AN ASTRONAUT IN THE FAMILY! In 1998, cousins Paul Koehler and Ron Loeb visited Germany to try to trace some of the family tree with information from the Reitz, Loeb (Lob) and Koehler (Kohler) Pleve Charts from the Volga Russia area. There was not much information gathered about the Loeb or the Koehler branches from the Pleve Charts. However, another three generations, on the Reitz branch, was found along with where they had lived, where they went to church, and what their daily lives were like as “Field Watchers” (shepards). We did find they moved every couple of years before they left for the Volga area in Russia. In this research I was able to fit into the Reitz tree the name of Reiter from Monstadt in Hintertauns, in the Hessen area. The Reiter’s had lived there for generations. Rudi Reider (6-17-1923), father of Thomas Reiter, spent 13 years of his youth in Monstadt. He became a World War II pilot for the German Air Force. Thomas Reiter followed in his father’s foot steps, in the love of flying. He has become an Astronaut with the European Space Agency. It is an accomplishment to have lived for over a year in space, without setting his foot on “Mother Earth”! Thomas Reiter spent six months in the Russian Space Ship MIUR and another six months in the International Space Lab. He will be coming back to earth on December 22, 2006 aboard the Space Ship Discovery. A picture and a biographical data about Thomas Reiter can be seen at web site: www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/reiter-t.html Paul Koehler December 15, 2006 Merry Christmas to all and God Speed to Thomas Reiter and the entire crew of Discovery.

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Cheyenne, WY 19 Aug 2006 Mildred M. Hickman 1906-2006 Mildred M. Hickman, 100, of Cheyenne died Dec. 17 at Lifecare Center. She was born Sept. 13, 1906, in Valentine, Neb. She was a retired abstractor for Laramie County Abstract and Tile. She married Ray Hickman on March 4, 1944, in Omaha, Neb. She was a member of Community of Christ, General Federated Women's Club, FAA Gals, Chatando Group and Birthday Club. Mrs. Hickman is survived by nieces and nephews, Scott Hickman and Jeffrey Hickman, both of Cheyenne, Jean Hickman of Spring, Texas, Georgia Belville of Valentine, Jeannie Sullivan of Lincoln, Neb., Shirley Dietz of Nebraska, William Pearson of Colorado, Sally Eshelman of South Carolina and Betty Mendenhall of Longmont, Colo. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Hickman, and two brothers, Harold and Forest Williams. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Schrader Chapel with the Elder Ron Hirst officiating. Burial will be in Wood Lake, Neb.

Fort Morgan Times Fort Morgan, Colorado Freda Loose, 86 School cook for 30 years, she enjoyed cards, gardening Monday, December 18, 2006 7:05 PM MST Print this story - Email this story Freda Loose, 86, passed away early Friday, December 15, 2006, at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush. She was born October 13, 1920, in Sedgwick, CO to George and Mary Foos. When Freda was a child the Foos family moved to Morgan County. On March 6, 1941, Freda married Dave Loose in Kimball, NE. Prior to retirement, Freda worked as a cook at the Fort Morgan Middle School. She retired after working 30 years for the Fort Morgan Public School District as a cook. She was a member of the Immanuel Evangelical Church and before ill health forced her to stop, was involved in the Ladies Group at the church. She enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle. She also enjoyed working in her garden, growing flowers, sewing, and cooking. Survivors include her husband, Dave of Brush; 4 children, Gloria Garner, and her husband, Don of Minatare, NE, Larry, and his wife, Denise, and John all of Fort Morgan, and Becky Yearous, and her husband, Jim, of Potter, NE; 4 grandchildren, Robbie Loose and his family of Wellington, CO, Lonnie Loose and his family of Fort Morgan, Marty Yearous and his family of Potter, NE, and Tommy Yearous of Westminster, CO; and 8 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 9 brothers and 1 sister, and her parents. Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at 1:30 PM at the Immanuel Evangelical Church. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary on Monday, December 18, from 2 - 6 PM. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center Alzheimer’s Unit. Paid obituary.

Scottsbluff Star Hearld Scottsbluff, NE 19 Dec 2006 TORRINGTON, Wyo. - Selma "Sally" Weber, 98, died Dec. 17, 2006, at Mitchell Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Torrington, Wyo. with Reverend Marvin Temme officiating. Viewing hours are Wednesday from 1 to 7 p.m. and prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow Valley View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home, and friends are invited to send condolences to the family at www.colyerfunerlhome.com. Sally was born April 27, 1908, in Garden City, Kan., the daughter of Henry and Katherine (Schaffer) Willman. The family moved to Colorado where she received her education. There she met and married Fred Weber in Greeley on June 27, 1929. They lived in Colorado and Nebraska before moving to Lingle, Wyo., where they farmed until 1972. The couple then retired and moved to Torrington. Selma and Fred celebrated 68 years of marriage with one another before Fred's passing in 1997. In April of 2001, Selma moved to Mitchell Care Center. She enjoyed cooking, being outdoors and playing cards with family and friends. Selma was also a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Audrey and Jack Lackman of Lyman, Neb. and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, and sons Kenneth and Keith Weber.

*Greeley Tribune Greeley, Colorado 12-19-2006 Henry Schwindt, Jr. * * * Sept. 29, 1920 - Dec. 17, 2006 Age: 86 Residence: Greeley Tribute: Henry Schwindt, Jr., was born in Fort Collins to Henry Schwindt Sr., and Katherine (Troudt) Schwindt. He married Frieda Schreiner on July 28, 1940, in Fort Collins. She preceded him on Nov. 5, 2002. Mr. Schwindt had lived and farmed in Fort Collins until 1979, moving to Keenesburg until 1984, and he moved to Greeley. He had farmed his whole life, and ran a cow/calf operation, and he fed cattle. He also worked for Great Western Sugar Company in Greeley from 1984-99, and as a High Ten Sugar Beet producer several times. He was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church in Fort Collins, a member of Young Farmers, was awarded the Outstanding Young Farmer Award in the mid-'70s, and was a member of the Chimney Rock Association. He loved farming, enjoyed rodeos and fairs, enjoyed his grandchildren's activities and loved to visit with everyone. Mr. Schwindt died Sunday at Kenton Manor Health Care Center. Survivors: Two sons, Harold E. Schwindt and his wife Myrna of Fort Collins, Alex H. Schwindt and his wife Toby of Wheatland, Wyo.; three daughters, Karen K. Zavodny of Loveland, Barb E. Smith and husband Phil of Severance, Marlene P. Bell and wife Matt of Keenesburg; two brothers, Harold Schwindt and wife Jean of Fort Collins, Edward Schwindt and wife Gladys of Windsor; a sister, Alice Schnorr of Fort Collins; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: His parents, his wife Frieda, seven brothers, seven sisters and a grandchild. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at Allnutt Funeral Service Macy Chapel. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Allnutt Funeral Service Macy Chapel. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley. Note: Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association or American Heart Association in care of Allnutt, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may view the online obit and sign the guestbook at www.allnutt.com <http://www.allnutt.com>.

Casper Star Tribune Casper, WY 17 Dec 2006 Howard Lee Hoffman Sunday, December 17, 2006 RIVERTON -- Memorial services for Howard Lee Hoffman, 94, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, at Davis Funeral Home with the Rev. Donald Schlicting officiating. Cremation has taken place. He died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Riverton Memorial Hospital. He was born July 18, 1912, in Scottsbluff, Neb., the son of Fraser Marion Hoffman and Helen Marguerit (Lechband) Hoffman. The family moved to Riverton in 1917, where his father managed the town's first power company. He graduated from Riverton High School in 1929 and attended the University of Wyoming for two years, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. During WWII he served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific as a chief radio technician. Following the war, he returned to Riverton where he joined the family business, Hoffman Tire and Electric, which later evolved into Hoffman Electric, Inc. As an electrical contractor, he was involved with the wiring of schools, banks, businesses, residences and churches. He was also involved with the lighting of Winkelman Dome Field, Sand Draw Gas Field, and the connection of the generators at Lucky Mac Uranium. He also led the completion of many Riverton City projects. He retired in 1973 and sold his business, which still operates from its Main Street location in Riverton. He was a charter member of the Wyoming Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, the Masonic Lodge, and Kalif Shrine. Upon retiring he enjoyed fly fishing, golf, and traveling with his wife. He also enjoyed listening to books on tape. Survivors include his daughters, Jan Shavlik and her husband of Dubois and Betsy Flickner and her husband of Littleton, Colo.; and two grandsons. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Hoffman and his sister, Ruth Hoffman. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Riverton or the Central Wyoming College Foundation in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main, Riverton, 82501. Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.

Scottsbluff Star Hearld Scottsbluff, NE 17 Dec 2006 MORRILL - Arthur Deines, 84, of Morrill, died Friday, Dec.15, 2006, at Regional West Medical Center at Scottsbluff. A Celebration of Arthur's life will be Thursday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Jones Mortuary at Mitchell with Dr. Charles H. Richardson officiating. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Morrill. A Memorial has been established to the Nebraska Boys Ranch, 2410 Box Butte Av., Alliance, NE. 69301. Friends may call at the Mortuary, Wednesday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Online condolences may be left at jonesmor@charterinternet.com. Arthur was born Nov. 18, 1922, one of 13 children of Johannes and Maria Margaret (Bauer) Deines. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1941. Arthur was united in marriage to Leona Schlotthauer, Nov. 18, 1944 at Mitchell. He farmed in the Dutch Flats area for over 60 years. Due to his commitment to education, he volunteered several years of service on the Morrill School Board, had been a member of the Board of Directors of the Great Western Beet Growers Association, and was a High 10 Great Western Sugar Co. Sugar Beet Grower. Arthur is survived by his daughter Pat Gross and her husband Allen of rural Bayard, son Michael Deines and Jeanie Bunnecke of New York, grandsons Gregory Gross and his wife Jill and Kevin Gross all of Omaha, loving companion Florence Weber of Scottsbluff, sisters June Dittenber of Mitchell, Mary Feagler of Torrington, Ruth Ewing of Loveland, Colo., Emma Deines of Hastings, brother Victor Deines of Scottsbluff, numerous nieces and nephews, farming associate and close family friend Augustine Soto and his immediate family. His parents, wife Leona June 24, 1994, four sisters and three brothers preceded Arthur in death.

BRETTHAUER, DON 1923 - 2006 A funeral service will be held for Don Bretthauer at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at Fir Lawn Mortuary. Don passed away Dec. 10, 2006, at 83 years of age surrounded by his son and grandchildren at his son's home in Hillsboro. Don was born in Hillsboro, Aug. 20, 1923. He graduated from Hillsboro High School. After high school he was inducted into the Army. He served in World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After his return from war, he married his high school sweetheart, Elsie Crowley on Aug. 11, 1944. Together, Don and Elsie started the family business, Bretthauer Oil Co. Don's brother Ron worked in the business in the 1960s and '70s and started his own business, Bretthauer Road Oil. Don's son Andy took over the business in 1988, the same year Elsie died. Don enjoyed travel and watching his grandchildren play sports. He is survived by his second wife, Melba; his son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Betsy; two grandchildren, Kevin and Alex; and his brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Marj Bretthauer. He is also survived by his caregiver, Michele Dorsey, who was with him the last year of his life as his friend and confidant. Published in The Oregonian on 12/16/2006. <http://obits.oregonlive.com/Oregon/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=20289710>

Edward Herbert Grasmick Born in Sugar City, Colorado on July 14, 1928 Departed on Dec. 7, 2006 and resided in Pueblo, CO. (http://obit.memorialobituaries.com/svf_card.cgi?type=Ser&id=1130352&clientid=montgomerysteward&l isting=Current) (http://obit.memorialobituaries.com/guestbook.cgi?id=360878&clientid=montgomerysteward&listing=Current) Edward Herbert Grasmick peacefully crossed to his eternal resting place on December 6, 2006, at home with his loving wife of 31 years and family. Eddie was born in Sugar City, CO., July 14, 1928, to the union of the late Peter Grasmick and Marie Termer. Both families migrated to Colorado after following Catherine the Great to Russia from Germany. Upon graduation from Sugar City High School, he served as a Marine in the Korean War where his love of children surrounded him with in need families. His large heart had him write the Ordway newspaper asking for donations for these children. He went to work as a switchman on the C&W Railroad at the CF&I Steel Mill and became a yard master until his retirement in 2000 from the Rocky Mountain Steel Mills after 45 years of service. He raced motorcycles for 20 years enjoying the thrill of speed and if he lost the race he got a new bike for the next race! Preceded in death by his father and mother; the only father he knew, AJ Smith; and brother, William Joe Smith. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Mary; brother, Leo (Shirley) Smith, Midland, Texas; sister, Elizabeth (Fred) Wheeler, Franktown, CO.; his loving family, Ray, Robin and Larry Sinclair, Kimberly (Glenn) Hinson, Camden, SC, Christine, Philip and Nicholas Sinclair, Pueblo, CO., Brandi Ray and Taylor Watts, Camden, SC, Lee Arthur and Dean Louis Cage, Pueblo West. The reasons for his smiles, Shanon M. (Erin) Sinclair-Grasmick, Tabitha L. Sinclair-Grasmick, Tyler Jacob and Michael Anthony Sinclair; his beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Eddie was confirmed at St Paul's Lutheran church in Sugar City and was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Pueblo. Eddie lovingly donated his body to Science Care with the hope of one day finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease and Gilliam Barre Syndrome. Summer of 2007, his cremated remains will be taken to the high mountains that he so loved. A celebration of his life and the love he so unconditionally gave will be celebrated from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 10, 2006, at his home, 1341 Cody Avenue. The Eddie Grasmick Memorial Scholarship Fund is in honor of his great love for all children. A very special “Thank You!”, Dr. L. Jensen, Virginia, Shelly and Staff, Dr. Jan Davis and Dr. James Smith, for the loving care and guidance, Gerry Montgomery of Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors for his kindness and caring. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com

Jolliffe Funeral Home Scottsbluff, Nebraska 12-16-2006 *Pete Aschenbrenner III* 2006-12-15 PETE ASCHENBRENNER III Pete Aschenbrenner III, 69, of Gering, died Thursday, December 14, 2006 at Regional West Medical Center. His funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 18, 2006 at Rejoice Lutheran Church in Gering, with Pastor Helmut Yurk officiating. His remains will be cremated per his request. Inurnment will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. A prayer service will be held at the Jolliffe Funeral Home in Scottsbluff at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 17, 2006. Memorials in Pete’s name may be made to Rejoice Lutheran Church. Condolences may be made by visiting www.jolliffefuneralhome.com, which will be forwarded to the family. Pete was born January 16, 1937 in Bayard, Nebraska, to Pete Jr. and Mary (King) Aschenbrenner. He attended South Highland, Minatare and Mitchell high schools and Scotts Bluff Junior College. He was an outstanding football and basketball player and all around athlete. He married Sharlene M. Burbach December 1, 1957 in Scottsbluff. Pete farmed and raised cattle in Minatare and Mitchell Valley for forty-two years with his brother Robert before retiring in 1996. Pete enjoyed hunting and fishing, planting his garden of tomatoes and was an avid Pepsi collector. He was a proud member of Rejoice Lutheran Church and served on the church council. Pete was a loving husband, father and grandfather who brought much love and laughter to our family. We will always remember his kindness and generosity. He held a very special place in his heart for his granddaughter Abby and she will always be “Grandpa’s Girl.” Survivors include his wife Sharlene, daughters Arlene Guzman and her husband Richard of Gering, Paula Trupp and her husband Jim, also of Gering, granddaughter Abby Guzman of Gering, Brother Robert Aschenbrenner and his wife Betty of Torrington, WY, nephew Steve Aschenbrenner and his wife Alicia and their children Jason and Amy, all of Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his parents

Herr and Jollife Mortuary Fort Morgan, Colorado 12-16-2006 Obituaries Freda Loose (Died December 15, 2006) Sign Guest Book | Send Private Condolences Freda Loose, 86, passed away early Friday, December 15, 2006, at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush. She was born October 13, 1920, in Sedgwick, CO to George and Mary Foos. When Freda was a child the Foos family moved to Morgan County. On March 16, 1941, Freda married Dave Loose in Kimball, NE. Prior to retirement, Freda worked as a cook at the Fort Morgan Middle School. She retired after working 30 years for the Fort Morgan Public School District as a cook. She was a member of the Emmanuel Evangelical Church and before ill health forced her to stop was involved in the Ladies Group at the church. She enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle. She also enjoyed working in her garden, growing flowers, sewing, and cooking. Survivors include her husband, Dave of Brush; 4 children, Gloria Garner, and her husband, Don of Minitare, NE, Larry, and his wife, Denise, and John all of Fort Morgan, and Becky Yearous, and her husband, Jim, of Potter, NE; 4 grandchildren, Robbie Loose and his family of Wellington, CO, Lonnie Loose and his family of Fort Morgan, Marty Yearous and his family of Potter, NE, and Tommy Yearous of Westminster, CO; and 8 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 9 brothers and 1 sister, and her parents. Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at 1:30 PM at the Emmanuel Evangelical Church. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary on Monday, December 18, from 2 - 6 PM. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center Alzheimer's Unit.

Hi Hugh and friends, Quite coincidentally, I have been reading up on Russian military history of the late 18th century, and came across masses of Mentions of "on the Line" - "die Linie" .... it refers to a (any) "line of fortifications" which Russia built to safeguard itself and its population from attacks by 'outside' tribes and minorities not yet conquered. So, in the case of the Volga villages, their nearest line of fortifications were the Cossack 'line' of villages. It's similar to border/frontier or the old-fashioned Russian and French expression 'cordone'. For example, I am reading about the fortresses and the "Line of fortification" of Azov-Mozdok, and by 1785, the fortifications/line of Stavrople became a town. The 'line" or lines of fortification kept being pushed back as the empire expanded. Vera Beljakova-Miller

Billings Gazette Billings, MT 15 Dec 2006 BALLANTINE - Daniel Yakel, age 90, of Ballantine, passed away at Billings Health and Rehabilitation Center on Dec. 12, 2006. Daniel was born Dec. 17, 1915, in Lincoln, Neb., the son of Mary Greenwalt and George Yakel. He was married to Marjorie Olson on March 2, 1938, in Billings. Daniel worked for Burlington Northern Railroad with his good friend, Harold Karst, retiring in 1972. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie; a sister, Pauline of Simi Valley, Calif.; three sons, Ronald (Karen) of Glendive, David (Eleanor) of Manassas, Va., Thomas (Linda) of Billings; daughter, Judy (Jake) Widner of Jefferson City, Mo. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, at Smith's Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27th St. Viewing will be Sunday, Dec. 17, from 12 noon to 3 p.m., and prior to services on Monday. Interment will take place at Pleasantview Cemetery after cremation. Memorials may be made to "Sister of Charity," St. Vincent's Hospital or the Worden Ambulance Service.

Frank, I didn't have time to visit this when I was in Fulda last year, but the place where you waited for the Russian army to invade is now a historical/memorial site. The web site for "Memorial Place Point Alpha" is here: http://www.pointalpha.com/index2.html Maggie Hein Chicago, IL -----Original Message----- >From: frank jacobs <fjacobs@cox.net> >Sent: Dec 14, 2006 7:26 AM >To: List <Ger-Volga-L@rootsweb.com> >Subject: [GER-VOLGA] Fw: Fulda country > > >Greetings, > >With the interest in Fulda, Germany this week, I wanted to share a Kansas geography connection. >If you every drive east across Kansas on I- 70, about 30 miles west of Topeka is the little town of Paxico, Kansas >which was settled by people from the Fulda area. They used to have a map of the countryside painted on the restaurant >wall there. Now Paxico is a little antique store, a tourist crossroad town, which has its own Octoberfest. An obvious place to do > research if interested in Fulda region immigrants. However while Oberkalbach was described as 95% Lutheran with a very > few Catholics, there is a large German Catholic church in the neighboring village. > >My job in the US Army in the 1960s was to ride in the 3rd Armored Division into the Fulda gap in the hill country to meet the >expected invading Russian Army, while NATO counterattacked. Fortunately the Russians never came, or I would not be here writing >today. > >Frank Jacobs Topeka, Kansas > >------------------------------- >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 message

Hallo List: I wish to extend thanks to all those who responded to my request concerning the phrase "an die Linie." I wish to especially thank: Timothy J. Kloberdanz at NDSU Marguerite Palmquist in Michigan (right near my hometown) And, Vladimir Chutchev in Samara, Russia These folks enabled us to determine that "an die Linie" referred to the journey from Wolga region southward to the Norhern Caucasus range. A journey which was taken by many Wolga Germans to work the fields and vineyards of that region when times were tough and extra money was needed to get by. It would appear that the journey was particularly irksome and downright hazardous during the famine years. From the Huck colony, it was three weeks one way by horse and wagon and during the famine years there were few horses and not much in the way of feed for them on the journey. From correspondence received in the 20's it is apparent that many folk died making the journey. I thank all of you, very much! Hugh Lichtenwald, from the farm in Monetta, SC

Billings Gazette Billings, MT 14 Dec 2006 Rosie Streck Byars Hamilton passed away peacefully at Valley Health Care, Dec. 11, 2006. She was born on Aug. 9, 1917, to George and Mary Durland Fox Streck (Marie Fuchs) in Laurel. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Ann Byars; grandchildren Korin Anderson Schmidt (Derek) and Heidi Anderson; and great-grandchildren, Joseph Tyler Dowler and Camden Walker Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her parents; her baby son, David Michael Byars (Aug. 4, 1944 - Dec. 19, 1944); her husbands, Conrad Clinton Byars Jr. "C.C." (Dec. 3, 1916 - Nov. 2, 1959) and James Harold Hamilton "Hap" (Aug. 21, 1915 - Oct. 10, 1995); her great-grandson Cody Anderson Dowler (Aug. 2, 1994 - Jan. 30, 2000); and her siblings, George Streck, Emily Roach, Clara Cuculich, Mary Veatch, Saschia Streck and Jacob Streck. She grew up in Laurel, where she went to school through the eighth grade. She received her high school equivalency certificate in 1973 in Casper. Her parents were Germans who were born in Linovesky, Russia. Her oldest brother and sister, George and Emily, were also born in Linovesky, Russia. They entered the U.S. from Quebec through Port Huron, Mich., on the vessel GTR. The rest of the children were born in the Laurel area. She met and married C.C. Byars Jr. in Billings and had two children, David Michael and Barbara Ann. Rose and C.C. lived in Seattle and San Diego before moving back to Billings in 1948. Rose and C.C. were divorced in 1953. Rose worked at the Northern Hotel's Golden Belle Saloon from 1948 until 1965, when she married James Harold Hamilton who was originally from Miles City. They lived in Casper, Wyo., where they owned the Western Motel until they retired in 1974. Rose moved to Billings in November of 1999 to live with her daughter Barbara. Rose will be buried in Casper on Dec. 15, following a family graveside memorial.

Greetings, With the interest in Fulda, Germany this week, I wanted to share a Kansas geography connection. If you every drive east across Kansas on I- 70, about 30 miles west of Topeka is the little town of Paxico, Kansas which was settled by people from the Fulda area. They used to have a map of the countryside painted on the restaurant wall there. Now Paxico is a little antique store, a tourist crossroad town, which has its own Octoberfest. An obvious place to do research if interested in Fulda region immigrants. However while Oberkalbach was described as 95% Lutheran with a very few Catholics, there is a large German Catholic church in the neighboring village. My job in the US Army in the 1960s was to ride in the 3rd Armored Division into the Fulda gap in the hill country to meet the expected invading Russian Army, while NATO counterattacked. Fortunately the Russians never came, or I would not be here writing today. Frank Jacobs Topeka, Kansas

Scottsbluff Star Hearld Scottsbluff, NE 13 Dec 2006 Mary Schanaman, 88, of Scottsbluff, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at Heritage Estates in Gering. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, at Salem Congregational Church with Pastor Dale Brown officiating. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Visitation will be at the funeral home Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Salem Congregational Church. Condolences may be made by visiting www.jolliffefuneralhome.com and will be forwarded to the family. Jolliffe Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Mary was born Sept. 18, 1918, in Minatare to Fred and Mary (Schmidt) Margheim, she attended the Minatare schools. She married Benjamin Schanaman March 14, 1936 he died in 1939. Mary then married Fred Schanaman Nov. 20, 1942; he preceded her in death on Sept. 23, 1989. Mary worked for the United Telephone Co. for 32 years as an operator, retiring in 1983. Mary was a proud member of Salem Congregational Church as well as the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed being around her children and grandchildren. Mary was very generous, kind and brought joy to everyone. She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Allen of Portland Ore., Marian and husband Harry Peister and Norma and husband Ken Meyer all of Scottsbluff; grandchildren, Tom Peister, Steven Peister, Jolie Schwartzkopf, Jon Meyer, Merelo Watt and Tiffany Sullivan, as well as 11 great-grandchildren. Her parents, both husbands and three sisters preceded Mary in death.

<http://obits.oregonlive.com/Oregon/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=20258820> BUSCH, PETER JOHN 1910-2006. Peter John Busch died Dec. 1, 2006, at age 96. Born Nov. 22, 1910, in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada, Mr. Busch was a poster artist in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan from 1934 to 1937. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1940 to 1945, and worked as a cabinet maker from 1937 to 1976. In 1936 he married Gladys Darby. Peter and Gladys immigrated to Portland from Canada in 1949. Gladys passed away in 2005. Peter is survived by one son, Gerald and his wife; two grand-sons, Todd and Brad and his wife; a great-grandson; and three brothers. A private graveside service was held Dec. 7 at Rose City Cemetery. Published in The Oregonian on 12/12/2006. Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities

This is in response to Hugh Lichtenwald's query regarding the idiomatic phrase "an die Linie." The term was used a lot by Volga German colonists when referring to going down to the Caucaus area to do seasonal agricultural work. My maternal grandparents often spoke of going "an die Linie" and making a little extra money when times were hard. In my grandparents' case, "die Linie" was the Kuban River area of the North Caucasus region, near the cities of Krasnodar, Kropotkin, and Armavir. There were many ethnic German daughter colonies and settlements in these areas. Some old timers from Russia described these settlements as a "line" (or string) of villages that could be found all along the Kuban. The settlements dated from as early as the 1840s but the great movement of Volga German colonist-workers to the Caucasus region did not take place until the 1860s-early 1900s. Hope this background information proves helpful. Professor Timothy J. Kloberdanz, PhD North Dakota State University hugh lichtenwald wrote: > Hallo List: > > I've been doing some translating of late and keep coming across a phrase which I don't understand...It's probably an idiomatic expression with which I am not familiar. > > The literal translation doesn't make a great deal of sense which leads me to believe its Idiomatic. > > some examples: > > In the spring brother Peter went with his family "an die Linie." > > We drove "an der Linie" to bury Philipp Ivanov at Easter. > > There are a few more examples I could dig up but I figure that there are better German speakers than I out there who will recognize the phrase. > > Best I can figure is that the Linie is either a River (the Huck VC tells me there is no River by that name in the area), or perhaps a railroad line that folks worked on to get a few extra bucks. > > OR, it could mean something totally different. The phrase is usually found in the context of people going there or dying there or coming back from there. > > Anyway, you should know the phrase is associated with people from the colony of Huck, I am unaware of its use anywhere else...(although it could have been in general use if the "Linie" was a railroad being built in the Wolga region in the early 20's. That's what I'm hoping anyway). > > I await your replies with breathless anticipation. > > Hugh Lichtenwald, from the farm in Monetta, SC > > ------------------------------- > 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 message >