100 Years 100 stories

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
100 Years
Our Stories
209 South Allen Street
Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
920.734.9895
www.trinityappleton.com
Contents
Judy Boncher ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Mitzi Britton ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Carol Burns Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley, Inc. ........................................................................................................................................1
Dorothy Deeg........................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
Anna Faye Dodd ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
Lorna Dorn.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
Dean and Ann Einspahr ..................................................................................................................................................................................................3
Margie and Jerry Ellefson ..............................................................................................................................................................................................3
Heidi (Ellefson) Selander...............................................................................................................................................................................................3
Betty Emmanuel .................................................................................................................................................................................................................4
Wanda Fischer – Confirmation ...................................................................................................................................................................................4
Wanda Fischer - Family ..................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Barbara Haas ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Helen Heil ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Marilyn (Pingel) Jacobson .............................................................................................................................................................................................7
Annelise Jensen ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
Erick Jensen .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
Julius Family .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
John Julius ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Hilkka Kaustinen................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Janice Liebscher ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Leanne Meidam Wincentsen..................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Brenda Miller .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Pete and Millie Mohr ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Kari A Mor ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Judy Natz .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
John and Carol Palmquist ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Carlyn Pingel...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Mary Robertson ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Audrey Mattes Schiedermayer ................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Marilyn Schucknecht..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Glennis Schuelke ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Lois Small............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Doug and Marion Steward.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Susan Suprise .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Chris Vander Wielen ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Dorothy Warren............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Pr. Brian, Mary, and Matt Bankert........................................................................................................................................................................ 17
John Julius Automobile Memories: ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18
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Trinity Lutheran Church
1915 - 2015
Centennial
Welcome to "100 Years . . . Our Stories"
A century is a milestone for any building, but for our church it represents a particular
achievement at the heart of our community. It is an occasion in which not just the
congregation, pastor, and volunteers should be proud, but also the entire community,
which benefits from the good deeds and work that spring from its influence.
Our centennial anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the lives and works of all
who have worshipped here. Each one of you has a "Trinity" story written on your
heart. Please enjoy the following stories that members, both former and present,
have chosen to share. Some stories may make you chuckle while others may bring a
tear to your eye. But all of them are heartfelt!
Thank you to everyone who contributed stories as well as those who interviewed
members, transcribed the notes, and assembled this booklet. Please excuse any typos
or spelling errors - the memories and stories are what's important.
Enjoy!!
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piano, I again held them at the church. This time we
had the recitals in the church, from the years 1990
to 2006. I have lots of wonderful memories of great
performances and receptions over those 50 years.
Judy Boncher
Having been a member of Trinity for over 50
years, I thought I might be remiss if I did not write a
few words about my favorite memories. They are,
of course, the wonderful Christmas and Palm
Sunday cantatas and programs that told the Gospel
story through music and word. We always had a
full orchestra, insightful readings, and glorious
orchestral and organ music. Our choir of 25-30
members sang and rehearsed with passion… and
fun. On those Sundays we usually had about 600
congregational and community people in
attendance. (One time the fire chief came to the
service to assure himself that we could all exit
safely if needed!) Finding a parking place was a
good issue!
Carol Burns
Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley, Inc.
Although not a member of Trinity Lutheran
church I have had personal contact with Trinity
since 2000 when Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley,
Inc., began serving our evening meal every Monday
night. I don't remember the name of the pastor
with whom I spoke in 2000 when I came to discuss
the possibility of renting space at Trinity to feed the
hungry, but I do remember feeling very welcomed.
All of us felt a commitment to what we were
doing and a hope that we were truly
communicating messages of peace, hope, and love.
There was always an aura of community
togetherness in the choir and it was wonderful for
each of the choir members and those in the
congregation, to experience that wonderful sense of
strength and togetherness. Candles, carols, and
connectivity created an atmosphere of intense
spirituality. Worship was both personal and
communal. When we sang “How Can I Keep from
Singing?” it was truth in evidence.
Each of the pastors since then has supported
our outreach with enthusiasm. The people at
Trinity began to get involved, too. Mary Robertson
and her husband, Ron, graciously built us a cabinet
in which we stored can goods and paper items.
Those items were kept in the small storage room
under the stairs. Paul Walker, the church custodian,
built shelves for L&F in the storage room across the
hall from the smaller storage area. (Pastor Kurt
Kovanen authorized the purchase of lumber used to
build the shelves and I believe the lumber was then
donated by a church member).
Austin was the choir/music director for 35
years; he was here officially longer than any of our
pastors! I am truly grateful and most appreciative
for the musical memories the choir and my husband
created at Trinity. I feel blessed to have been a part
of it. Golden memories in my golden years! A
wonderful history of remembrance in this building!
As L&F continued to grow and a second night
was added to our ministry in 2010, more freezer
space was needed. Pastor Kurt offered us space in
the former library located across from the kitchen
to accommodate our walk-in freezer and food
items. The Ladies Bible Study Group also became
involved with L&F and took control one evening
serving the entire meal. A partnership soon
developed.
Pastor Brian Bankert arrived in 2013 and was
immediately supportive of our program. In January
of 2014, Trinity co-hosted a Holiday Party for the
guests of L&F. Later the church council, with the
blessings of Pastor Brian, agreed to let L&F rent the
lower auditorium for a third night of feeding the
hungry. L&F has been blessed by our partnership
with Trinity. Thank you all for graciously
welcoming us into your church community.
Mitzi Britton
I gave private piano lessons in Appleton for over
50 years. I had a total of 303 students during that
time. My students performed in a recital once a
year. From 1961 to 1979, I held those recitals at
Trinity on a Sunday afternoon in the lower
auditorium. We had a reception after also.
From 1980 to 1989, I held the recitals at the
History museum and Einstein Junior High School.
When Trinity was able to get their beautiful grand
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Dorothy Deeg
trainer who prepared these members for their
duties.
My husband Richard was a lifelong member of
Trinity. He was baptized and confirmed here. In
1992 he passed away and was buried from Trinity
after 61 years of membership. We were married at
St. Paul’s church in August of 1953. In October of
that year I joined Trinity. We had two daughters,
Sue and Cindy. They were baptized, confirmed, and
married here. Our four grandchildren were also
baptized and confirmed here. Two of them were
also married at Trinity. Two great-grandsons were
baptized here as well. When our daughters were
young, I was a Sunday school teacher and also a
Vacation Bible School teacher. Later on I was head
of both departments at Trinity.
Professionally, Anna Faye was a substitute
teacher and tutor. She was involved in preschool
screening of three and four year-olds and became in
charge of the program. When children needed
assistance, Anna Faye linked them to the
appropriate program or source.
Anna Faye was an active volunteer in these
community organizations: League of Women
Voters, Community Clothes Closet, and Harbor
House.
Lorna Dorn
Joyce Lippold and I co-chaired the Membership
Committee for many years. Our committee
consisted of Lois Small, Millie Mohr, Ann Einspahr,
and Esther Jurgenson. We met once a month at The
Good Company with the pastors. With the money
given to the church for funerals and other special
events we purchased many things for the kitchen
and dining areas. Some of these items were the
round tables and chairs, large refrigerator,
silverware, and tablecloths. We also purchased the
bookcase and credenza in the west lobby of the
church. My daughter, Cindy, made all of the floral
arrangements for the tables.
I joined Trinity when I married my husband, Jim
Dorn, in 1970. Our four boys, Travis, Tyler, Trevor,
and Troy were baptized by Pastor James Nelson and
they all were confirmed at Trinity, too. Our second
son Tyler and his bride Kim were married at Trinity
and their daughter Katelyn was baptized here. The
funeral for our oldest son Travis was also held at
Trinity, so we had many happy times and one very
sad time all in which Trinity played a part.
As we belonged to Trinity over the years, we
met so many wonderful, caring people. There is
one couple that we have made many special
memories with. They are Dan and Glennis Schuelke
and their family. We had soup suppers together
during Lent that the youth would clean up after.
Dan taught Travis and Tyler how to run our
dishwasher in the Trinity kitchen. In the Christmas
pageant one year, Kristen Schuelke played Mary
and our son Travis played Joseph. Also, we worked
at the Emergency Shelter and shared the duties
there with Dan and Glennis. It always worked ou
fine, and after we were done, we got a bite to eat
and enjoyed our social time together. I also taught
Sunday school and on my last day of teaching,
Glennis put a bouquet of flowers in my classroom.
What a gal!
I also served as an altar care person,
communion assistant, and greeter. I also helped
Barb Haas with the church cookbooks. I have
enjoyed working with all of the great people at
Trinity.
Anna Faye Dodd
Anna Faye was very active in Sunday Church
School and Vacation Bible School for which she
taught and also served as a leader for the teachers
of three, four, and five year-olds. Anna Faye
advocated for the Head Start Program which met in
Trinity’s lower auditorium and kitchen. She
persuaded the Church Council to open Trinity’s
doors to this group and mediated any problems
between Head Start and Trinity.
August 4-13, 1989, we went on a youth trip
called “Westward Ho” with about 15 Trinity youth.
Our outgoing Tentmaker, Tom Stadem, planned this
trip and our incoming Tentmaker, Judy Hogen, went
also. We didn’t stay at any luxury motels; we slept
in sleeping bags on cots in church basements, a
park pavilion, and one night at a ski lodge. Our
Adults benefitted from Anna Faye’s commitment
to the Stephen Ministry Program. She recruited
Trinity members for Stephen Ministry and was a
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youth kids performed their musical talents at many
churches on the way to South Dakota. It was an
inspiring, faithful, and fun journey for all.
Skien, Norway. He had come to this country in
1980 as a member of the Norwegian Olympic
Cycling team. We hosted him and another
Norwegian cycler at our house. There, Heidi and
Dag became acquainted and later engaged. They
were married in 1981 at Trinity by Pastor James
Nelson. As a special favor, he performed part of the
ceremony in Norwegian. Austin and Judy Boncher
sang a duet (La Os Leve) in Norwegian for the
ceremony which was also very special. Dag’s family
of 10 members was hosted here by us and friends
for two weeks during that time.
Dean and Ann Einspahr
Dean and Ann Einspahr were married in 1946 in
Wall Lake, Iowa, which is Andy William’s
hometown. In 1948 their first child, son Larry, was
born on February 1st. Their daughter was born
seven years later in 1955 on the same date
(February 1st) with the same doctor and at the same
hospital. She was blessed with a name combining
both Dean and Ann. Shortly after DeAnn was born,
they moved to Appleton. Dean worked for Iowa
State University and Ann taught school in Ames
prior to their moving to Appleton. They attended a
Lutheran Church in Ames, Iowa. Dean came to
Appleton to work at The Institute of Paper
Chemistry.
Margie and I were members of the choir led by
Austin Boncher. We had many thrilling experiences
giving concerts at the church for Christmas, Easter,
and other special occasions. We felt our choir was
second to none and were proud to be part of it.
One memorable experience is that Jerry was to
have a short solo passage in one of the anthems at
the Christmas concert and was so listed in the
program. A member of Trinity at the time, Jerry
Otteson, had a similar name and also was somewhat
similar to our Jerry in appearance, both being blond
Norwegians. After the performance, many people
walked up to Jerry Otteson and complimented him
on his performance. He said, “Thank you very
much,” and took credit for the performance. We
were good friends and laughed about it many times.
Ann was a teacher for many years working at
Richmond and Huntley schools. After she received
her Master’s degree in reading, Ann traveled to
various schools as a reading specialist. Pastor
Kindem came to Appleton the same time as the
Einspahrs. Dean remembers Pastor Kindem
knocking at their door for a visit and after the visit
they decided to join Trinity. When the Kindems
were transferred, “Hap” their son, stayed with
Einspahrs in order to finish his senior year at
Appleton West.
Another memorable experience was arranging
for the Christmas star on the south wall of the
church. Jerry constructed the star, mounted, and
wired several lights to illuminate it. Requisitioning
volunteers and a bucket truck from the power
company, it was mounted up in the peak of the
south wall where it was used for many years.
Margie and Jerry Ellefson
We were welcomed as Trinity members in 1960
by Pastor Kindem after moving to Appleton and
beginning a career at Wisconsin Michigan Power
Co. At that time we had a family of two little girls,
Sonja and Heidi, and a newborn infant Jermond Jon.
Jerry Jon was baptized soon after joining. We
moved away in 1991 after Jerry retired.
We will not forget Trinity Lutheran Church nor
the many pastors, members, and friends we knew.
It was our family church as we raised our family.
We both served a term on the church council, too.
Our children, Sonja, Heidi, and Jermond Jon
were all confirmed at Trinity and I think received a
solid Christian foundation there. Our first
grandchild, DagOlav Selander, was also baptized
there.
Heidi (Ellefson) Selander
My family belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church
and I grew up in that church going to regular
Sunday worship services, attending Sunday School,
confirmation classes, participating in the choir and
youth group. I watched and was influenced by my
A most memorable occasion was the marriage of
our daughter, Heidi, to a boy, Dag Selander, from
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mother and father’s dedication to their church and
always putting God first in their lives. I saw them as
workers and participants in the church and I saw
Trinity as a very strong and healthy church
centered in the heart of Appleton.
Olympic boycott of the Moscow Olympics. We were
asked to host a couple of members of the team by
some of our Trinity church friends, Harold and
Mary Lovdahl, who were connected with the Sons
of Norway organization. The rest is history.
Mom and Dad both served on the church council
and I remember Mom being on the church council
when Trinity helped a Vietnamese family to
immigrate to the United States and how she poured
herself into that mission, sacrificing her time and
energy in making everything work out for this
young family from Vietnam. It really made an
impact on me. Dad was always a member of the
senior choir and for a while directed the youth
choir. He was dedicated to this ministry and served
in it all the years he was a member of the church.
Trinity was an immediate home to Dag as he
instantly made friends there who embraced him
and showed him so much warmth and love. We had
an amazing wedding at Trinity in the fall of 1981!
We were married by Pastor Jim Nelson who did his
best to speak a little Norwegian for our guests from
Norway.
While Dag and I were starting our lives together
and undecided about where to live, Trinity was in
need of a custodian and Dag needed a job, so his
first job in the U.S. was as a custodian for Trinity.
He is a carpenter and craftsman by trade so he also
took on the job of repairing some of the pews of the
church that needed some work. You can probably
still see his handiwork on some of the pews. Dag
and I have two sons who were both baptized at
Trinity by Pastor Luther Olson.
The senior choir was directed by Austin
Boncher who was an outstanding musician and
someone I always looked up to. I remember how he
would have music students from Lawrence
University often performing with the choir or as
special music which was always outstanding.
The organ at Trinity is a beautiful majestic
instrument and I always loved to hear the sound of
it as we sang hymns of praise. The choir I was in
was the youth choir directed by Karl Eriksen. I
always loved the music ministry (and still do) and
felt I was where God wanted me to be when I was
there.
We now live in Hudson, Wisconsin, where we
are members of Bethel Lutheran Church and where
I am still a part of the music ministry.
Betty Emmanuel
I originally came from Eau Claire, Wisconsin,
and my husband Dick came from Augusta. We met
on a blind date. After we married, we were
involved in a church in Mondovia before the LCA
existed. Dick and I came to Appleton when Dick’s
job as a teacher and coach brought us here.
My confirmation years were rich with
friendships and fun and there were teachers who
encouraged and guided me and helped me grow
and understand my faith. We had a youth minister,
(can’t remember his name, I think it was Chris?)
anyway I remember he took a group of us to the
new movie, “Jesus Christ Super Star” and
afterwards we went to a restaurant and discussed
our thoughts on the film. This was probably my
first small group Bible study!
We found Trinity in August of 1953. A Pastor
from Zion visited us several times but we decided to
join Trinity instead. We had three girls and one
boy. Three were baptized at Trinity, four were
confirmed at Trinity, and two had their weddings at
Trinity. I taught Sunday School at Trinity with Anna
Faye Dodd and was in Bible study with Jan Pirner.
Through my college years I loved coming home
and attending worship at Trinity. It was my home
church and a place where I felt safe and loved and
at peace.
Wanda Fischer – Confirmation
I met my husband Dag in the summer of 1980
after I had graduated from college. He was from
Norway and came with the Norwegian Olympic
cycling team that was in Wisconsin as a result of the
I was confirmed at Trinity in May of 1972, just
three months after my father died. We took a
confirmation trip that I remember well as it was a
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great getaway during this time of my life. We took a
bus ride around Lake Michigan. Roger was the bus
driver and Barbara Haas was our chief cook. The
trip consisted of driving to various churches,
sightseeing, and sleeping at those church stops.
There are several that I remember well. One was in
the Chicago area and we slept in the basement of
the church. We also visited “Little Chicago”.
there were many aunts, uncles, and cousins who
also attended Trinity. William (Bill) and Gert
Cotter, Ernie and Josephine Henke, Gordy and Lori
Cotter, to name a few and then our parents Ralph
and Evelyn Cotter. I believe all of the children were
baptized at Trinity.
I remember going to Sunday School, and there
was a very large picture of Jesus hanging on the
wall. I believe that Judy (Omen) Tischauser or her
mom, Verona Omen, was the teacher at the time.
When I was younger my mother did not drive, so in
order for us to be able go to Vacation Bible School,
someone else from church would pick up my sister,
Mary Cotter Lindsley, and me to go. This person,
Phyllis Bouchard, sits toward the back of the church
to this day.
Another memorable stop was in Battle Creek,
Michigan, and touring the Kellogg’s Company. We
saw ladies sitting on stools next to the cereal line,
dressed in all white including white gloves, hair
covered with white bonnets, and dropping prizes
into cereal boxes. The next memorable stop was in
Mackinaw, Michigan, at St. Ignace where we went to
Mackinaw Island. Barbara Haas would use kitchen
facilities of the churches we stayed in to prepare
our meals. However, when we were in upper
Michigan, we were blessed to have pasties. It was
my first taste of one and I was not very impressed.
Today, however, I enjoy them!
I participated in the usual things, Sunday School,
Vacation Bible School, children's choir (led by our
still present Mitzi Britton) and going to Pine Lake
Camp multiple years. Going to camp was a big plus
for my sister and me. We received campership
scholarships from a church in Green Bay. We did
not realize that our parents could not afford it, so
we considered it a gift. Our parents had us write
thank you notes to the generous givers.
Part of confirmation “back in the day” was
receiving first communion. I do not recall having
any distinctive first communion training. What we
were told was that as part of the confirmation
process we would get communion for the first time.
In doing this, while kneeling around the altar, we
were to put the wafer in our mouth and start to
chew it immediately to prevent it from sticking to
the roof of our mouth. What I remember actually
happening is that I tried to do that, but the wafer
went right to the roof of my mouth and it was stuck.
I started to laugh and fell back on my feet while
kneeling at the communion rail. That was a
memory I will never forget.
Our father was a big believer in education and
he did a door-to-door campaign to assist in building
funds for Carthage College. Ironically, that is where
our daughter Wendy went for her four year
teaching degree.
We always had a big garden at our home. Mary
and I have fond memories of our father taking us
along to deliver fresh raspberries and produce to
the pastors living in the church owned home. I
remember Pastors Kindem and Waggoner at the
house which is still standing on the corner just
across from Edison grade school.
Wanda Fischer - Family
My grandparents were Harry and Ida Cotter. I
believe they were the first generation of the Cotter
Clan to belong to Trinity. I was told that my
grandmother (whom I never knew as she passed in
1952) was very involved with the women at Trinity.
My informant was a prominent and longtime
parishioner at the time, Viola Chandler.
Although our family was a long time member of
Trinity, our parents were not married there. Our
mother, Evelyn Schultz Cotter, belonged to St. Paul
Lutheran Church and shortly after their wedding,
came to Trinity. I remember going to many family
potluck dinners in the lower auditorium at Trinity.
Our mother was our guide, as our father passed
away on March 15, 1972, when I was 14 and Mary
was 15. That was just two months before my
confirmation in May of 1972. That was a tough
I was also very young when my grandfather
passed in 1962. I do remember visiting him when
he was residing at the City Home. Since he was
from a family of 11 children, in my early years,
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time in my life, and although I did not regularly go
to church often, it was never far away.
Wendy was married in Green Bay at the church she
joined when relocating there after college as she
pursued her teaching career. Amelia played her
harp at Wendy's wedding and Bette played the
organ. These were great gifts to Wendy as they
were both instrumental in her faith journey.
On November 26, 1976, I was married to Allen
Fischer by Pastor James Nelson. Pastor Nelson was
a friend to our family and helped us through our
dad's death. I went to school and was friends with
his daughter Krista. We went to parties at each
other's houses and went through confirmation
together. I remember him telling me, just before I
walked down the long aisle at Trinity, that "your
father would be proud of you". It has been 38+
years and that thought is still in the forefront of my
mind. We had the pleasure of having Austin
Boncher sing the Lord’s Prayer at our wedding. Al
joined Trinity after we were married for 5 years.
Our parents always loved Sharon Radke’s voice but
she was not available to sing for our father’s
funeral. But both Sharon sang and Bette Wibracht
played the organ for our mother’s funeral.
I myself became involved in the youth
committee when our children were of that age.
Mary and I taught Sunday School together and I also
taught VBS. I would have to take the week off of
work so my kids could attend, so I decided that I
could teach. I also enjoyed working with the three
and four year-olds. Several of the years we
collaborated with other churches. One year we
were with Zion and met at Zion Lutheran Church.
One message that stuck with me, and I now
share with my grandchildren, was given by one of
the Pastors. To Pray: “You don’t have to fold your
hands. You don’t have to bow your head. You don’t
have to close your eyes. You just need to open your
heart!!!”
Al and I had two children together, Wendy Lynn
(Fischer) Theobald (5-27-77) and Scott David
Fischer (2-12-80). When they arrived, they were
fourth generation members of Trinity. Our children
were very active at church. It was a time with many
youth and there were many opportunities to be
involved. Both Wendy and Scott participated in
children choir led by Bette Wibracht. After being in
children’s choir for three years with perfect
attendance, Wendy and Scott each received a green
hymnal with their names engraved in gold on the
cover. Bette was truly instrumental in their music
education; more so than the public school system.
They also played in several handbell choirs. At the
time there were three choirs and, as they aged, they
progressed through the choirs. Bette also pulled
together young adults she knew from the
community for a special bell choir that played at
special events at Thrivent and with the former
White Heron Choir.
My mother, I guess, was instrumental with my
involvement in the evening Bible study group and
the Lutheran Church Women group, prior to the
formation for the ELCA and the Women of the ELCA.
For several years I was on the board as secretary.
At first I was the only one under 25 in the group,
then 30!! After a while it just did not make a
difference. I remember Viola Chandler approaching
me saying she was glad there were some younger
women becoming involved.
I currently have a passion for staying involved
in the Women of the ELCA and am on the planning
committee for the Appleton chapter. It is a way to
stay connected with women from other churches.
Now I continue to stay involved by helping with
many events at Trinity and participating in the bell
choir and vocal choir, Trinity Belles. I participated
in adult choir for several years while the kids were
in children’s choir. It was quite a task as we sang at
opposite services, so many Sundays I was there for
four or more hours! I also enjoy reading the
scriptures, serving communion and helping with
children's time.
Our children went to Pine Lake Camp for at least
eight years, multiple youth gatherings, brat fries,
mission trips, Spokefolk Tours, and boundary water
trips. Tent makers Tom and Judy Stadem, and
Amelia Hawkins, to name a few, were instrumental
in the growth and development of the youth
programs.
Now I have the pleasure of taking my
grandchildren to summer camp. Three generations
have been going to the same camp, Pine Lake.
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Barbara Haas
Marilyn (Pingel) Jacobson
Barbara served Trinity Lutheran Church in a
variety of ways. Her leadership ability led her to be
the first woman elected President of the Church
Council. She faithfully attended to the duties
involved whether they were large or small. Barbara
delivered communion to Trinity homebound
members, visiting them at least once monthly. Her
service brought happiness to the recipients.
(Former member baptized, confirmed, and married
at Trinity)
It was probably 1942 or 1943 when I was in
confirmation class and attended my first Bible
Camp, which was then held at Green Lake, WI.
There were several young people from Trinity
there. One of the lecture-type classes that we had
to attend was extremely dull, at least as far as most
of us from Trinity were concerned. Someone in our
group suggested that the next day we should skip
that class and walk down to Harold and Leone
Ferron’s cottage (Leone was the organist at
Trinity), which was just a couple lots down from the
edge of the camp. Ferrons were not there during
the week, but it was determined that they wouldn’t
mind if we just sat on their dock!
Because of her interest in cooking, Barbara
chaired committees which published Trinity
Cookbooks. She was the moving force behind the
1974 and l980 editions and was in the midst of a
third volume when she died in 2007.
Professionally, Barbara was a chemist who did
research at the Institute of Paper Chemistry as well
as private paper companies. Barbara was an active
volunteer in numerous community organizations.
As an Appleton Medical Center volunteer she
chaired the annual geranium sale for many years.
She was involved in American Association of
University Women and Highlands Elementary
School Parent Teacher Association.
So, the next morning sometime before the start
of the boring class, we (probably 12-15 of us)
walked over to Ferron’s dock. It was a beautiful
day, and we were all enjoying just sitting along the
edge of the dock.
It wasn’t long before the Dean of the camp and
one or two other pastors came walking toward us!
They marched all of us back into the class,
instructing us that when they called attention to us
during the noon meal, we were all to stand up!
Well, not a word was ever said during lunch about
what we had done, but the nervousness among our
group was enough to teach us a lesson about not
skipping class anymore! Needless to say, I don’t
think any of us enjoyed lunch that day!
Helen Heil
Helen was an influential Trinity member. She
served on the finance committee and the
evangelism committee—both of which offered real
challenges. Helen also served on the church
council, participated in Lutheran Church Women,
and represented Trinity at Synod Assemblies.
Helen attended congregational meetings diligently
and had the confidence and courage to question
that which she didn’t understand and to voice her
opinion regarding important decisions.
Jim Wilch, who later became a pastor, was in our
delinquent group; and I often wondered if he ever
talked of this experience to any of his confirmation
classes!
Professionally, she was the Executive Director
of the Appleton Housing Authority from 1977 to
1992. Through this experience she became aware
of the housing needs of low-income elderly and
advocated for their needs. She served on the Board
of Fox Valley Lutheran Homes and strongly
supported the establishment of Linwood Place.
Helen was an active member of many community
organizations. She was elected to the Appleton
Board of Education. She volunteered with League
of Women Voters and Church Women United, Fox
Valley.
I have fond memories of singing in Trinity’s
choir in the late 1940s. My brother Earl Pingel also
sang in it, along with Pete Mohr, Miles Hanna, and I
think perhaps Carl Roehl and others were in it.
Florence Krabbe would sometimes sing a solo, and
Leone Ferron was the organist. I remember a few
of the other women in it but I'm not sure of their
names – Lillian Oertl(sp?) and her sister Lorraine
Denicious(sp?), Nadine Greunke, and maybe Leone
Fahrenkrug. Merrick Nelson directed the choir and
I think there must have been 20-25 members or so.
Of course, this was in the old church, so we always
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would march in from the back of the church and go
up into the choir loft in the front left side of the
church. We wore black robes – with white collars, I
think!
long to feel at home at the church and with children
of many different ages, we fast became involved in
many different aspects of church life.
I have enjoyed being a member of Trinity for
almost 62 years so far. It has always been an
important part of my life and I have made many
good friends through the years.
On June 24, 1955, my husband Earl and I were
blessed with the birth of our first child – a daughter
Karla. In 1955, Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley had
more polio cases per capita than anywhere in the
United States. Also, the Salk vaccine for polio did
not become available until sometime that year.
People with babies and young children were
advised to stay away from crowds. Therefore, we
had Karla baptized privately one evening at Trinity,
with only a few family members present. Pastor
Kindem performed the baptism.
Erick Jensen
On the way home from skiing one Saturday with
Pastor Kevin Ruffcorn, I fell asleep. When I woke
up, I apologized for falling asleep on him. He
replied that it was okay because he had been
practicing his sermon for the next day in his head.
I said, “I hope you get a better response to your
sermon tomorrow.”
Trinity holds many memories for me over the
years and has a special place in my heart. I was
baptized there in 1930 by Reverend Bosserman,
confirmed in 1944 by Reverend Zeidler, and
married there in 1950 by Reverend Zeidler. In
1955, Reverend Luhn (Assistant Pastor at Trinity,
1955-1957) came to visit at our home upon the
birth of our daughter Karla. Then, in 1957, Pastor
Luhn became the Mission Developer for starting a
church in northwest Neenah where we lived. So, in
1958, we became charter members of St. Mark’s
Lutheran Church, and Pastor Luhn served as its first
pastor until 1961.
Julius Family
Along with the guidance of our parents, Kenneth
and June Julius, we are truly grateful for the role
Trinity Lutheran Church has played in the shaping
of our lives. Our father, Kenneth Julius, was born in
1918 and began attending Trinity Lutheran Church,
along with his parents, when he was very young.
However, because he wasn't baptized at Trinity, he
wasn't an official member until he was confirmed in
1932. Many of our father's relatives belonged to
Trinity, and our mother joined after they were
married in 1950.
Annelise Jensen
A strange coincidence that led us to Trinity
happened the last Sunday we attended church at
The Church of the Good Shepherd in Houghton,
Michigan, before moving to Appleton. Our bulletin
had a photo of Trinity English Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. The church had
been renovated and the picture was taken the day
of the dedication. Since Trinity was the closest
Lutheran church to our new home, it was very
natural that we went to that church. Pastor Kindem
welcomed us on our first Sunday and then the next
night he came to our home to tell us more about
Trinity. What he had to say made us think that
Trinity was a good place for our family to worship.
All four of us children were baptized and
confirmed at Trinity. Sunday mornings were
extremely busy for us because we grew up on a
dairy farm in the Town of Greenville. A lot of work
had to be done before leaving for church, and our
parents were very conscientious about making sure
we attended every Sunday. It was understood that
if we didn't go along to church on Sunday morning,
we wouldn't be going anywhere else the rest of the
day either!
Over the years there had been several family
activities for Trinity members held on our farm.
They were usually held in the fall and included a
hayride, followed by eating and singing around a
campfire.
It was a warm and sunny fall day on Sunday
October 6, 1963, when Kris and I, along with our
five children, Peter-8, Helen-7, Alice-3, Karen-2, and
Erick-10 months, joined Trinity. It did not take us
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John Julius
Below you will find a few things that come to
mind from each of us:
During the mid-1960s, Pastor Waggoner
organized weekly evening meetings for youth to
come to "rap" about the issues of the day. During
the often-forgotten turbulence from that era, youth
had many tremendous concerns, such as possibly
ending up in Vietnam, as well as the racial relations
and the rioting which were taking place. At one
point, we went to Milwaukee where there had been
rioting and some mostly black congregations had
their churches firebombed or burned. We were
divided up and sent home with several black
families of one congregation where we would spend
the night. I remember the family I went home with
prepared pancakes and sausage for breakfast for
me the next morning.
John treasures the wonderful sermons of Pastor
Thearle. He has many memories of the sincere
kindliness of Mayme Roehl who had served as the
Sunday School Superintendent and later often
prepared the altar on Sunday mornings.
He also remembers when an attempt to be more
contemporary took place by having a band come in
and play. He recalls them playing "Quinn the
Eskimo" and that afterwards his grandmother
wasn't too keen on the whole ordeal.
Jim admired the huge Christmas trees which
adorned Trinity during the Christmas seasons.
They were decorated with beautiful ornaments and
trimmings, along with artificial snow. He thought
the graham crackers and milk always served as the
snack at Vacation Bible School were great! He
recalls all the carpooling (with the Steudels and
Grewes) that took place in order to get to catechism
classes on Wednesdays.
I am forever grateful to Pastor Waggoner for the
lessons of empathy and understanding which that
trip gave to me. The lessons of questioning
authority, responsibility to change the world, and
advocacy for "causes" were given to us by the
leadership of Pastors Thearle and Waggoner.
As a child, Jean loved the sound of Trinity's pipe
organ and all the beautiful and reflective music
which emanated from the choir loft. She is so
thankful to have had the opportunity to later be a
choir member under the direction of the awesome
Austin Boncher. Jean also loved lambs and
remembers the two occasions when they were
asked to bring a lamb to church on Sunday. We
brought in lambs for Pastor Wayne Schmidt and
several years later for Pastor Russ Creydt. I
remember both of them holding their lamb for a
rather lengthy time during part of the church
service.
Hilkka Kaustinen
Ola and Hilkka were married in Finland in 1951.
Their firstborn, a son named Columbus, was born in
1952. Ola originally came to Appleton from Finland
to work at the Institute of Paper Chemistry. He was
in Appleton for several years alone, as Hilkka had
trouble getting a Visa to come to the United States.
After Hilkka came to Appleton, she and Ola
became part of the Scandinavian Club. Kris and
Annelise Jensen, as well as Eldrid and Ulla Ellestad
were also a part of that group, and also went to
Trinity Lutheran. “Ola was more churchy than I
was,” Hilkka said and wanted to find a congregation
that he was comfortable with. He visited many
churches in Appleton, but Trinity was the closest to
the churches he attended back home in Finland.
They started to attend Trinity in 1956.
Jerry still has the cross that his very special
Sunday School teacher, Doug Steward, gave to his
students at the end of the class. He also admired
the readings and teachings of a special Trinity
member by the name of Miles Hanna. He inspired
Jerry to later become a reader, as well as a council
member at Trinity, and Jerry actually had Miles
Hanna do the readings at his wedding.
Their second child, Eva, was born in 1957. Eva
was in Sunday School with Wanda Cotter Fischer
and both were confirmed at Trinity in 1972. Their
third child, Pia, was born in 1959 and was
confirmed at Trinity in 1974.
Thank you, Trinity!
John, James, Jean (Goffard), and Jerold Julius
The year 1967 was a trying time for Hilkka. Ola
passed away suddenly and her son Columbus
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moved to Chippewa Falls for special care. It was
important to Hilkka to be able to spend as much
time as she could with Columbus during this
transition for him. She was troubled as to what she
should do with the girls now. She heard that others
at the Scandinavian Club sent their daughters away
for the summers. So Hilkka thought about it and
decided that she would send Eva and Pia, at age 10
and 8, to Finland for the summer. Wanda
remembers this as Hilkka shared her story because
Wanda and Eva were pen pals that summer, writing
many letters back and forth. Wanda remembers the
thin paper used for writing and the blue and red
striped envelopes she had to use for airmail back
then.
brother, Rick, off for youth group --- a frustrated
Pastor Nelson when our confirmation class didn’t
do so well on our confirmation exam --- Pastor
Creydt playing his keyboard for Sunday service --being a frustrated single-mom of three trying to
keep them from crawling under the pews --- my
son, Jason, playing in the handbell choir --- the
overwhelming support of my Trinity family when
my son, Ben, died --- sending my daughter,
Stephanie, off on her confirmation trip to South
Dakota --- teaching Sunday School and playing Mary
in several Christmas pageants.
A Lifetime of Memories!
A lifelong member, I was baptized at Trinity on
June 10, 1956. My earlier memories are of lots of
potlucks. I’m wasn’t sure what they were for, but I
did learn that Lutherans liked to eat. Dressing up in
our best Sunday ‘dresses’ … no pants for girls back
then … and going directly to ‘our family pew’. Uncle
Billy and Aunt Gert, sat a few pews in front of us
along with Aunt Josephine and Uncle Ernie. I also
remember the walks between the Masonic Temple
and church when the renovations were being done
in the early 1960s. I remember trips off to Pine
Lake Camp when the Cotter girls joined the
Kaustinen girls, Eva and Pia, for a week of fun; and
also Vacation Bible School with Jimmy Johnson and
the Bouchard kids.
Hilkka also shared a story about one of the first
times she went to church at Trinity. The organ
started playing and she recognized the tune being
similar to a Finish song she knew. “I started to cry
like crazy,” she said. She laughed recalling that
Pastor Kindem looked right at her and wondered
why she was crying. She did not share why with
him, but he had noticed.
When Pia started kindergarten, Hilkka went
back to work. Hilkka also worked at The Institute
of Paper Chemistry as a chemical engineer. During
her last years there, she worked with Dean
Einspahr who was a division leader at the Institute.
Leanne Meidam Wincentsen
Janice Liebscher
I know that each of us treasure many memories
from Trinity; baptisms, first communion,
confirmation, weddings, and funerals. We may
remember a Sunday School class, confirmation
sleepover, certain sermons, and times we have
spent with friends at Trinity. The two stories I
chose to share are my strongest memories and I
hold them in my heart.
In 1962, our family moved to Appleton from
Madison because of a job change. We “settled in”
and then started looking for a church we could
attend. The first (and only) church we visited was
Trinity Lutheran Church and we immediately liked
it. They had several services Sunday mornings and
even had Sunday School at the same time as one of
the services, which made it very nice. Within a few
weeks, Millie and Pete Mohr came to our house and
invited us to join the church, and we did! Millie and
Pete have supported me with friendship ever since.
During Sunday worship in my childhood I went
forward with many other children for children's
sermon. Pastor Russell Creydt selected three of us
to stand and he handed each of us a glass. He held a
pitcher of water. He went to the first child and said
that many people love us, such as friends, and he
poured water into the glass until it was half full. He
turned to the next child and said that we have some
people who love us with all of their heart, such as
our family. He poured water into the second glass
until it was full. Pastor Creydt walked to me. I was
Mary Lindsley
Lifetime Memories of Trinity:
My mom preparing a casserole for a church
potluck --- sitting in our designated pew and seeing
Uncle Billy with Aunt Gert and Aunt Josephine and
Uncle Ernie sitting up ahead --- dropping my
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nervous and did not know what to expect. He told
us that God's love for us is abundant. He asked us if
we knew what abundant meant and he started to
pour water into the glass I was holding. He did not
stop when the glass was full. He continued to pour
water as the front of my Sunday dress became wet.
I saw a puddle was spreading on the carpet and I
was horrified. I looked at Pastor Creydt and he
smiled at me and told me not to worry about the
mess, as he continued to pour more and more water
into my glass. He then explained that abundant
meant overflowing. God's love for each of us is
abundant, overflowing, never-ending.
a difference from the first time we had attended.
There were more people and a more positive
energy. We liked the pastor’s down-to-earth,
relatable style and thought he had a good message.
After the service, a member was talking with us
about the confirmation program and it sounded like
a good fit for our son. Not long after that Sunday,
we decided to join Trinity. Now, one year later,
we’re glad we did!
Pete and Millie Mohr
We arrived in Appleton in 1948 so we have been
members for 66 years. Pete arrived first to begin
his Optometry practice and to find a home for the
family. He lived at the YMCA and got acquainted
with Warren Pechman, an Intern at Trinity under
Rev. Zeidler. He invited Pete to visit Trinity which
later led us to join the church. Pete joined the choir
soon after and was a member for many years. Pete
was active on the softball team and volleyball team
and Lutheran Men’s Club. He also served on the
church council.
Decades later, a year after my much loved
mother had died; I began to cry as I drove to Sunday
morning worship. I wished I had one more hug
from my mother. My mom had been unable to give
me a hug once she became ill. I asked God to help
me remember the last 'Mom hug’ I had received. I
was a little late to worship and I hurried toward the
pew I normally sat in. I looked up and noticed that
there were other people in 'my' pew and took an
immediate right to sit where I was. I sang the
hymns, said the prayers, listened to the sermon, and
soon it was time to share the peace. I hugged each
of my children and then stood to shake hands with
my neighbors. Lorna Dorn turned around and I
extended my hand to her with a warm smile. Lorna
quickly extended both arms and gave a me a strong,
long 'Mom hug'. I was stunned! God gave me what
I asked for. God gave me what I needed. I believe
that God helped me to be late for worship and put
others into the pew I normally sat in. I believe that
God put me behind Lorna. God worked through
Lorna. She has always been a wonderful caring
woman, but now I see her as an instrument of God.
Every time I see Lorna, I remember her 'Mom hug'
and God's abundant, overflowing, never-ending
love.
I was a Sunday School teacher and Vacation
Bible School teacher, and have also been active in
ladies’ organizations including being on the board
of Church Women United for 60 years. I am also
still involved in Bible studies and helping serve
funeral meals for many years.
We had one daughter baptized at Trinity and
one daughter married at Trinity. We are so
thankful for the many wonderful friends we made
and the years of worshipping at Trinity.
Kari A Mor
(Granddaughter of Dorothy Webers)
My grandma was a long-time member of Trinity
Lutheran Church. It is where she met, and came to
know, her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; for which
she was eternally grateful. All the friends she met
at Trinity (which she called 'her extended family')
brought her great joy along with many wonderful
memories. In memory of Dorothy Webers
Brenda Miller
We were new to Appleton and searching for a
church home. We attended Trinity one Sunday
morning. It was a nice service with an interim
pastor, but there were few people in attendance.
We kept trying out different churches.
Judy Natz
One day, a few months later, we saw on the
Trinity website that a new pastor had been called.
So we decided to try again. Right away, we noticed
This is the story of my parent’s choice to join
Trinity in 1954 with three small children, myself
and two older brothers. They joined church for
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their children, so we could be in Boy Scouts and Girl
Scouts. Two more children joined our family by
1959, baptized and raised in the church. First
communions and confirmations all made my
parents very proud. Our family had many special
times at Trinity. My dad’s funeral in 1969 and then
weddings and grandchildren and greatgrandchildren were all welcomed into Trinity. My
mother, in her last 20 to 25 years of life, always sat
in the chapel so she could see her children and
grandchildren up in front of church.
life and amazing things can happen. Thank you
ladies!
John and Carol Palmquist
Our family has had a very unique way of
connecting to Trinity. First, my father, Rev. Wilbur
N. Palmquist, spent a year coming out of retirement
to serve at Trinity under Pastor Kindem some fifty
years ago. He previously served parishes in Omaha,
Nebraska, Marquette, Michigan, and Chicago,
Illinois. At Trinity his role involved attending to
needs of senior members with occasional preaching
and other duties. At this time, Carol and I, along
with son David, were living in Monmouth, Illinois.
The chapel was always full with many beautiful
people; Bud Storch, Ruth HuttenBerg, Joyce Able,
Carral Johnson, Joyce Lippold, Doug and Marion
Steward, and many more. My mother came to
church on Sundays when her health was not failing.
She loved Trinity, all the pastors, children, and
adults. She was very strong in her faith and love for
Trinity. She passed away in 2006 and left us with
her love and compassion for giving. In memory of
Ethel Vaubel, your loving daughter, Judy
Shortly after leaving Marquette and arriving in
Chicago, Dad went back to Marquette in search of a
site for escape from the heat and humidity of the
Chicago summer. Eventually, family and friends
constructed cabins on the Lake Superior shore that
served as a summer retreat and reunion for the
family at large. In 1964, when Carol and I, along
with David and newborn daughter Kirsten, were
planning our annual trip to ‘the lake’, my father
suggested we take a break on our drive and stop at
Trinity in Appleton. We did and enjoyed a tour of
the sanctuary and rested briefly in the Fireside
Room. Little did we know that four years later we
would move to Appleton where I began teaching
geology at Lawrence College.
The tears ran down my face one Sunday
morning, at the children’s Christmas program. My
heart was full of joy and hope for the future of my
three year-old daughter standing in front of church
with a white robe and halo on her head. The Trinity
youth gave a wonderful Christmas program every
year. The program was always beautiful and full of
surprises. With all the rehearsals and work the
Sunday School staff put in it always ended up
working out. In my 12 years of teaching Sunday
School, I had my share of Christmas programs. All
of them were a gift from God.
Naturally, we joined Trinity and were warmly
welcomed by those who had become friends of my
folks, Wilbur (Wibs) and Amy. Thus, we had readymade friends who invited us out socially as well as
telling tales of the times they had with my parents.
One story was that on Trinity’s fiftieth anniversary
Wibs had the congregation sing ‘Happy Birthday to
Trinity’ at the Sunday service.
I remember my confirmation in 1965. We had
long white robes that we wore for the worship
service. Twenty minutes before church started, I
stumbled down the steps as I caught the heel of my
shoe on my robe. I got a bloody nose which bled all
through the service, including communion. This
was a time at Trinity that was most embarrassing
and an important time of my life.
My growing up years in Marquette were special
in many ways, but whenever I encountered
Finlanders or other legal immigrants from the
Upper Peninsula at Trinity I was able to have a
special bond with them. Pastors Kurt and Mary
Beth Kovanen are among those in that category.
Also included is Pastor Nancy Amacher who after
serving at Trinity was called to serve Messiah,
Marquette, the same parish my father served in
Marquette. While she was there we could still
I love Trinity because of the people. They are
caring, compassionate, loving, strong, and helpful. I
would not have been able to teach Sunday School
for 20 years without the help of Glennis, Sharon,
Lorna, and my daughter, Tracy. I learned a lot
about my faith and church family. I never thought I
could sing or ring bells, thank you Wanda. She
pushed me and God took over. Let God into your
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worship in the summer with ‘our Trinity pastor’ in
Marquette.
projects for the church including making
draperies and the formerly used blue skirts for the
handbell tables.
Carlyn Pingel
Mary Robertson
(Former member and mother of Susan Suprise)
From Susan: My parents were married by Pastor
Zeidler on Oct. 14, 1950. My father, Earl Pingel, had
also been baptized and confirmed at Trinity. Five of
my parents’ seven children, including me, were also
baptized at Trinity.
It was 1990. Our family had been trying to
support our mom, who had recently battled sepsis
and as a result was required to have a below-theknee amputation. We were all struggling with the
impact this would have on her life. We were asking
"Why? Why our mom?” It was a stressful time for
all of us. At the time both the Schuelke and
Robertson kids were a part of Trinity's handbell
choir under the direction of Bette Wibracht. The
choir decided to surprise our Mom and play for her
at St. Elizabeth Hospital. She was so thrilled to
watch her four grandchildren and the other youth
of the handbell choir present a concert just for her
at the hospital, while she was in rehab. Our family
will never forget that afternoon concert! It was a
very moving experience for our mom.
From Carlyn Pingel:
Our two oldest sons, Eric and Dean, were in the
Sunday School Christmas program in the mid-50s.
They were to wear pajamas and slippers. Of course,
Dean was being his stubborn self and didn’t want to
go to the front of the church in pajamas & slippers.
By the time he should go up front for the program,
he had broken the zippers on his slippers. He and
another little boy had to be pulled out from under a
pew.
When we would take Dean to Sunday School, he
would be on the floor crying and kicking. His
Sunday school teacher, Susan Dahm (spelling?)
would say to just leave him, which we did. She
somehow got him to settle down and behave. He
now lives in Marshfield, WI, and is a Lutheran
minister in Hewitt. Who would have ever
predicted that outcome?
One of my fondest memories is our Trinity
youth participating in Spokefolk. Our daughter
participated in several of these ministries along
with other youth from Trinity. Spokefolk is a biking
and music ministry. Spokefolkers would bike many
miles during the day and stay each night at a host
congregation where they would put on an evening
worship service. Those services, led by youth, were
so inspiring and so meaningful. God's message was
shared by enthusiastic youth to reach out to
everyone!
My daughter, Susan, is named after that same
Sunday School teacher. We were going to name
her Lisa but her brothers, Eric and Dean, said they
were going to call her Susan - after their favorite
teacher. Susan, the teacher, was also Dr. Rae
Simenson's office nurse. Dr. Simenson was the
doctor who delivered our daughter, Susan. Dr.
Simenson also served on the church council with
my husband.
Audrey Mattes Schiedermayer
I visited Trinity in 1945 as a freshman at
Lawrence College. In 1946, my parents and brother
moved to Appleton and we joined Trinity in 1947.
A fellow student named Larry Schiedermayer and I
joined a group called The Lutheran Student
Association which was sponsored by Trinity
Lutheran Church and mentored by Trinity member
Irv Isenberg. Larry joined Trinity about 1949 and
we were married by Pastor Clemens Zeidler in
1951.
Susan was baptized on a cold Sunday in
December. We had parked far from the church
entrance so my husband suggested that we walk
through the parsonage. I didn't think that was
proper but we did it anyway. We didn't want baby
Susan to get a chill!
My bother Jarv began assisting Pastor Ziedler
from 1949 to 1952 during Jarv’s years at Lawrence;
he then went on to attend Northwest Lutheran
Seminary and was ordained on June 5, 1955.
I have a lot of fond memories of Trinity. My
husband, Earl, served on the council for many
years. His mother, Gladys Pingel, did many sewing
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like “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night”. The
horses seemed to sway to the music, too. There
was a sense of a presence of wonder and awe with
God’s peace and love for all.
Larry and I moved to Detroit immediately after
our wedding. We returned to Appleton in 1956 and
joined Trinity’s mission church Our Saviours, along
with my parents. In 1984, we transferred back to
Trinity and at the time Rev. Luther Olson was
Senior Pastor.
Afterward, folks petted some of the horses and
Millie and Pete Mohr fed carrots to Jubilee. Ask
them about that. We had refreshments and snacks,
too. The stable service meant so much to me
because of Jesus being born in one. Did you ever
wonder why? He was a King. He should have been
born in a palace, but no, He was to be born in a
stable, a lowly humble modest simple stable. It was
in the plan to be in a stable surrounded only by
simple creatures of the earth.
One of the “extra activities” that are in our fond
memories was a Trinity group called “The
Retirement Group”. It began as a Bible study group
with Ken and Dorothy Moburg and Larry and me.
We invited any Trinity member near our vintage in
age to join us. It didn’t take long before we had 18
to 20 members meeting monthly in our home,
taking trips to family cottages and restaurants, or
touring places like Rawhide, etc.
SPECIAL MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE
We had a meaningful Maundy Thursday service
and potluck in the lower level of Trinity. The tables
were put together to represent a cross. Everyone
shared a meal and communion just as Jesus and his
disciples did many years ago. Little things like this
make Trinity Lutheran Church special for me.
Marilyn Schucknecht
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE IN A STABLE
DECEMBER 2005 & 2006
I wanted to bring the real meaning of Christmas
to Trinity folks and share that feeling. We all know
that Jesus was born in a stable.
Glennis Schuelke
What wonderful opportunities I’ve had at
Trinity to make new friends. I count Jim and Lorna
Dorn among them. My introduction to Jim and
Lorna came when they chaperoned the first youth
trip that my daughter went on. I told her I was
writing this and asked for a story about chaperone
Jim, but she said she couldn’t recall any she would
feel good about sharing with her mother!
I asked Pastors Kurt and Mary Beth Kovanen if
we could have a service in the stable where I
boarded my horse. They agreed, and DBT Stables
agreed. I told friends to bring apples and carrots as
horses love them, especially my horse Jubilee.
After the first service I wrote this – “The stable
was decorated with a Christmas tree and stockings
were hung on all the stall doors. People started to
arrive and mingle inside. Our mother, in her
eighties, even came out and enjoyed the service.”
That’s a special memory for Ken and me, too.
Parents had many opportunities to take part in
fundraisers for the youth. Dan and I grilled many a
brat with Jim. Jim was not aware that you could
grill brats without the beer. How many of you that
supported our brat fry events knew that your brats
were marinated in beer? Remember the “kosher”
brats that we grilled Jim? What a good salesman
you were!
People were anxious to see the horses, cats, and
dogs. We were all bundled up and snug in warm
clothes, hats, boots, and blankets because the
temperature was ten below zero. We sat on hay
bales that were in front of the horse stalls. We
listened to the crunching noise of horses eating
their hay. The rich aromas of hay and animal filled
our nostrils. (This is a good smell). The stillness
became something grandeur and holy as we
listened to the pastors tell the story of Jesus born in
a stable. We all enjoyed the guitar music and songs
We now volunteer at the Emergency Shelter and
continue to cook with Jim and Lorna. We gave Jim
the job of making the “instant” mashed potatoes
once. Of course, he had never done this since in
their kitchen they peeled their potatoes. But he
went ahead, followed the directions, and came up
with some nice smooth mashed potatoes.
Comments from the residents ranged from
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“potatoes are a little salty” to “WOW these are the
saltiest potatoes I’ve ever tasted!” Seems Lorna
hadn’t taught Jim the difference between teaspoons
(as called for in the directions) and the tablespoons
of salt that Jim added. His comment when we
discovered what had happened was “I hope they
don’t do a blood pressure check here tonight!!!”
don’t know about it as of yet. Hopefully, we will be
able to keep our church, members, and pastor for a
long time.
Doug and Marion Steward
From Doug: My family joined Trinity in 1942
under Pastor Zeidler. I was 12 years old then. I was
confirmed in 1945 after four years of confirmation
classes at Trinity. I graduated in 1948 from
Appleton High School. I went into the Navy out of
high school. Pastor called me into his office one day
and told me he wanted me to become a pastor, but I
told him I had already enlisted in the Navy so that
was that.
Many great memories, many great friends, many
great years spent at Trinity Lutheran Church.
After four years in the Navy and getting married
to Marion and then having our first child, we came
back home to Appleton. All four of our children
were baptized at Trinity. I taught Sunday School for
12 years, and was the Superintendent of Sunday
School twice. I also served two terms on the church
council. I also led the Trinity Explorer Scouts
starting in 1961 for 12 years. I was the Trinity
photographer for many years also.
Lois Small
My family, Bill, Greg, Dave and I arrived in
Appleton in 1977. My husband grew up in Menasha
so this was familiar territory for him. I was
Lutheran and the rest of my family was Catholic. It
didn’t take a long time for me to find Trinity
Lutheran Church, which I attended regularly.
Pastor Jim Nelson was the Senior Pastor. He visited
me at my home and in 1980 I became a member of
Trinity, a move I have never regretted.
Now I teach crocheting at the Thompson Center
in Appleton. I also have made many beautiful
crosses and designs. Some of them are hanging in
the hallway by Pastor’s office and have been
donated to the Charity Golf Auction over the years
as well afghan blankets that I made. I have many
scrapbooks that have photos of memories at
Trinity, too. We have many great memories of
people and times at Trinity.
Upon my retirement from Kimberly-Clark
Corporation I was asked to work with the “kitchen
crew” at church. We “worked hard” but it wasn’t
“hard work” as we all worked together and
completed the job. Of course, we did take a little
time for a laugh “now and then” but that’s what
brought us all back the next time. We did funeral
lunches and other dining room events. This group
of ladies became my very dear friends and we held
each other and found strength and love when
something went wrong in our lives. These very
dear friends are Dorothy Deeg, Ann Einspahr, Pearl
Kunz, Joyce Lippold, and Millie Mohr. I will always
remember these gals, the fun time we had together,
and the times we helped each other through a
“tough” time. You can’t find better friends than
that!! Thank you for your friendship girls.
From Marion: I have been a member of Trinity
since 1951. I have raised four children, two boys
and two girls, with my husband Doug. I used to
make the flower corsages for the confirmation
classes for many years. All of our children were
confirmed at Trinity. I also took my turn helping in
the church nursery. Over the years, I have baked
many cookies for events at Trinity and for Loaves
and Fishes and we have donated food to St. Joseph’s
Pantry. I also volunteered many years at Appleton
Medical Center. Now I crochet and do jigsaw
puzzles at home. I have many good memories of
people at Trinity, too.
Now, “Welcome Pastor Brian and Family!” I
guess this is a strange time to “welcome” you when
there’s a possibility that our church won’t be here
much longer. However, we need to leave this in
God’s hands. He knows better than we do! Just
maybe He has other plans for all of us but we just
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I spent time with Pastor Mary Beth and Pastor
Kurt along with Sandy LeMoine and Jeanne Beckley
at Harmony Café (great food by the way) for Mutual
Ministry meetings.
Susan Suprise
All creatures great and small...the Lord God
made them all...
A couple of years ago, when we had our annual
congregational service and meeting in the
fellowship hall, a special visitor joined us. I was
assisting Pastor Lisa Ubbelohde with communion
when a bat started swooping all around the room.
It seemed to be especially interested in the
communion offerings! I was not enjoying having a
bat fly around my head and kept ducking out of its
way. Pastor Lisa noticed and reassured me that the
bat was harmless. Meanwhile, I had visions of a
future filled with painful rabies shots.
Dorothy Warren
Viola Chandler invited me to Trinity when I met
her at a friend's home just after I moved to
Appleton to begin my teaching career in 1966.
Soon after that I found out that my principal, Dick
Haas, was also a member of Trinity. Fellow
members Ann Einspahr and Sally Timmers taught
with me at Huntley School.
Barb Haas encouraged me to sign up for the first
class of Stephen Ministry training that she and
Pastor Russ Creydt were going to lead. A few years
later Dixie Guthrie and I went to St. Louis for
Stephen Ministry training. We, along with Pastor
Nancy, Barb Haas, Carol Lundgren, and Anna Faye
Dodd, led the Stephen Ministry group for many
years. The Jensen's cottage was a wonderful retreat
center! The Help, Healing, and Health Committee
are an offshoot of that group. I have been blessed
in so many ways by each individual that I have met
with over the years.
Most people know that I'm a big animal lover
and I would never intentionally harm any of God’s
creatures. So I was relieved when someone had the
idea to use a butterfly net (obtained from a Sunday
school room) to catch the bat and eventually
release it safely outside.
I was baptized and married at Trinity and will
always consider it my church home. I cherish the
friends I’ve made thru worship, Bible study, and the
many events the church has hosted. I have loved
decorating for many of these events – just ask Lorna
Dorn how I taught her to tie a bow my way!!! You
may also have noticed me snapping pictures all
over Trinity. I can’t help myself --- our church is so
beautiful!!!
Pastor Russ got me involved working with the
youth. One summer he, Bernice Johnson, and I took
a group of teens to a youth gathering at Purdue
University. A highlight of working with the youth
was a mission trip to Appalachia with Judy Hogan,
Tracy Smith, and two vans full of teens. That was
an experience I think we all will never forget.
Chris Vander Wielen
My Trinity story begins 18 years ago when Joe
and I were married by Pastor Chris. New carpeting
and the elevator were installed that summer and
our photographer commented on adjusting the
settings on his camera (before digital images) to
compensate for the light reflecting off the marble
wall.
Through the encouragement of Pastor Nancy, I
attended several Global Mission Events. It is very
heartwarming to be a part of the ELCA knowing all
it does globally and how we, Trinity, are connected
to the larger church.
Now I enjoy being a part of "The Lutheran
Church Basement Women"! Trinity holds a special
place in my heart, so many friends, so many
memories, so many blessings!
Pastor Ray in his trademark cowboy boots
baptized our son Mitchell in June 2002 and he had
his first communion at the end of first grade with
Pastor Kurt. Mitchell was involved in many
Vacation Bible Schools and Christmas pageants yet
did not care for singing too much. Now he is a
confirmation student and learning the books of the
Bible.
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Pr. Brian, Mary, and Matt Bankert
I chatted with the Bishop for a little bit and
promised to have Brian call him back when he got
home, which was after 10:00 at night.
We have only been at Trinity for a year and a
half but it feels like home already. Pastor Brian,
Matt and I moved to Appleton from Centreville,
Virginia, in July of 2013. Our family had been living
in Virginia for 12 years after Pr. Brian retired from
the Air Force and was then working and going to
seminary to begin his new career. We did not know
where we would be placed after Pr. Brian graduated
from seminary but he could ask for some specific
synods that we might like to serve in. We decided
that if we could not stay in Virginia, we would move
back to Wisconsin after living away from our home
state for 28 years.
We did not know the possibility of Trinity being
our new church home until March of 2013 when the
Trinity Call Committee invited Pr. Brian to meet
with them and start the process. We were very
excited when this congregation decided Pr. Brian
would be a good choice to be the new pastor of this
church. Pr. Brian was ordained in Virginia in June
of 2013 at our home church, Lord of Life. Over 150
people attended on a very rainy Friday evening.
Bishop Justman had to fly to Washington, DC, and
then be driven out to our church that day and his
flight was very late, but he made it!
We got a call in early October of 2012 after all of
the Bishops had met in Chicago. Part of that
meeting is to place all of the seminary graduates
from around the country into specific synods at that
time. Our phone call to tell us who picked Pr. Brian
came at about 8:00 one evening that week from
Bishop Justman. Pr. Brian was at night school in
Gettysburg at the seminary, so I answered the
phone. The Bishop informed me that we were
going to be placed someplace in East Central
Wisconsin in the synod he was in charge of.
Then when we came to Appleton, Trinity
welcomed Pr. Brian with a wonderful summer
evening Installation Worship Service right here at
our church. When Trinity decided to call Pr. Brian
to be the pastor of this church, we thought Appleton
and the Fox Valley area would be a great place to
live and it is. But… we forgot how cold winter can
be in Wisconsin. Last year was a pretty powerful
reminder! We are very happy to be living, working,
and worshipping here with all of you.
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John Julius Automobile Memories:
I have recollections of some of the vehicles and their owners which frequented Trinity. Here are just a few:
The Brans '62 Olds 88, 4-door, orchid
Lawrence Bentle '66 Buick Riviera, maroon
Merle Culbertson '57 Chrysler, salmon & maroon
Jerry & Margie Ellefson Matching Plymouth Barracuda convertibles, red
Richard Emanuel '54 Imperial custom 4-door sedan, black
August Julius '53 Pontiac Chieftain, 4-door, green w/white top
Kenneth Julius '50 Olds Dynamic 88, 4-door, light green; '65 Olds F-85, 4-door, turquoise
Al Krabbe, Sr.
Al Krabbe, Jr.
Donald Missling
Earl Pingel
'71-'72 Pontiac, 4-door, dark green
'64-'66 Plymouth Barracuda
'66 Chev Impala, blue
'58 Chev Biscayne, 4-door, blue & white
'65 Chev Impala, 4-door, beige
Lester Pingel '52 Chev, 4-door, blue; '61 Chev BelAir, 4-door sedan, jewel blue; '67 Chev
Impala, 4-door sedan, gold; '71 Chev Impala, 4-door sedan, blue
Wallace Pingel '56 Chev Two-Ten, 4-door sedan, green & white; '64-'66 Plymouth Valient,
4-door, blue
Carl Roehl, Sr.
The Rohans (sp?)
Mrs. Shernick
The Swamps
Lester Tesch
Elmer Thorson
'62 Ford; '69-'70 Ford LTD
'51-'52 Kaiser or Allstate Henry J, white
'65 Ford Galaxie 500 LTD, 4-door hardtop, black
'53 Pontiac Chieftain, 4-door, maroon
'57 Buick, copper
'56 Buick Special, 4-door hardtop, yellow & white; '65 Buick Wildcat, 4door hardtop, blue
Louie Weise '52 Olds 98, 4-door, green
Ellis Waggoner '67 Ford Mustang
Other memorable cars, but I don't remember the owners' names:
'54 Plymouth Suburban wagon, tomato color w/black roof
'61 Chev Impala convertible, jewel blue w/matching top
'61-'63 Ford Thunderbird, powder blue;
‘68 Imperial Crown, 4-door hardtop, yellow w/green top & Symphony Board, and numerous other
groups.
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