PUPILS: 1^st row, kneeling, L to R: Regina Ziehlsdorff, Emmie Brusewitz, Ernie Brusewitz, Harold Nitzlaff, and Vernis Andre.

2^nd row: Ruth Ziehlsdorff, Lauren Andre, Hilda Andre, Elsie Griepentrog, Lydia Damrow, Frances Nennian.

3^rd row: Esther Justman, Ida Frank

4^th row: Elsie Hahn, Emma Damrow, Rosetta Seefeldt, Susie Martens, Leota Andre

Boys on the left: Walter Neunen, John Brewitz, John Frank.

Right: Bill Frank, Alfred Griepentrog, Olaf Manthe

In front of the door: Myron Krause

The children generally attended school from age six until confirmation. They also participated in school programs, congregational picnics, and Christmas programs which often lasted two hours. The church pastor served as the school teacher, and his wife generally assisted, especially when the pastor was called away. Since money was very limited, and the pastor received little salary, the congregation provided him with what in German was called "love gifts". This included flour, sugar, meat, potatoes, and the like. The pastor also had a cow to provide him with additional support.

The emphasis of the old parochial school was of course on religious instructions, and the majority of the school’s time was spent in this. A typical day began at 9:00 A.M. with song and prayer. This was followed by the recitation of memorized portions of the catechism and with instructions. At 10:30 a half hour recess was enjoyed. From 11:00 until noon the children studied reading and language. During the afternoons the students were instructed in Bible history, geography, arithmetic, and American history. School dismissed at 4:00 P.M. with singing and prayer. All of the early education was of course taught and learned in German.

Norvel Justman, Verner Oelrich, Alvin Frank, Walter Luepke, Martin Griepentrog, Ervin Schweke, Maynard Schwantes, Bertha Neumann, Francis Neumann, Adalia Frank, Hilda Andre, Ruth Ziehlsdorff, Amanda Damrow, Emme Bruesewitz

August Siecke - teacher

Wilbur was born August 9, 1933 to Walter and Arvilla (Oelrich) Neumann. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s, Spencer by Pastor Hinz. He attended Concordia College, Milwaukee for high school and jr. college graduating in 1954. He then attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., graduating in 1959. His vicarage was in La Grange, Illinois, with his first call being to a dual parish in rural Nebraska. In 1963 he accepted a call as assistant pastor to Mitchel, South Dakota. There he served the youth until 1964 when he accepted the pastorship at the same church. While in Dakota he also served as the South Dakota District Director of Youth Work, Circuit Counselor, and on the District Board of Directors for two years. August of 1969 saw the Neumanns accepting a call to Perryville, Missouri. There he worked with five different vicars, and also had six retired pastors in the congregation. A new church was dedicated in 1974 with Dr. Hoffman as guest speaker for celebration. Wilbur had other responsibilities also in Missouri as Circuit Counselor, Chairman of East Mo. Pastor’s Conference, and Vice-Chairman of the Mo. District Pastor’s Conference. In July 1977 he accepted a call to Peoria, Ill. He has had the honor of attending three Synodical Conventions: New York, 1967; Denver, 1969; and Anaheim, 1975.

Wilbur married Elaine Hellwege of Stuttgardt, Ark. in 1958. She is a graduate of Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing. They have been blessed with four healthy children - Mark, 19 (Jr. in college), Gary, 17 (Sr. in High School), Kari, 15 (So. in High School), and Carol, 1 2 (Seventh Grade).

Richard was born November 1, 1945, at Marshfield, Wisconsin. He was baptized on November 25, 1945 at St. John’s Lutheran Church by Rev. H. Hinz and confirmed on May 24, 1959 by vacancy pastor W. R. Krueger. Richard has stated, "I believe it was my early Christian education and confirmation instruction which I received from this congregation that led me into the ministry along with the encouragement of my grandfather, the late Mr. Edward Klein".

Richard attended Concordia College High School from 1959 until 1963 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After that he attended Concordia Sr. College at Fort Wayne, md., graduating in 1967 with a B. A. degree. From this point Richard studied at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Ill. Vicarage was served in Fruitvale, Trail, Castlegar, and Nelson, B.C. under Rev. H. Clark of Trail, B.C. Richard graduated from the seminary on May 21, 1971 and was ordained on July 11, 1971 at St. John’s Lutheran Church by Rev. W. R. Krueger.

Since his ordination Richard has served the Klondike Trail Parish which included congregations at Mellowdale, Vega, Swan Hills, and a mission at Fort Assiniborne, Alberta. This parish was served from 1971 until March of 1973. He then served St. Peter Lutheran at Castlegar, St. John Lutheran at Nelson, and the Arrow Lakes Mission at Nakusp, B.C. Richard resigned from this position on May 21, 1978 so that he might study for his Dr. of Ministry degree at the Concordia Theological Seminary at Ft. Wayne, Indiana.