. Therese All-School Reunion

By: Jennifer Much

Cherishing Unforgettable Memories

Inside a well-known brick building nestled on Wisconsin Avenue, are 36,000 square feet of history and memories. While it is now set to be demolished, St. Therese School will always be an iconic treasure to the community and its 3,600 alumni.

In August, alumni were invited to once again walk the halls, explore the classrooms and reminisce with former classmates. Stories were exchanged and boisterous laughs filled the rooms as individuals gathered to pay tribute to their school. Following self-guided tours, the group came together in fellowship and faith for a Mass in the school's honor.

A Humbling History

From 1928-1984, St. Therese School warmly welcomed thousands of children, teachers, parents, clergy and volunteers. The land on which it rests was purchased in the summer of 1923 for $15,000, a considerable amount for the time, and ground was broken for the building in April of 1927.

The two-story building, constructed of limestone walls and red bricks, was crafted in a Neogothic Revival-style architecture. The church was located on the first floor, and on the second was a collection of six classrooms. Originally, a new rectory was built and in 1953 the building layout expanded, providing eight additional classrooms.

While a majority of the founding families stemmed from German heritage, the school welcomed parishioners of all backgrounds during its fifty-six year run, an encouraging practice that continues now with the church. The school once went up to eighth grade, employing teachers from the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc, of whom alumni express fond memories. In 1984, the school closed following an unfortunate decline in enrollment and a continual spike in operating costs. For former students, there is no shortage of happy memories. Alumna Jill Nagel recalled a favorite of her own: recess. “I remember playing Red Rover,” said Nagel, “but mostly when we were allowed on the boys' side, we played marbles," she said, adding that they used beautiful cat eye marbles and silver colored steelies. At the time, the playground designated separate areas for boys and girls. “Depending on who was the nun or teacher out there, sometimes they let us mingle,” said Nagel.

In addition to getting to know her peers, Nagel also appreciated her educators. “Sister Karen and Mrs. Rossmeissl were so kind to me when my dad was sick, '' Nagel said. Through her years at the school, Nagel also developed many close friendships. “Although we don’t see each other much, many of us are still friends today,” she said.

Alumna Mary Dexheimer Ellenbecker also found companionship amongst her classmates. “Friends that I met at St. Therese are still friends 50+ years later, “ said Ellenbecker. In addition to friendship, Ellenbecker found a solid foundation for her faith. “For many years we attended Mass every day” she said, “our priests and nuns were our guidance to be Christ-like.”

Ellenbecker remembers the endless encouragement to respect her elders, follow instructions, and learn self-discipline. “We looked forward to receiving all the sacraments available to us,” said Ellenbecker, “I believe I am a better Christian because of my eight years at St. Therese.”

Looking back, Ellenbecker talked about donning a dress each day, noting that St. Therese was the only Catholic school without uniforms. There were also recollections of special field trips, and receiving tuberculosis tests and shots in school - a true mark of a different time. Even more, she reflected on singing in choir. "In 8th grade, we finally were in the choir loft in church and got to sing for midnight Mass on Christmas Eve" said Ellenbecker, "what an honor - 14-years-old and so grown up."

Ellenbecker also had a unique connection to the school through her mother, Delores Dexheimer. Dexheimer was a well-known assistant cook when the cafeteria opened in the 1960's. "Mom eventually became head cook and ran that kitchen for many years," said Ellenbecker. Dexheimer was admired by many for her role as a lunch lady. Back then, lunches were 35¢ a day or $1.50 for the week.

Beyond cooking for weddings, funerals and banquets, Dexheimer helped whip up the famous St. Therese Spanish hamburgers, also known as "Sloppy Joes" for church picnics. "Sloppy Joes were also devoured at home, although we called them Spanish hamburgers" said Ellenbecker. "Lots of sandwiches could be made from a pound or two of hamburger and it went a long way to feed the large Catholic families."

Former student Laura (Kostelnik) Biskupic '82 also had sweet moments at St. Therese. “My favorite memories are the cream puffs and the people I met, especially Mrs.Rossmeissl, my second grade teacher, who later became principal," said Biskupic. Biskupic also enjoyed gym class with Mrs. Radtke and even more, looked forward to Saturday basketball games when the gym smelled like popcorn.

Families and students even enjoyed activities outside of school and special events. "We used to have extravagant Oktoberfest celebrations," said Biskupic, "carnival rides like the Tilt-A-Whirl were tucked into the corner of a parking lot that became a regular midway for the weekend."

What the Future Holds

While the building will no longer be present, the memories it brought will remain forever. Historical photographs, records, and stories will also be displayed in the history room in the new building on the grounds.

There are also multiple online outlets available to reconnect with the defunct school. A virtual scrapbook is available on the St. Therese website, www.st-thereseschool.com. There, visitors can browse class lists, peek at attendance records, read newspaper scans and reminisce over old photographs. A page dedicated to St. Therese alumni can also be found on social media, giving individuals another opportunity to converse with former classmates and their families. "I still have this photo," Ellenbecker said of a black and white photograph taken at a 1964 school picnic. The photo shows Ellenbecker smiling alongside Mrs. Griesbach, Vicki Krabbe, Gail Upton, and Mary Heiss, "I have great, great memories of those friends and teachers."

A Picnic in the Present

Send your tastebuds back into time by making St. Therese's coveted sloppy joes at home!

Spanish Hamburgers

(Sloppy Joes) Legendary at St. Therese Annual School Picnic at Erb Park.

Ingredients 3 pounds of hamburger 2 medium onions 1/2 bunch celery 1 can of Campbell's tomato soup hamburger buns salt and pepper

Directions Put the hamburger in a large cast iron pan and brown on medium to high heat. As hamburger cooks, keep chopping and mashing hamburger so it is in very small pieces. Chop onions in small pieces. Cut celery into small (1/2") pieces. When the hamburger is brown, add cut up onions and celery. Cook until onions and celery are soft. Add tomato soup and 1-2 cans of water and stir (add until it is the consistency that you like). Cook and stir occasionally for an hour and continue to cut up and mash hamburger as it cooks. Serve on hamburger buns.