VGI Updates

Auenheim, Kr. Ortenau, Baden-Württemberg

Auenheim is located a few kilometers north of Kehl along the German border with France - directly across the river from Strasbourg, France. Since 1975, Auenheim has been administratively part of the city of Kehl.

Historically, Auenheim was part of various configurations of the Lichtenberg family (Hanau-Lichtenberg) until 1736 when it fell Ludwig of Hesse-Darmstadt, the son of Charlotte of Hanau-Lichtenberg. When the Electorate of Baden was formed in 1803, it became part of its current territorial configuration.

Church:

Zip Zimmerman

Submitted by bmai on Thu, 09/12/2024 - 09:03

Francis Eugene "Zip" Zimmerman, son of William F. Zimmerman & Loretta Weaver, was born 30 April 1938 in Hays, Kansas. He died 13 October 2014 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Zimmerman was a professional photographer having served as the official U.S. Navy photographer for the Apollo 8 splashdown, and serving President's Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford as a personal White House Press photographer, traveling to historical summits, treaties, and countries with the presidents and their dignitaries.

Hanna, Alberta

Submitted by bmai on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 18:44

Volga German families settled in and around Hanna, Alberta.

David Ruhl

Submitted by bmai on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 18:36

David Ruhl, son of Henry Ruhl & Mary Katherine Schafer, was born 12 August 1920 in Watts, Alberta, and died 21 December 1988 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Dave Ruhl was a professional wrestler with a 30-year career. He was the last NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion.

Dave's Volga German ancestors came from the colony of Kraft.

Ivan Prediger

Submitted by bmai on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 18:10

Ivan Leroy Prediger, son of Peter John Prediger & Freida Jane Magdalinski, was born 31 January 1941 in Neilburg, Saskatchewan, and died 6 May 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Ivan was a professional hockey player (1959-1972) with the Estevan Bruins, Seattle Totems, Omaha Knights, Fort Wayne Komets, Des Moines Oak Leafs, Toledo Hornets, Waterloo Black Hawks, and Las Vegas Outlaws. He then went on to coach with the Battleford Barons, Kamloop Chiefs, Des Moines Buccaneers, and Fort McMurray Oil Barons.

Ivan's Volga German ancestors came from the colony of Volmer.

Andy Maurer

Submitted by bmai on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 17:28

Andrew Lee "Andy" Maurer, son of Raymond George Maurer & Halie Abell, was born 30 September 1948 in Silverton, Oregon.

Andy Maurer played guard and tackle in the National Football League (1970 to 1978) with the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings (Super Bowl 1975), New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos (Super Bowl 1978). He started in 84 of the 109 regular seasons games in which he played.

Andy died 3 January 2016 in Medford, Oregon.

His Volga German ancestors came from the colonies of Rothammel and Pfeifer.

Ron Franz

Submitted by bmai on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 11:34

Ron Franz, son of Rudolph Franz & Mollie Budfuloski, was born 20 October 1945 in Kansas City, Kansas.

John Elsenbach

Submitted by bmai on Tue, 09/10/2024 - 14:46

Cinematographer John William Elsenbach, son of Peter Elsenbach & Barbara Groh, was born 1 March 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. He died at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, on 13 November 2004.

Variety reports:

June 7-21, 2025 - Volga German Tour to Germany

Submitted by bmai on Tue, 09/10/2024 - 14:23

Dr. Brent Mai, director of the Volga German Institute and Dean of Libraries at Wichita State University, and Dr. Mila Koretnikov from the Cooperative University of Baden-Württemberg in Karlsruhe, Germany, will be leading a tour to visit the ancestral German villages of our Volga German ancestors June 7-21, 2025.

Donald Bissing

Submitted by bmai on Tue, 09/10/2024 - 13:59

Donald Eugene Bissing, son of Francis "Frank" Adam Bissing & Josephine "Pearl" Benjamin, was born on 10 September 1934 in McCook, Nebraska.

Dr. Bissing received his education at Fort Hays State University, the University of Kansas, and Harvard University, He was an organic chemist and mathematician. During his career he worked with Monsanto Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri, where he developed numerous patents that include Lasso Pre-Emmirtant Herbicide and Roundup. He also worked for BASF in Wyandotte, Michigan, and FMC Corp. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.