Churches: 75th Anniversary, Imnanuel & Reformed, Warner Twp., Clark Co., Wisconsin

Contact: Betty Comstock

----Source: Warner, Wis. Immanuel & Reformed, 75th Anniversary Booklet

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3 below]

IMMANUEL’S ROLL OF HONOR

REMEMBRANCE PICTURES

We are including quite a number of pictures of logging operations in this Anniversary Booklet.  As one meets with the older members of the congregation one hears the tales of the logging days.

The pictures of our men busy in the woods, cutting the firewood for Church, school and parsonage, were taken during the year of 1950.  Forty-two men responded to the call to cut the smaller trees and the large treetops so the limbs could be piled up for sawing.  Three power chain saws were kept busy cutting trees and tops which had been trimmed by the woodsmen in the woods belonging to Simon Boedeker, and now the property of his granddaughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Novobilski.  Four teams skidded the tops and trunks to the pile which was being made ready for sawing the wood into 16 and 24 inch lengths.  On the following day came the sawing outfit and a crew of 24 to feed the tree limbs and trunks into the saw and load same on trucks to be hauled and piled at the parsonage and church.  The men enjoy this work; it bids them recall the work of yesteryears.  And cutting 80 cords of wood spell quite a saving for the church treasury; it all helps to pay the budget.

SAWING CREW

Organizations of Immanuel Church

Immanuel Ladies Aid Society--Photo

The Immanuel Ladies Aid Society was organized June 19^th, 1907, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. August Noah, with the following charter members in attendance: Mesdames William Reineking, Gottlieb Kuester, August Noah, William Toburen, Franz Abel, Herman Reinhardt, Moritz Meinhardt, Henry Meier, Frederick Brick and Otto Decker.  The early purpose of the society was the maintenance of the congregation cemeteries, which objective has been faithfully maintained to the present day.  The firs officers of the society were: President, Mrs. Franz Abel; Vice President, Mrs. William Reineking; Treasurer, Mrs. Gottlieb Kuester; Secretary, Mrs. Moritz Meinhardt.  The society at present numbers 50 members and its officers are: President, Mrs. Phillip Vollrath; Vice President, Mrs. Calvin Franz; Secretary, Mrs. Theo Kippenhan; Treasurer, Mrs. Albert Liebzeit; Ass’t. Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Henry Vollrath.   The Ladies Aid Society continues to assist the congregation in its varied activities.

The Youth Fellowship--Photo

The Youth Fellowship was organized during the ministry of the Rev. J.D. Klingeberger on November 30^th , 1947.  Those constituting the organizing Youth Council were: Dale Vollrath, Evelyn Noah, Gary Vollrath, Gladys Kuester, Elmer Humke, Harry Meinhardt, Elvera Reineking and Victor Irvine.   The organization at present lists 35 members and meets monthly for purposes of study, worship, fellowship and recreation.  Present officers of the Youth Fellowship are: President, Dale Vollrath; Secretary, Jeanette Wehrman, and Treasurer, Calvin Awe.

The Young Adult Fellowship--Photo

The Young Adult Fellowship was organized during the ministry of Rev. J.C. Klingeberger, the organizational meeting taking place January 26^th, 1948.  Those constituting the organizational council were: Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Toburen, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Reineking, Mr. and Mrs. Lorris Dusso, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Meinhardt and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Liebzeit.  The purposes of the organization are those of Christian service, fellowship, inspiration and entertainment. Present officers of the Young Adult Fellowship are: President, Clarence Meinhardt; Vice President, Phillip Vollrath; Secretary, Mrs. Fred Timmler; and Treasurer, Mrs. Arno Miller.

The Senior Choir--Photo

The Senior Choir supplies the special music for German services which are conducted once each month, for special services and Christmas carols for the shut-ins during the holiday season.  Organist of the Senior Choir is Mrs. Otto Fravert.  Director is Mrs. J.C. Klingeberger.

The Junior Choir--Photo

The Junior Choir was organized by Mrs. J.C. Klingeberger to sing at all the regular and special services of the congregation; during six years of Christian service the Junior Choir has faithfully served upon all occasions at all American services.  Each Christmas season the Junior choir sponsors a Candle Lighting Service.  It has broadcast from Station WDLB at Marshfield, shared in a very beautiful service of organ and choir music at the time of the Organ Dedication, and presented several Easter Cantatas, including "The Seven Last Words of the Cross," by Stainer.  The choir robes were worn for the first time by the Junior Choir on Christmas morning, 1947.  Mrs. Alvin Albert is choir accompanist and Mrs. J.C. Klingeberger is choir director.  The Mesdames Alvin Albert, Otto Fravert and J.C. Klingeberger also serve as congregational organists.  Officers of the choir are Miss Gladys Kuester, President; Mr. Elmer Humke, Secretary-Treasurer.

Immanuel Sunday School--Photo

The history of Immanuel Sunday School is contained in the historical sketch of congregational life forming a part of this booklet.  The Sunday School now has an enrollment of 53 scholars. (Jan. 1^st, 1951).  Throughout the late years the following taught in the school, viz. Evelyn Noah, Bernelda Noah, Eldora Reineking and Gladys Kuester.  Upon graduation from high school in 1950, two of the teachers departed to attend Teacher’s College and two left for work in the city.  Their places were taken over by Arvilla Noah, Lila Richmond, Joan Irvine and Shirley Rasmussen.   Joanne Miller is serving as secretary, Ref. J.C. Klingeberger is superintendent and Mrs. J.C. Klingeberger accompanies the singing.  A feature of Sunday School life is the fine singing of the children and the presentation of an annual elaborate Christmas program.  The Sunday School is financially self-supporting, supplying the members with latest lesson helps and very attractive religious periodicals.  It has shared with the Young Adult Fellowship in the purchase of a film strip and slide projector and a large portable screen.  The monies given on birthdays is forwarded to the American Bible Society and contributions are made to the Polio Fund, Red Cross, Missions, World Service, etc.

The Busy Bees--Photo

The Busy Bees Girl’s Society was organized April 28^th, 1923, the following being the first to hold office in the organization: Mrs. O. Vriesen, Esther Humke, Irma Vollrath, Lillian Kuester, Alma Meinholdt, Martha Miller, Esther Decker, Lillian Decker, Leona Decker, Irene Humke, Ruth Toburen, Sophie Franz, Ella Abel, Cilla Kippenhan, Edna and Elsie Decker, Minna Wehrmann, Paula Yaniga and Laura and Alma Miller.

In May of the year 1948 the Busy Bees observed the 25^th year of the society’s founding with a special service, Miss Louise Kippenhan of Black River Falls Mission delivering the anniversary message.

The society was organized as a sewing and benevolent organization. The present officers are: President, Gladys Kuester; vice President, Eldora Reineking; Secretary-Treasurer, Bernelda Noah; Advisor, Mrs. J.C. Klingeberger.

Mr. and Mrs. John Stacy and all the little Stacys

We are translating this statement concerning John Stacy from history of the Winnebago Indian Mission at Black River Falls, Wisconsin, taken from an article written by the Rev. J. Stucki for the seventy-fifth anniversary book of the Sheboygan classis; "In the year 1885, Pastor J. Hauser, who had founded the Indian Mission in 1878 (four years after the founding of Immanuel Church) resigned and the Rev. J. Stucki, who had been Pastor Hauser’s assistant for one year, became his successor.  The missionary had gradually succeeded in teaching a young man, John Stacy, a sufficient amount of English to permit him to act as interpreter, the young man having been a very diligent attendant at school.  John Stacy interpreted the simple sentences of the Bible and Bible stories, which the Indian children could read, but could not understand; finally John Stacy could also interpret the less difficult sermons to the Indian congregations.  Then, as the missionary learned the Winnebago language, Rev. Stucki and John Stacy cooperated in the translation of passages of Holy Writ in the Winnebago language.  Finally complete services in Winnebago were inaugurated, with Scripture lesson, prayer, hymn and sermon, all of which John Stacy interpreted, sentence for sentence, to the congregation.  So the Word of God went forth among the Winnebago in church and home."

Above are pictures of Mr. and Mrs. John Stacy and the Stacy children, and grandchildren, all of whom are active in the work of Immanuel Church, attending Sunday School, confirmation classes and Summer School and services.  Rev. J.C. Klingeberger confirmed both Clarence and Mona Moneger, grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. John Stacy, and is now instructing Marsh Moneger. Little Skipper Lewis and John Stacy Jr. gave a very fine Christmas recitation at the last Christmas service of Immanuel Sunday School.  John Stacy is a neighbor of ours, living two miles down the road.  This community respects and honors the Stacy family.  We are proud of their fellowship at Immanuel.

When the above picture of John Stacy was taken, he was recovering from an attack of pneumonia; may God continue to grant him and his own the richest of divine blessings.

Membership List of Immanuel Congregation