Follow up Columbus Reunion
The 30th biennial meeting of the Hoelscher – Buxkemper family was held at the KC Hall in Columbus, On Sunday, June 24, 2012, with the meeting called to order at 1:15 P.M. by President Linda Binns. The opening prayer was led by Deacon Wilbur Hoelscher, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A Proclamation from Commissioners Court of Colorado County, recognizing and welcoming the HB Descendants to Colorado County, was read by Linda Binns.
Board members Karen Cosper and Judy Meurer presented a Memorial Service, honoring family members who had died since June 2010 (last reunion).
Secretary – Treasurer Shirley Burk announced copies of the reunion metting held on Juen 27, 2010 in New Braunfels had been distributed prior to the meeting. A motion by O.A. Bernsen to approve minutes was seconded and approved. Shirley Burk also reported that this reunion appears to be a very successful one but that all bills had not yet been received, so it is not possible at this time to give a complete financial report. Funds from this reunion will be used to prepare for the next reunion in 2014.
Board members in attendance were introduced: Margie Baumbach, Crosby; O.A. Bernsen, Hondo; Linda Binns, San Angelo; Carla Bottorf, Kingsbury, Shirley Burk, Temple; Leonard Buxkemper, Schulenburg; Karen Cosper, Flower Mound; Patricia Decker, San Angelo; Dottie Frerich, San Angelo; Barbara Fuchs, Midland; Carolyn Gottschalk, Arlington; Barbara Hoelscher, Salado; Johnny Hoelscher, Bryan; Hubert Lange, San Antonio; Nadine McDonald, Lubbock; Lee and Judith Meurer, Slaton; Reba Ott, Austin; and Doris Voltin, Rosebud. Absent were: James Bernsen, Taylor (had been present on Saturday); Claarence Entrop, Temple; Ceclia Hoelscher, Corpus Chrisit; Paula Rodgers, Dallas; and Charles Untermeyer, Boerne. Kenneth Anderson, Board member for many years, died in 2010. Two new board members were elected at board meeting yesterday: Diane Hadley of Austin and Joan Black of Corpus Christi, who was introduced. Wanda Hoelscher has resigned from the board. Past Board Members Alice Hoelscher, Rosamond Bedrich, and Dee Evans were also recognized. Past President Dottie Frerich, who served as president from 1997 to 2011, was presented a gift and a big-thank you from the entire family.
Clergy and religious were recognized and thanked for presiding at Mass this morning: Mgsr. Elmer Holtman (who had to leave prior to meeting); Deacons Larry Hoelscher, Bill Smetana, and Wilbur Hoelscher.
Past reunion chairpersons in attendance and recognized were: Doris Voltin, Carla Bottorf, Dottie Frerich, Alice Hoelscher, Rosemond Bedrich, and Larry/ Patricia Hoelscher.
Those attending a reunion for the first time were recognized and invited to return. Nathalene Hoelscher of Robstown was recognized as the only family member who has attended all 30 reunions. She got out of the hospital on Friday and came to the reunion.
Registration report was given by Elsie Kahlden, co-Chair and registration chair of this reunion.
Total attendance over two day period was 741 with 54 guests. Per Family: Elizabeth had 250; Anton 125 ; Joe 230; Ben 98; and William 48. Elsie thanked all those who had helped with registration. Those over 80 and those over 90 in attendance were also recognized. Awards were presented as follows:
Oldest Man Frank Lesikar, 90 of Columbus
Oldest Lady Irene Buxkemper Henneke, 99 of LaGrange
Youngest Baby Boy Tucker Bailey, 13 months, son of John and Angie Bailey, Belton
Youngest Baby Girl Claire Culpepper,15 mths,daughter of Scott & Denise Culpepper, Houston
Couple Married Longest Arnold and Ernestine Lange, 64 years, San Angelo
Newly-Wed Couple Jennifer and Travis Busselman, 8 days of Cypress
Largest Family Five daughters of Thomas and Alberta Goertz, Rockne: Aileen Dixon, Janet Rathmann, Shraon Schnack, Cheryl Daniel, and Denise Culpepper (Pflugerville, Bastrop & Houston)
Greatest Distance Traveled Diane and Collin Garoutte, Yokosuka, Japan.
A new award was presented this year – to those with the most generations present. Three families had four generations in attendance:
- Ernest & Louise Michalewicz, San Angelo, Robert & Judy Michalewicz, Big Lake, Teresa Michalewicz, Garrison and Weston of College Station
- Marilyn Hoelscher Midkiff, Janice Midkiff Durham, Marilyn Jo Karasowsky, Mara and Kelton of Carrollton
- Irene Henneke, Al Henneke, Gail Henneke and Harper Henneke, La Grange
Door prizes were awarded as well as raffle prizes. Leonard Buxkemper thanked all the family members who had helped with the reunion. Henry Hoelscher, whose farm was visited on Firday and Saturday, also addressed the group.
Linda Binns announced: 1. Newspaper clippings can be sent to Reba Ott in Austin, 2. Address changes sent to Barbara Hoelscher in Salado, 3. Family is on Facebook and has website www.h-bfamily.org; 4. Family books are still available and can be ordered.
Doris Voltin of Rosebud announced the next reunion will be in the Central Texas area, probably Temple, in July of 2014, and invited all to attend.
Meeting Adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Submitted by:
Shirley Burk
Secretary-Treasurer, HBF