2002 Reunion Wrap-up
The 25th biennial Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family Reunion was held June 22-23, 2002 at the Concho Pavilion in San Angelo, Texas. A total of 961 people were present, including 30 guests. Attendance by family was as follows: Joe, 452; Anton, 214; Elizabeth, 166; William, 138; and Ben, 54.
Saturday afternoon had many activities going for the family to enjoy. Besides visiting family members could look at memorabilia, have a drink and snack, or look over the information gathered for the new book. The Book committee had several computers set up for the family to get on line and look over the information already entered in the database for the new book. They also had family representatives available to take corrections and fill out new forms for the book.
Souvenirs available for sale included hatpins and other items. The Havlak Polka Band entertained the reunion guest with good old German music. Many young and old took to the dance floor. The reunion fed 565 adults and 90 children for both the Saturday supper and Sunday dinner.
President Dottie Frerich called the Meeting to order on Sunday, June 23, 2003, at 1:45 p.m. Bishop Leroy Matthieson led opening prayer. The minutes of the previous reunion meeting of June 11, 2000, held in San Antonio, were read by Shirley Burk, Secretary-Treasurer, and approved as read.
Board members were introduced. Present were Kenneth Anderson, Marjorie
Baumbach, Linda Binns, Carla Bottorf, Shirley Burk, Dolores Evans, Dottie Frerich, Theresa Gold, Gene Hoelscher, Johnny Hoelscher, Curtis Lutringer, Lee and Judith Meurer, Reba Ott, Annie Raabe, Melvin Schanen and Doris Voltin. Absent were Dorothy Corcoran, Karen Cosper, Clarence Entrop, Emma Helpert, Wanda Hoelscher, and Cecilia Triska. Family members who had previously served on the board and present at this reunion were also recognized.
President Frerich announced the resignation of board members, Annie Raabe of Mesquite, and Emma Helpert of Dallas. Both have served faithfully on the board for many years and it is with regret that we accept these resignations. Annie Raabe was custodian of records for a number of years, and both these members were thanked for all their work. New boards members were announced: Paula Rodgers of Garland, Gloria Robertson of Midland, and Patricia Decker of San Angelo.
Curtis Lutringer reported on the family book project. He announced it is still planned to have the new book ready for the 2004 reunion but also indicated a great deal of help is still needed to make this happen. He asked for volunteers, those who have any experience with different programs such as Book Design, Frame-Maker or Page-Maker, and also for those who want to be volunteer helpers (i.e. securing information or pictures), or who simply want to be kept informed by email of status of book. He provided his email address and asked family members to contact him. He feels the book will be fantastic, with a sturdy cover, something all family members will want. He encouraged all present to check the records at the reunion tables, check the data currently in the database on the computers installed for this purpose, and to view the samples of a portion of the book provided by publisher Carolyn Hoelscher. He also encouraged family members to order books by making a deposit and/or take an order form with them. He introduced members working on the book project, including Webmaster Charlie Dodds (not present), Hubert Lange, Carolyn Hoelscher, and family representatives from each family branch.
President Frerich thanked the religious and family members involved in the Mass this morning, which she thought was very well done. The audience seemed to agree.
Nathalene Hoelscher of Corpus Christi-Violet area was recognized as being the only family member who has attended all 25 reunions starting with the 1954 Westphalia reunion. Family members present for their first reunion were recognized and invited to return for future reunions.
Registration report, given by Jean Ann LeGrand, revealed a total of 961 people were present, including 30 guests. Attendance by family was as follows: Joe, 452; Anton, 214; Elizabeth, 166; William, 138; and Ben, 54. It should be noted that members belonging to 2 or more branches of the family were counted in each family; thus total registration does not coincide with attendance by family.
Following the recognition of all present over 80 years old, awards were presented to the following:
Oldest Man: Erwin B. Lange, 90, of Bloomington, Texas
Oldest Lady: Adela Hoelscher, 99, of San Angelo, Texas
Youngest Baby: Samantha Pospisil, 2 ½ months old, daughter of Walter and Monica Pospisial of Sugar Land, Texas
Couple Married Longest: Clarence and Velera Miles, 62 years, June 30, Houston, TX
Newly-wed Couple: Lee and Geneva Russell, 6 months, San Angelo, TX
Largest Family: Eight Adult children of WalterAndrew and Mary Knoff Hoelscher – Weldon Hoelscher, San Angelo; Jerome Hoelscher, Midland; Grace Beach, Rowena; Benedict Hoelscher, Ballinger; Clarence Hoelscher, Stephenville; Leon Hoelscher, Ballinger; Joyce Hoelscher Hoelscher, Garden City; and Mailyn Midkiff, Carrollton.
Greatest Distance Traveled: John Pospisil, Jr., of Singapore
Freddie Book auctioned off a framed picture containing portraits of Elizabeth, Anton, Joe, William, and Ben, the original five members of our family who came from Germany, donated by Carolyn Meiners of LaGrange. It was sold for $400 to Jean Ann LaGrand.
A quilt made by local family members and consisting of pictures taken from the family book, was won by Harold Hoelscher of St. Lawrence.
It was announced that Dorothy Corcoran of Corpus has resigned as custodian of records and Reba Ott of Austin has agreed to accept this position. All newspaper clippings should be sent to her.
Shirley Burk reported that board members in the central Texas area are exploring several sites for the 2004 reunion, including Waco, Temple, Belton, and Killeen. A motion made by O. A. Bernsen to accept the central Texas offer for hosting the 2004 reunion, was seconded by Dee Evans, and was approved.
Johnny Hoelscher, Vice-President, of Bryan, announced he plans to resume the yearly Aggies Club gathering for family members attending Texas A&M and will be publicizing the date of the event soon. He asked that families with Aggies students contact him.
President Frerich announced a few table decorations were still available for purchase. She also recognized and thanked all those who worked on the reunion.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
If you missed this reunion, we hope you will be able to attend the next one in 2004 in Temple.