A Remembrancewritten by Barb OlsonWell, the first night as we remember it was about 25 people which included the Kruegers (4), Her parents (2), Us (3), Ken Fisher, Bob and Clayton Steep, Paul Petronek (4), Marons (2), Andrew Kolo, Mrs. Kleier's parents the Wustmann's, Bettendorf's (were married by Mr. Armstrong at the Feast in 1956), and others, we just can't remember. I don't see Phyllis Krueger in the picture but of course she was coming to church...My guess is most of these people in this picture came in the 1950's. I know the Britts, Vershowske's came in 1958. In 1959, after the Feast in Texas, a bunch came in; the Kleiers, Nenstiels, and others. At Christmas time came the Ochs, I think with all their girls, Larssons, Westphals, Kemnitz's. Judy was just born May 26th and this picture was about a month later, she was in the buggy sleeping. |
Submit your stories and remembrances!!Did any of our pictures bring back good memories? Share those remembrances with us! I would love to read anything you would like to write and I am sure others would too!!! Or send us new pictures with a story! They don't have to be old stories, but good memories of good people and good times. |
Picture #1back row is Mr. and Mrs. Grant Kemnitz, Mr. Forbush,------, Mr. Cary, Jim Hainz, Mr. Nensteil, Lyle Dietz, Irvin Fox, Larry Nensteil, Chuck Cary, George Kemnitz, Bob Gray with his little boy, Harold Bettendorf on the end, Next row, Lyle Vershowske, Clarence Kleier, Mr. and Mrs. Gronlund, Mrs. Nancy (?) Bald, Mr., Weisenreider, Mr. John Bald, Mrs. Weisenreider, Dick Larsson with Steve Olson on his back, Mrs. June Kleier, Bev Larsson, Mrs. Sykes, Berneice Waters, Mrs. Nensteil, Eloise Kleier, Ilis Dietz, Barb Olson, Alma Kleier, Wes Olson, Mr. Waters, Berneice's Dad, Bob Gray, Harold Krueger on the end... Next row, Ruth Lee, Mrs. Wedemeyer, Charlotte Hauser, no relation to the George Hausers, Caroline Fox holding Sandi Bettendorf, Mrs. Lanke, Tammy Cary, Mr. Lanke, Mrs. Helen Cary, Mrs. Lily Britts, Helen Wedemeyer, Mrs. Gerri Grey holding their little girl, Bev Larsson, Mrs. Maron, Nancy Nensteil, Mrs. Tilton, Sylvia Tilton, Mr. Wedemeyer, Stellan Larsson, Mr. Maron on the end. Next row....kneeling is Charlene Bettendorf, Donna Vershowske with Eric, I think a Weisendreider girl, Violet Kleier, d/b another Weisenreider girl, not sure they had a lot of girls, Diana Krueger, Cindy Krueger, Betty Britts, Weisenreider boy in front of her, Then Tilton girls, Joy and another Weisenreider girls, on the end is Todd Vershowske...Keith Kleier could be another one of the boys. Maybe next to Todd, not sure. Tiltons had 5 girls, not sure if their boy was born yet on here, I don't think so. |
Picture # 2Milwaukee Spokesman Club. Not in order I see, Mr Neilson? Zach Guerrerro, Kaiser, Kleier, Tilton, Strickland, Burger, Dave Henry, Strelow, Machelot, Kroll, Westphall, Plonty, Ehler, , I don’t know most of them. |
Picture #3Ryan Ramlow, Sarah and Rachel Gunderson, ?, Jacoby, Matt Kaulbach, ?, two more Jacobys, Peter Kaulbach, Brittany Westberg, Jacoby and Werner Schmidt |
Picture # 4.Ryan Ramlow, ??, Rachel Gunderson, Jacoby, Brittany, Melody Schmidt, Jacoby, Gundrum, Krueger Debbie Burns, Krueger, Peter Kaulbach, Krueger, Werner |
Picture # 5.Toni, Dianne, ?, Tony, Gene Post, Paul Peterson, Kim, Marilynn, Morris, ?, Arlette, Betty, Pat, Ken, Dennis, Robert, Eloise, Barb, Judy? Marie Falk, Betty, Donna, Ron, Vince, Lyle, Dave, John, Marlene, Ardelle, Audrey, Donna, Jean, Shirley, Ron Scott Jim, Paul, Tom ? Esther |
Picture # 6.Back row: Mrs. Howell, Dorothy Hodzinski, Toni Henry, Eloise Kleier,
Dave Kroll, ? 2nd from back row, Barb Kroll, Ardelle Wiltsie, Shirley Knuth, Pat Kuczinski, Betty Thompson, Richad Falk, Jim Knight? Robert Strelow, Ken Omick, John Schilling, Dale Ott , Dujohn Zeema, Betty Wichern, Bonnie Strelow, Donna Haines, Mrs Iskin, Barb Olson, 3rd from back row, Phyllis Brumm, Jenny Kangas, Marie Brown, Sandy Puerner?, Tom Geiger, Brother Wells, Harry Bitts, Lyle Vershowske, Jerry Dohrman, Paul Kangas .Roger Vavra, Doris Strelow, ? Mrs Raymon, Rita Bitz, Front row, Arlette Omick, Dona Vershowske, Lucille Crye, Judy Collins, Chris Ott, Lynn Strickland, Ron Wells , Ben Endries, Jerry Crye, Zach Guerrero, Mrs Gaido, Grace Endries, Mary Ann Browne, Dorothy Kemnitz. Mr Ochs, Jesse and Cathy Henry, Dave Henry, and Todd Vershowske, Thompson? Playing the piano? |
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Picture #7.Larry Young, Carlos Guerrerro, Ted Budge, next row Judy Olson, Dace Schmidt, Kilbury, Julie Dexter, Lisa Endries, Robin Hauser, Andy Gingrasso, Mark Wichern ? Brandon Wichern, ? Next row Linda Strelow, Julie Himden, Jean Strelow, ??Kathy Himden ? Pam Mehnert |
Picture #8Clown, Lyle Vershowske Front Row sitting L to R: Carol Crye, unknown, Sherry
Puerner, Linda Strelow, Becky Brown, Kevin Kroll, Johnny Hainz, Phillip Larrson, Amy Endries, Kelly McIntire, Brian Puerner |
Pictures 9-16will be posted as YOU submit the information!!!!
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A Walk Down Memory Lanescript for slide by slide viewing. My name
is Dave Kroll and I am a Purple Turkey!
We introduced ourselves as Purple Turkeys because a small part of
the fifty year history of the Church in the 3. a group of guys who during the 1970’s played
flag football in competition with a number of teams from various churches
in the greater 4. ….Somebody referred to us as a bunch of turkeys and so we decided we would call ourselves The Purple Turkeys. 5…For two years, however, there was one team we
just could not beat. It was
the very fast and athletic team from the 6. Sports, music, talent shows, socials, 7. youth programs, picnics, fund raising and many other activities made this one of the most active church areas in the entire country for many years. 8. It all began at 7:30 P.M. on November 2nd. 1956
when about 20 people gathered for services at the Pilgrim Club located on 9. ….with Mr. Dean Blackwell presiding. Mr.
Blackwell commuted to 10. Wes and Barb Olson were some of the first of this group to be baptized with many more to follow. 11. In
1961, George Meeker became our first resident pastor and served until
1967. Our meeting location
changed to the AO Smith Union Hall on 12. 13. Mr. Meeker was assisted by Bill Freeland and a local elder, Harold Krueger. 14. Hal Baird pastured the church from 1967 through 1971. His assistants during this time included Jess Ernest, George Kackos, Mike Heis, Ron Howe and Jim Redus. 15. In 1968 the Church moved to the Country Maid Inn
in 16. Mike Hanisko arrived in 17. He had the privilege of serving under Jim Friddle, Richard Kilbury…., 18. …and Carl McNair. Mr. McNair pastored here from June of 1975 to some time in 1985. 19. During Mr. McNair’s tenure, Milwaukee South
moved to Waukesha Skateland, Milwaukee North moved to Butler Skateland and
churches were started in 20. Mike became the pastor of Milwaukee South and 21. Joel Lillengreen replaced Carl Mc Nair in 1986
and Gene Noel arrived to pastor Milwaukee Central and 22. The 23. In the 90’s the churches in our area continued to be led by such names as Dave Fiedler, Norm Meyer, Ray Meyer, Warren Heaton, Wally Neufelt and others. 24. Music has played a big part in our church life. 25. The small choir started by Peter Ochs in the early 1960’s grew into a multi facetted music program 26. involving children’s groups, 27. ….various vocal and instrumental ensembles, many soloists 28. …..and a sizeable church choir and orchestra. 29. Our church dance band played for many socials and weddings. 30 The choir performed an annual stage show for many years which was later replaced with ten straight years of talent shows involving five area churches. 31. Besides our talent shows, .We were privileged to share our various music groups with other church areas which included Blue River and Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, several Chicago churches and as far away as Memphis Tennessee. 32. Our choir and orchestra performed concerts at
Mount Carmel and Shorehaven Nursing homes and our vocal octet performed
with the Continental Youth Band at the 33. We were able to contribute heavily with our talents to the annual Feast of Tabernacles… 34. ….and for many years anchored the Wisconsin Dells festival music program. 35. During the 1970’s the headquarters ministry founded the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation (AICF) for the purpose of sponsoring various cultural activities and serving our local communities 36. A 37. Other concerts, that followed, involved pianist Valdiaar Ashkenazy, vocalist Robert Merril and the U.S. Coast Guard Navy Band. 38. It was during one of these concerts that Mr. Herbert Armstrong visited our church area. 39. Our AICF chapter also got involved in several community projects 40. which included providing a group of inner-city
youth an all expense paid trip to 41. This was just one of hundreds of outings and activities experienced by our youth beginning with the formation of The Milwaukee Youth Group (MYG) in 1967 42. 43. 44. , and its transition to Youth Opportunities United (YOU) in 1975.
45. Outings included bowling, swimming, horseback riding, 46. snow skiing, tobogganing, canoeing,, ice skating, water skiiing,. 47. barn parties, square dancing, roller skating, 48. , dances, stage shows, field trips, service projects and the list just goes on and on and on. 49. Our annual summer camp was always a highlight and 50. 51. The YOU took a second trip to 52. While YOU served the needs of our teens, we also had many activities for our preteens with everything from rocket shoots to fishing and various athletic activities… 53. … and music shows. 54. We served as a hub for many district, regional and even tri-regional events connected with our youth program. 55. We served as a hub for many district, regional and even tri-regional events connected with our youth program. 56. We served as a hub for many district, regional and even tri-regional events connected with our youth program. 57. Volleyball tournaments 58. track and field meets and talent contests that
brought teens and their families to our area from many parts of the 59. We held the first YOU Bible Bowl in our YOU district and hosted many similar events such as Bible Baseball. 60. Sports played a big role in our church area with none bigger than basketball. 61. It seemed like almost every weekend in late fall and early winter some of us were traveling somewhere to play basketball. 62. For many years Milwaukee/West Bend hosted an
annual basketball tournament as did the . 63. Dozens of teams from throughout the 64. Our yearly “family track meet” was always a popular event that resulted in sore muscles and tired bodies. 65. For years we had a men’s softball team called The Milwaukee Saints who participated in city leagues and of course let’s not forget the Purple Turkey flag football team you already heard about. 66. With all these activities, we had to find creative ways to finance them. The most creative of all was our annual “Family Unity Fund Raiser” which was able to raise multiple thousands of dollars every year by selling Katherine Beich candies and nuts. 67. This activity was spearheaded by the 68. The 69. In addition to these fund raisers, our teenagers held an annual paper drive, sold pizza, and even managed an apple orchard one year and sold the apples for profit. 70. During the 80’s and 90’s the singles sponsored a yearly event called Gemuetlikeit . Gemuetlikeit is a German word which means warm, friendly hospitality. 71. Singles would come to the 72. This event gave singles the opportunity to meet other singles and many lasting relationships developed 73. including some marriages. 74. Capping this event would be a social for the entire church area where the singles would put on a fun show featuring their many talents. 75. Speaking of socials, brings back memories of the virtual hundreds of dinners, dances, picnics and other such activities we all had opportunity to participate in over the years. 76. We had semi-formal dinner dances at such places
as the Wisconsin Club and the 77. At a number of these events we provided our own in-house entertainment performed by the folk trio of Cathy, Dave and Jim along with our men’s vocal quartet and mixed vocal octet. 78. Our in-house band, first led by Peter Ochs and later by Norm Myers, provided a wide variety of music including the always popular waltzes and polkas. 79. Our socials often had themes. In the mid sixties we held a carnival social at the Country Maid Inn where you could test your skills at a variety of games and be entertained by our resident clown Lyle Vershowske. 80. I remember our Hawaiian social where we featured an all Hawaiian band which not only played great music 81. …but performed fire dances and other traditional Hawaiian entertainment. 82. Roller skating socials were always popular and we
had many of them at 83. Picnics have been annual events that provide opportunity to cook out and participate in a variety of recreational activities. 84. Softball, volleyball, horseshoes, wheelbarrow races, gunny sack races…. 85. ….Dessert baking contests were, and still are, popular activities at these events. 86. Tug-of-wars, water balloon tosses, 87. and three legged races are just some of the fun activities where both young and old could get involved. 88. If there is one thing, however, that has became ubiquitous over the years, it is the “pot luck.” We have been referred to as the “Church of the Pot Luck.” We must have had thousands of pot lucks over the past fifty years and they continue to this very day. 89. We have pot lucks at socials, picnics, youth activities, after church services, Bible studies and meetings of all kinds. The “pot luck” continues to be a popular activity in our area churches. 90. While we have been referred to as the “Church
of the Pot Luck,” we could be better characterized as the “ 91. We had opportunity to serve the needs of many fellow church members and we also contributed to the needs of the community as well. 92. Some time during the 1970’s we launched what was called the “Good Fruits Cellar.” The church collected food, clothing and a variety of other things and distributed these items to those in need both inside and outside the church. 93. In the early 90s our church area became involved
with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a National organization
that builds homes and deeds them over to people of low income who would
never be able to buy a home on their own.
We became involved in several projects in 94. 95. For many years the men of the church participated in Spokesmen Club, an activity which gave men opportunity to develop speaking skills. As the years passed by, a women’s club was also established which provided our ladies with similar opportunities. 96. In the early 1970’s a leadership training
program was developed which provided intensive instruction in scriptural
studies and prepared men to assume various leadership roles in the church.
Over the years the 97. Many people were given opportunity to use their talents as coaches of our many sports teams, as performers in our music program, ministering to our youth and as administrators and facilitators of numerous activities and events. 98. Today, the 99. the 100. the Worldwide 101. other smaller groups. 102. We all take heart in our allegiance to our great God who gives us opportunity for salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. 103. We can in unity share in the memories of the
past fifty years of the 104. We have touched on just a few of those memories this evening. 105. We trust this short walk down memory lane 106. has been as inspiring to you 107. as it has been for us. 108. Wow!!! Wasn't that wonderful??? |
Letter from
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