Does anyone know wheather or not, there were any Volga Germans living in the city of Yelan, just west of the Volga German villages ? Charles --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

This inquiry was originally sent to Michael Miller of GRHC/Fargo ND who sent it to his Black Sea mail list BLK-SEA@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU and a reader of that sent it to me. I'll pass it to you as the most likely persons who might be able to help Mr. Rudi. Thanks for anything you may be able to send him. His address arudi01@web.de is included in the leading note from Michael Miller. Dennis Zitterkopf From: Michael.Miller@ndsu.edu To: BLK-SEA@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU Sent: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 1:18 PM Subject: Re: [BLK-SEA] Suche nach Verwandte Familie Rudi - Searching for Rudi family members 20 April 2007 Please see the message below of email translated from German to English from - Alexander Rudi, Nordhorn, Germany. If you can be of assistance, please email directly to Mr. Rudi at arudi01@web.de Michael M. Miller, Director & Bibliographer Germans from Russia Heritage Collection (GRHC) Marie Rudel Portner Germans from Russia Room North Dakota State University Libraries P.O. Box 5599 1201 Albrecht Blvd. Fargo, ND 58105-5599 USA ______________________ Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:17:26 +0200 From: Alexander Rudi <arudi01@web.de> To: Prof. Michael M. Miller <michael.miller@ndsu.edu> Subject: Suche nach Verwandte Familie Rudi Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, seit viele Jahren suche ich nach Mitglieder der Familie Rudi, welchen Vorfahren aus dem Grafschaft Isenburg Deutschlands im 1772 nach Russland ausgewandert sind. Zur Zeit habe ich den Stammbaum seit 1725 zusammengestellt. Im Grunde liegen die Kopien von 4 Seiten der Volkszählung der Kolonie Pobotschnaja an der Wolga, Ergebnisse der Volkszählungen dieses Dorfes von Jahren 1816, 1825, 1834 und 1857. Ein Teil der Familie, wie das Land für die vergrößerte Familien nicht ausreichte, gründete 1858 (Jakob Ditz. „Geschichte der Wolgadeutschen Kolonisten“. Moskau, Gotika 1997) auf der Wiesenseite, nicht weit vom Krasny Kut das Siedlung Schöndorf. In Schöndorf kam im 1869 mein Großvater Peter Rudi auf der Welt, von dort im Jahre 1912 fuhr die Familie meiner Mutter, (Eltern Johann und Elisabett [Geburtsname Rudi] Schneider) nach Sibirien, Gebiet Omsk, ins Dorf Pobotschnoe. In der Hungersnot 1921 übersiedelte nach Pobotschnoe die Familie unseres Vaters, Alexander Rudi (Beiname Schwarze-Lexonder). Einmal hörte ich, dass in Amerika die Geschichte der Familie in einem Buch beschrieben wehre. Vor Paar Tagen erzählte meine Schwester Frieda (1928), dass einige von der Familie Rudi nach USA in den 1920-en Jahren übersiedelte. Und dann erhalte ich die Ausgabe „Volk auf dem Weg“ Nr.4 mit der Information über einem Verein für die Familien- und Ortsforschung in USA. Jetzt kommen meine Fragen: Haben sie im Verein die Möglichkeit mir in der Suche nach Mitglieder der Familie Rudi aus der Kolonie Pobotschnaja oder dem Dorf Schöndorf, Novousenski Uesd, Gouvernement Samara, später Krasnokutskij Raion zu helfen? Welche Information oder Präzisierungen soll ich, um auf diese Frage zu antworten, noch zusenden? Mit besten Wünschen und Warten auf Antwort Alexander Rudi, Frensdorfer Ring 66, 48529 Nordhorn. Tel./Fax 49-05921-7129753. TRANSLATION: Ladies and Gentlemen, for many years I have been searching for members of the Rudi family, whose ancestors had emigrated in 1772 from the Isenburg area of Germany to Russia. So far I have put together a family tree back to 1725. One basis is the copies of 4 pages of the census of the Colony of Pobochnaya on the Volga, results of further censuses of this village from 1816, 1825, 1834 and 1857. In 1858, lack of sufficient land caused a branch of the family to establish on the meadow side (see Jakob Ditz, "History of the Volga-German Colonists," Moscow, Gotika 1997 - in German), not far from Krasny Kut, the settlement Schoendorf. There my grandfather, Peter Rudi, was born in 1869, and in 1912 the family of my mother (parents: Johann and Elisabett, nee Rudi, Schneider) moved from there to Siberia (Omsk region), to a village called Pobochnoye. During the 1921 famine my fathers family (Xleander Rudi, aka Schwarze-Lexonder)moved to Pobochnoye. I read somewhere that in America there is a book of the history of the family. A few days ago my sister Frieda (b. 1928) told me that some of the Rudi family emigrated to America in the 1920s. Then I received the April issue of Volk auf dem Weg with information regarding an association in the US for genealogy and locale research. My question is: does this association offer the opportunity to help me in the research for member of the Rudi family from Pobochnoye or Schoendorf, Novousenski Uesd, Goevernement Samara, alter called Krasnokutsiy Rayon? Should I be more precise to get replies to this question? With best, awaiting reply: Alexander Rudi Frensdorfer Ring 66 48518 Nordheim Tel/Fax: 49-05921-7129753 [I expect that the leading zero after country code 49 is superfluous - Alex H]

Dear Listers, I want to thank many who have provided me with such good, relevant information re: my family history. Tomorrow, many of us will gather at Ramona, KS, for an annual Brunner reunion. (Descendants of George Henry Brunner and his wife, Eva Beisel. Both were born in 1872 in Russia and immigrated to the USA, Woodbine, KS, in 1892. Her parents were Andrew and Eva nee Langhofer Beisel.) My p.c inbox contains innumerable E-mails that listers have sent. When I (again) tried to find out information about my grandparents "roots," their GR villages of origination, I came away empty. But then certain helpful people (on-line) came forward with pertinent information. Frankreich/Strassburg did, does exist with new Russian names. Rudig/Rudick (my grandmother's place of birth) also existed. My mother was Marie Brunner Hicks. My father's grandmother was Jane Williamson (an abolitionist) from Pennsylvania, who married my great grandfather, Joseph Alvin Hicks of North Carolina (an ex-confederate soldier) at Lawrence, KS, after the end of the civil war. As colorful as the paternal side of my family might be, I for one reason or another seem to gravitate to wanting to know more about my Volga German roots. I am 78 years of age; my Aunt Johanna Brunner Kaiser, age 105, is the sole survivor of G.H. Brunner and wife, Eva. (They had 13 children.) I have made copies of many of the pertinent E-mails that I have received from fellow listers. I will give these valuable copies to my Aunt and to the secretary of our family group, tomorrow. And..........thanks, again. Rev. Gene Hicks P.S. Like so many, Aunt Johanna said that her parents shared so very little from their past. And we all are greatly diminished by this.

Billings Gazette Billings, MT 19 Apr 2007 Mary Lou Ruff, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, went to meet her Lord and Savior on April 17, 2007, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 9, 1928, in Morganville, Kan., to Charles and Ruth Kisby. Mary Lou was the third oldest of six children. She graduated from high school in Clifton, Kan., in 1946, and moved to Billings in 1948, where she was employed at the Billings Laundry. On July 10, 1948, Mary Lou met her future husband, John, during a blind date. They were married on June 24, 1950, and enjoyed 56 wonderful years together. During that time, they had three children: Stephen, David and Nannette. For the past recent months, Mary Lou resided at the Butterfly Homes, working hard at recovering from a stroke well enough to enable her to return home. Mary Lou enjoyed painting, sewing and crafts of all sorts. She volunteered at a number of places, such as South Park Senior Center, and was a member for over 50 years at the Pilgrim Congregational Church, where she was baptized. She really enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, traveling and sight-seeing, camping, gardening and visiting with friends and relatives. Mary Lou is survived by her husband, John; and her three children, Stephen (Janlee) Ruff, David Ruff, Nannette (James) Dahlberg; four grandchildren, Erich, Bryan and Daniel Ruff, and Kaitlyn Dahlberg. She is also survived by one brother, Larry Kisby; and three sisters, Dorothy Evango, Della Collette and Charlene Stites. The family wishes to thank all the staff at Butterfly Homes, as well as the staff at Fourth Floor TCU at the Billings Clinic for all their encouragement, support and loving care they provided to Mom. Viewing will be Thursday, April 19, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Smith Downtown Chapel, and prior to services at the church. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 409 S. 36th. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Cheyenne, WY 19 Apr 2007 Lulu M. Steege 1925-2007 Lulu M. "Lou" Steege, 81, of Cheyenne died April 17 at Cheyenne Healthcare Center. She was born April 24, 1925, in Broomfield, Colo., and had lived here since 1926. She retired in 1979 from the Wyoming Highway Department where she worked as a server in the cafeteria. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and a crochet class. Mrs. Steege is survived by three daughters, Debbie Richardson of Cheyenne, Janice Hudak of Fort Collins, and Bonnie McAffee of Lander; three step-children, Sherry Welch of Danville, Ill., Tom Steege of Mount Vernon, Ill., and Janice Bergstrom of Lander; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Steege; parents, Adolph and Lydia Schick; a sister, Edna Urich; and her first husband, LeRoy Hennings. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel with the Rev. Elmer Wilhelm officiating. Interment will take place at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens. Friends may send contributions to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Scottsbluff Star Hearld Scottsbluff, NE 19 Apr 2007 Dave Green, 100, of Scottsbluff, died Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at the Northfield Medical Center in Gering. Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 21, at Salem Congregational Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Dale Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Visitation will be Friday, April 20, at the Jolliffe Funeral Home in Scottsbluff from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning Friday evening at 7 p.m. Memorials are to the Salem Congregation Church or to Prairie Haven Hospice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.jolliffefuneralhome.com. Dave was born April 1, 1907, in Herington, Kan. to Nick and Katherine (Spahn) Green. He received his education in western Nebraska and worked on the family farm. Dave married Mary Green Jan. 26, 1930, in Scottsbluff. The couple farmed north of Scottsbluff for a number of years before moving south of Gering where they farmed for 40 years before retirement in 1982. Following his retirement, Dave moved into Scottsbluff where he continued to enjoy the outdoors by tending to his garden. He was a longtime member of the Salem Congregational Church in Scottsbluff. Dave is survived by his daughter, Arlene Harimon and her husband Reinnie of Minatare and son, Marvin Green and his wife Ann of Gering; sister, Annie Green of Scottsbluff; grandchildren, Doug Harimon, Laura Harimon, Chris Green, Shelle Petersen, and Monica Connell; great-grandchildren, Jason Harimon, Brian Petersen, Tyler Petersen, Dylan Petersen, and Gavin Connell. His parents, wife Mary, four brothers and one sister preceded Dave in death.

Billings Gazette Billings, MT 18 Apr 2007 Arthur John Kautzmann, 73, owner of the Bonanza Health Foods Store for the past 31 years, peacefully passed away Sunday evening, April 15, 2007, at his Billings home, in the presence of his immediate family. He courageously battled various heath issues for 16 years and finally yielded to cancer. Art was born in Bismarck, N.D., to Anton and Johanna Kautzmann on March 20, 1934; he was the youngest of eight children. In 1952, he graduated from Mandan High School in Mandan, N.D., where he loved drama and music. Following high school, he attended North Dakota State University's School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1956. Art moved to Billings to complete his pharmaceutical internship and there, he met his wife of 50 years, Delores J. Bourne. A pharmacist for 20 years, Art worked for Hebner's Pharmacy, Hummel Drug, Glendive's Northern Pacific Beneficial Association Hospital Pharmacy, St. Vincent's Hospital Pharmacy and was a partner in Gallagher's Pharmacy before opening his pharmacy - "Medical Arts Pharmacy" - in 1967. In 1976, Art took his extensive pharmacy background to the health industry when he purchased the Bonanza Health Foods Store. The Bonanza, a family-run business, continues to serve as one of the largest health food stores in the Northwest - one of Art's proudest accomplishments. In 1974, Art's life changed forever when he found "new life" as a born-again Christian through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord filled him with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness and Faithfulness (Gal 5:22) and his testimony will continue to live through his many family and friends. Art loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and school activities. Incredibly, he attended every possible event, home or away. No game was too far away and even the worst blizzard on the road to Havre couldn't keep him from going. Art was the definition of "sports fan"; he attended local high school football and basketball games and was a "regular" in the stands for Billings Mustangs games. In 1991, Art retired from full time operation of the health food store after suffering a stroke in December of 1990. He did, however, visit the store daily while his daughter Arthel and son-in-law Jerry Vincent managed the store. Art was an avid hunter and fisherman, but turned to playing cards at the senior citizen center as his health slowed him down. He loved meeting with family and friends over coffee to share stories and jokes; his humor was endless and he loved to laugh. His routine also included an exercise program at St. Vincent's hospital. He participated in the St. Vincent's volunteer program and loved to share e-mails with family and friends. Art considered his wife (Delores), his three children (Arthel, Duey, Amy), his three children-in-law (Jerry, Cassie, Jeff), his eight grandchildren (Jennifer, Colter, Andrea, Joel, Jake, Callie, Krista, Caden) and his one great-grandchild (Madison), his greatest blessings and treasures. Art is survived by his wife, Delores; daughters Arthel (Jerry) Vincent and Amy (Jeff) Satrom of Billings and son Lt. Col. (Ret.) Duey (Cassie) Kautzmann, Irving, Texas; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Nick) Lambert, Andrea and Joel Vincent, Jake and Krista Dunn, Caden Satrom, Colter and Callie Kautzmann; his great-granddaughter, Madison Lambert. He is also survived by his two sisters, Clara Lubke of Mandan and Margie (George) Haider of Billings; sisters-in-law Edna Kautzmann and Rosie Kautzmann as well as countless nieces and nephews and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Roland; and daughter Karen; his parents, Anton and Johanna; his brothers, Gene, Harry, Edmond, Emanuel; and his sister, Maggie. Viewing will be held on Friday, April 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. (family will be present) or Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. W. A memorial service will be held at West Side Baptist Church, 323 S. 32nd St. W. (corner of 32nd Street West and Monad) on Saturday, at 2 p.m., in Billings. A reception at the church will follow the service. Cremation will follow Saturday's viewing and interment will take place on Monday, April 23, 10 a.m., at Terrace Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice and/or Westside Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Fund.

Billings Gazette Billings, MT 18 Apr 2007 ROUNDUP - Lorene V. Zimmerman, 86, of Roundup, passed away at home on Sunday, April 15, 2007, surrounded by her family. Lorene was born Aug. 19, 1920, at her parents' homestead at the foot of the Snowies. She was the sixth of 10 children born to Noah and Frona Basinger. In 1923, the family moved to Roundup, where she received her schooling. Lorene was helping Mary Zimmerman cook for a threshing crew when it started to rain, so she and Emil decided this was as good a day as any to get married. So Sept. 9, 1938, was the beginning of the 68 years of wedded bliss. Lorene and Emil spent 41 years on the ranch north of Roundup raising cattle and kids before retiring back in Roundup in 1979. Lorene was a charter member of the Flatwillow Home Demonstration Club, the oldest living member of the Roundup Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star in Grass Range and a charter member of the Sassy Sewing Club. She loved to travel and was always ready to go on a trip, whether it was long or short. She especially enjoyed the day trips she and Emil took exploring Montana. Lorene was predeceased by two brothers, four sisters and two grandsons. She is survived by her husband, Emil, of nearly 69 years; her children, Larry (Shirley) Zimmerman, Jim (Carma) Zimmerman, Mary Lynn (Bill) Edwards, Jack (Tami) Zimmerman and Deb Ray; brothers Sylvan (Daisy) Basinger, Vern (Marie) Basinger; and sister Florence Wacker; sisters-in-law Ruth Stoltz and Anita Jo Jones; brothers-in-law Charlie (Nola) Brumfield and Dick (Donna) Brumfield; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. We will all miss you, Mom. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21, at Wier Funeral Chapel. Interment to follow at the Roundup City Cemetery.

I grew up in Wiggins, Colorado and there was an Emmanuel Weibert who farmed in our small community. His wife was a wonderful baker and she baked my wedding cake in 1965. She died fairly young but I think they had some children. I recall a daughter Sheila and I think there was a son too. There are no Weibert listings in the Greeley/Windsor telephone book. There is a Gary Weibert listed at 20460 County Rd. 7 in Wiggins, CO 80654-9207. (970) 483-6382. Lauren Brantner ger-volga-request@rootsweb.com wrote: Today's Topics: 1. Obit Betty Jane Halder (Henry L. Schmick) 2. Weibert from Messer (Charles Parcels) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 07:37:06 -0700 From: "Henry L. Schmick" Subject: [GV] Obit Betty Jane Halder To: "GR-LIST" , "GR-VOLGA" Message-ID: <000801c78034$b572e8d0$0400000a@DeskTop> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Billings Gazette Billings, MT 16 Apr 2007 Betty Jane Halder passed away peacefully on April 14, 2007, at the Horizon Hospice House surrounded by her family. Born to Charles and Agnes Schedel on the 4th of July 1929, in New Salem, N.D., this independent spirit so fittingly entered the world and was the third of six children. She was always fiercely proud of her German heritage and her North Dakota roots. Betty graduated from New Salem High in 1947 and moved shortly afterward to Billings. In 1949, she wed Fred Pinnick in Billings and in 1951 they had a daughter, Diana. Fred passed away in 1956 and she met the challenge of raising her daughter alone for many years. During this time, she worked for Carburetor and Electric as a bookkeeper and as a school secretary at Newman and Poly Drive schools. In 1967, Betty married Jerry Haider and together they raised his children, Jeff, Tom, Lynne and her daughter, Diana. She worked for the Tire Supply Company during this time. She and Jerry had 34 wonderful years together with Jerry passing in 2001. Betty was a loving and caring mom, grandmother, wife, sister and her talents as a seamstress and keen sense of humor will be missed by both family and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Inez Gray; and her brother, James Schedel. She is survived by brothers, Wallace (Fae) Schedel, Dean (Lyla) Schedel and Norman (Cindy) Schedel. Also surviving are her children, Diana (Gary) Ochsner of Miles City, Jeff (Linda) Haider of Newfoundland, Pa., Tom (Bonnie) Halder of Missoula and Lynne (John) Horn of Douglas, Wyo.; and 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Betty met many challenges in her life head on, and her cancer was no exception. Special thanks go out to the care given her by Dr. Marty Lucas, nurse Lori Carahasen, and the staff of Big Sky Hospice and the Horizon Hospice House. Memorials in her loving memory may be made to the Big Sky Hospice or the Horizon Hospice House. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the Cremation or Funeral Gallery, 29 Eighth St. W., with inurnment to follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery. ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 09:54:21 -0700 (PDT) From: Charles Parcels Subject: [GV] Weibert from Messer To: ger-volga@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <176242.26686.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Are there any Weiberts out there living in Colorado who know of a Catherine Weibert who is from messer/ She lived in N.Y.,and has relatives in ,or near Greeley, or Wiggins. Thanks, Charles Parcels --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos. ------------------------------ To contact the GER-VOLGA list administrator, send an email to GER-VOLGA-admin@rootsweb.com. To post a message to the GER-VOLGA mailing list, send an email to GER-VOLGA@rootsweb.com. __________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GER-VOLGA-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" without the quotes in the subject and the body of the email with no additional text. End of GER-VOLGA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 109 ***************************************** --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Scottsbluff Star Hearld Scottsbluff, NE 17 Apr 2007 SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Karen E. Demand, 62, passed away Friday, April 13, 2007. A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, April 19, at the funeral home with the Rev. Mark D. Barz will be officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East (Inside Between Stone Oak Parkway and Hwy 281. The interment with military honors will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to your local chapter of the American Cancer Society. To leave a message for the family, please log on to www.mem.com. Arrangements are with: Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232, (210) 495-7770 She was born March 15, 1944, in Sidney, Neb. to George Batt and Eva Fertig Batt. She was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a member of Crown of Life Lutheran Church. She is survived by her husband, Sylvan "Ray" Demand of San Antonio; sisters, Delorse Kautz and her husband George of Temple, Texas, Donna Wright and her husband Jim of Westminster, Colo., Dorothea Batt of Gering; brothers, Wayne Batt and his wife Betty of Mitchell; Ed Batt and his wife Carol of Scottsbluff, Gary Batt and his wife Nancy of Gering, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Are there any Weiberts out there living in Colorado who know of a Catherine Weibert who is from messer/ She lived in N.Y.,and has relatives in ,or near Greeley, or Wiggins. Thanks, Charles Parcels --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Billings Gazette Billings, MT 16 Apr 2007 Betty Jane Halder passed away peacefully on April 14, 2007, at the Horizon Hospice House surrounded by her family. Born to Charles and Agnes Schedel on the 4th of July 1929, in New Salem, N.D., this independent spirit so fittingly entered the world and was the third of six children. She was always fiercely proud of her German heritage and her North Dakota roots. Betty graduated from New Salem High in 1947 and moved shortly afterward to Billings. In 1949, she wed Fred Pinnick in Billings and in 1951 they had a daughter, Diana. Fred passed away in 1956 and she met the challenge of raising her daughter alone for many years. During this time, she worked for Carburetor and Electric as a bookkeeper and as a school secretary at Newman and Poly Drive schools. In 1967, Betty married Jerry Haider and together they raised his children, Jeff, Tom, Lynne and her daughter, Diana. She worked for the Tire Supply Company during this time. She and Jerry had 34 wonderful years together with Jerry passing in 2001. Betty was a loving and caring mom, grandmother, wife, sister and her talents as a seamstress and keen sense of humor will be missed by both family and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Inez Gray; and her brother, James Schedel. She is survived by brothers, Wallace (Fae) Schedel, Dean (Lyla) Schedel and Norman (Cindy) Schedel. Also surviving are her children, Diana (Gary) Ochsner of Miles City, Jeff (Linda) Haider of Newfoundland, Pa., Tom (Bonnie) Halder of Missoula and Lynne (John) Horn of Douglas, Wyo.; and 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Betty met many challenges in her life head on, and her cancer was no exception. Special thanks go out to the care given her by Dr. Marty Lucas, nurse Lori Carahasen, and the staff of Big Sky Hospice and the Horizon Hospice House. Memorials in her loving memory may be made to the Big Sky Hospice or the Horizon Hospice House. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the Cremation or Funeral Gallery, 29 Eighth St. W., with inurnment to follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

Helen Bernice Madden HELEN BERNICE MADDEN JULY 26, 1931 - APRIL 5, 2007 Helen Bernice Madden, 75, of Modesto died Thursday, April 5, after a courageous battle with cancer. She died at Memorial Medical Center with her children at her side. Helen was born in Rocky Ford, Colorado on July 26, 1931 to Peter and Mary Geringer. The family moved to Manteca, California in 1945. Helen attended Manteca High School and Modesto Junior College before marrying Herbert Pauk in 1952. They moved to San Jose where they had three children and she later enjoyed a successful career in the microwave & electronics industries. She later married Bernard Madden and they eventually moved to Modesto. She was former president and an active member of the Lodi Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR), and enjoyed the pursuit of cultural activities and genealogy. She is survived by her children, Jeff & Patti Pauk of Corvallis, Oregon; Carolyn (Pauk) Lopez of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Lisa (Pauk) & Ted Murray of Casper, Wyoming, 5 grandchildren; and her siblings Ruth Hoffman and Robert Geringer of Manteca. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter & Mary Geringer and a brother, George Geringer. Remembrances can be made in her name to the Manteca Historical Society and Museum, 600 W. Yosemite Ave., Manteca, CA 95337. Interment will be private.

Dear all I am a total novice in family research, but have found the GER-Volga list really helpful and absolutely fascinating. I am hoping someone can help me. We are trying to find out how my husband's father, Gottfried Brandt, ended up in the German army during the war, and also about his Volga origins. Gottfried Brandt was born in 1903 in Kraft. Like his father Friedrich Brandt, he was a master shoemaker. He married Maria Andrejevna and had 11 children. Six died in their first year. Maria and surviving children were deported to Kazakhstan, but only two children survived beyond 1942. Gottfried, his brother Heinrich and brother-in-law Peter Fischer all ended up in Germany during the war, but we don't know how. Gottfried became a translator with the German army and stayed in West Germany after the war. Believing his family were all dead, he remarried and had two sons (one is my husband). Then the Red Cross traced the first family in Kazakhstan. Gottfried and his second wife had both died by 1963, leaving two orphans. Our information about Gottfried comes from two sources: 1) confused family stories from in-laws in Germany. 2) his daughter Anna from Kazakhstan, who has migrated with several of her children to Germany. Meeting her for the first time last year was incredible. As she was only three in 1941, her memories of the deportation period are vague. She believes Gottfried was conscripted into a labour army. I have read various things about the 1941 deportations, including Otto Pohl's very valuable blog. Were all the forced labour armies of German men sent to Siberia? If so, could Gottfried and the others have been captured by the German army when they were so far east? Could they have travelled to join the German army as volunteers before the deportations? Where do I begin to look to find this out? Are there German sources to investigate? We are travelling to Saratov in May and would like to know as much as possible about the Brandt ancestry beforehand. John Klein has kindly checked the original immigrant list and the 1798 census and found three of the original colonies had emigrants with the name Brandt or Brand, including Kraft. I have also read David R Schultheiss's article on Kraft in the AHSGR Journal (1987), which includes a picture of his sister, Anna Schultheiss Brand. Could she have had a marriage connection with our Brandt family? David Schultheiss's father and brother were also master shoemakers - perhaps another connection. I would apprreciate any suggestions on how to take this further. Sorry this is so long and rambling. Clare Cowen-Brandt

I just wanted to say thanks to all for your help. We were able to get my Dad's citizenship papers from the Michigan archives. _http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17449_18635_20684---,00.html_ (http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17449_18635_20684---,00.html) I first looked up the name, and wrote down folder information, then a quick phone call, and prepaid fifteen dollars. It took about ten days. Special thanks to Maggie Hein for her advise. Carl Peil Researching: Peil-Laubhan Family in: Michigan/Oklahoma/Texas/Kansas/Wyoming,(USA), and searching,Schultz, Schulz, Peil, Piel, Herber, Reissig, Reisig, Young, Yung, Jung,Laubhan, and Oblender. ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

Scottsbluff Star Hearld Scottsbluff, NE 13 Apr 2007 Loretta Mary Benzel, 79, of Scottsbluff, died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 14, at Salem Congregational Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Dale Brown officiating. Cremation will be held after the service with a private family interment to follow at a later date at Sunset Memorial Park. A memorial has been established to Salem Congregational Church. Friends may call at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel Friday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com Loretta was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Angora, Neb. to Albin Leo and Josephine (Terasinski) Chlopek. She married Ben Benzel June 22, 1946, in Scottsbluff. She retired from the Midwec Corporation as a supervisor of quality control. Loretta was a member of Salem Congregation Church, the Study Circle and Reach Out programs of the church. She is survived by her husband Ben; sons and daughter-in-law, Benjamin and Karen Benzel of The Villages, Fla. and William L. Benzel of Lyman; daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Doug Strauch of Mitchell; sister, Annabelle McGhee of Bakersfield, Calif., grandchildren, Randy (Melea) Benzel of Castle Rock, Colo., Renee (Brian) Bernhard, Commerce City, Colo., Russell Benzel, Firestone, Colo., Hunter (Beverly) Strauch, Gering, Megan Hanshew, San Diego, Calif., and Heidi Strauch of Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Kendal Benzel, Cameron Benzel, Courtney Benzel, Simon Bernhard, Riley Strauch and Emily Strauch. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Victor Silver, Edward Chlopek and John Chlopek and sisters, Frances Sterkel and Bernadette Cornelius.

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Cheyenne, WY 12 Apr 2007 J. Arling Wiederspahn 1916-2007 J. Arling Wiederspahn, 91, of Cheyenne died April 10 at Cheyenne Healthcare Center. He was born Jan. 22, 1916, in Grand Island, Neb., to George and Elizabeth Wiederspahn. They moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he grew up and graduated from Palmer High School in 1934. Mr. Wiederspahn moved to Greeley, Colo., in 1934 where he was employed by the Macy Funeral Home and Camfield Hotel. He moved to Cheyenne in 1936, worked for United Airlines as a sheet metal mechanic until leaving for Chicago in 1938 to attend Worsham College of Mortuary Science. After graduating he returned to Cheyenne, working for United Airlines and Worland Mortuary. In 1946, Arling and Robert E. Grace formed a partnership and purchased the Worland Mortuary operating as the Wiederspahn and Grace Mortuary. In 1956, Mr. Wiederspahn built and then opened the Wiederspahn Chapel of the Chimes, which he owned and operated with his wife, Edvina, until their retirement in 1987. Cheyenne Memorial Gardens was purchased in 1967 and in 1979 a crematory was added, which was the first in the state of Wyoming and holds license No. 1. He had been a licensed mortician for 69 years and appointed by Gov. Herschler to serve two terms on the State Board of Embalming; elected Laramie County coroner, serving 12 years, and served as deputy county coroner for several years. He was a member and past president of the National Association of Approved Morticians, elected to the Board of Trustees at Laramie County Community College, serving for 15 years. He was appointed by five different mayors to serve a total of 20 years on the Firemen's Civil Service Commission. He served on The Salvation Army Board for 22 years, was a member and past president of the Laramie County Chapter of the American Red Cross as well as the Board of Goodwill Industries. He was a Boy Scout leader and member and past president of the Deming PTA, where he and his wife were honored with the Parent Teacher Association All Star Parents Award at the 50th anniversary of Deming Grade School. He was also a member of Cheyenne Jaycees (Jr. Chamber of Commerce), receiving the Outstanding Young Man award in 1949, member and past president of Cheyenne Lions Club, active in a number of fraternal organizations, Past Worthy Patron of Mizpah Chapter No. 36 of the Order of Eastern Star, past patron of the Indian Paintbrush Court Order of Amaranth, member of Acacia Lodge No. 11 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, member of Korein Shrine and Wyoming Consistory No. 1, Past Associate Guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel No. 33 and he often chaperoned many Bethel activities. He was a long-time member of Gideon International and held a lifetime membership in the Elks Lodge No. 660. He was a member of Zion Congregational Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent, a member and past president of the Church Board and as a deacon. After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Wiederspahn spent several months a year in Peoria, Ariz., and attended Desert Palms Presbyterian Church, where also served as a Stephen minister. Arling Wiederspahn is survived by his two children and their spouses, Janet and Dwight Haught and Al Wiederspahn and Cynthia Lummis, all of Cheyenne; grandchildren, LaRon Hogg-Haught of San Francisco, LaRae Reid and her husband, James of Hollister, Calif., Trenton Hogg and his wife, Melissa of Cheyenne and Annaliese Wiederspahn of Cheyenne; great-grandchildren, Shane, Nathan and Quinn Dirksen of Hollister and Louden Hogg of Cheyenne; a sister-in-law, Irene Lamb; several nieces and nephews; and his extended family includes David Haught and his wife Cindy of Sheridan, Don Haught and his wife Robin and Doug Haught and his wife Julie, all of Torrington; eight great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edvina, whom he married March 17, 1938; his parents, George and Elizabeth Wiederspahn; two sisters, Barbara Weber and Rose Lamb; and two brothers, Conrad Wiederspahn and Robert Wiederspahn. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes with the Rev. Elmer Wilhelm officiating. Interment will be at Beth El Cemetery. Friends may contribute to the Arling and Edvina Wiederspahn Scholarship at Laramie County Community College, 1400 East College Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82007 or Wyoming Chapter of Alzheimer's Association, 119 3rd Street, Douglas WY 82631.

This is useful information for all who travel to Russia and do not know that buying and taking out antiques / culturally important object, even if under 50 yrs, can lead to fines and hassles. This is the procedure: Be careful. (from today's Moscow Times) : Wednesday, April 11, 2007. Issue 3634. Page 12. Likbez: Taking Your Treasures Home By Maria Antonova Special to The Moscow Times Vladimir Filonov / MT When it comes to exporting some antique items, the word from experts is: Don't even try. "If a valuable antique is more than 100 years old, it is almost impossible to take it out of Russia," said Oleg Stetsyura, director of Gelos auction house. "If it's between 50 and 100, your chances are better." However, even those items can be a problem: Officials said Monday that a U.S. diplomat was being investigated on suspicion of trying to smuggle 75 rare Soviet posters out of the country -- a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison and a 1 million ruble fine (about $38,600). The diplomat was allowed to fly out of Russia but the posters, said to include national treasures of museum value, were confiscated. If in doubt, take a photo of the antique before you buy it and show it to the Federal Service for Media Law Compliance and Cultural Heritage, said Denis Lukashin, director of Art Consulting, which provides historical and chemical expertise services. The agency is known in Russian as Rosokhrankultura. "Sometimes people face a criminal charge at the border because they were in a rush or didn't think about the necessary documentation," Lukashin said. "In one case, a person had a recently painted icon, but on a very old piece of wood. Little things like that can cause you a lot of wasted time and energy." To avoid unnecessary border conflicts, you need to obtain a document from the Culture and Press Ministry that describes your antique as having no cultural value that would prevent it from leaving the country. There are two different procedures, for older and more recently made objects. If your artwork or object is not more than 50 years old, you need to go to the culture ministry branch on Ulitsa Arbat. Take three photos of your item, a photocopy of your passport and the proof of purchase. On site you will have to fill out a form describing your item and give all of the papers to ministry staff. A small fee is charged for the appraisal service, which you have to pay at a branch of Sberbank. Return with a receipt and instructions on where to pick up your documents when they are ready -- usually within several days. For items more than 50 years old, you have to follow a different procedure. First, call the Department of Preservation of Cultural Treasures to make an appointment. When you go to the appointment, take three color photos of the item, a copy of your passport, and the proof of purchase or ownership of the item. Usually it takes two to three weeks to get the necessary papers ready, and even longer if additional chemical or art history evaluation is required. If your item is proven to have cultural value but doesn't fall under a category of unexportable items, you will need to pay a State Duty fee. The fee for items more than 50 years old is 10 percent of market value, and 5 percent for items 50 years old or less. A list of documents and rules is posted on the cultural heritage service's web site: http://rosohrancult.ru/works/import/. Department of Preservation of Cultural Treasures, 7 Kitaigorodsky Proyezd, Room 103, 928-5089 (call ahead to make an appointment), M. Kitai-Gorod. Culture and Press Ministry, Moscow branch committee, 53/6 Ul. Arbat, 244-7675, M. Smolenskaya, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Forwarded by Vera Beljakova-Miller