Frankenmuth Rotary

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New Officers Take Over
Mark Brandt passes gavel to John Benson
On July 1, 2010, new officers of the Frankenmuth Rotary Club took office. Outgoing President Mark Brandt handed over the gavel to incoming President John Benson, who becomes the 72nd President of our club. Other officers are President-Elect Wayne Bronner, Secretary Vickie Schmitzer, Treasurer Bill Rau, and Directors Mary Ann Hiles, Dan Bade, Mary Jo Krick, Deb Hardin, Mark Limberg, and Jeanna Zehnder.

2009 Community Service Award Goes to Fred Weiss
Judy presents Paul Harris Fellow recognition to Fred Weiss, shown with his wife, Lorraine
The Frankenmuth Rotary Club 2009 Community Service Award was presented to Fred Weiss at the November 19, 2009, meeting. Fred was introduced by Judy Zehnder Keller, chair of the club Paul Harris Committee, and a life-long friend. Paul Harris Fellow recognition accompanies the award.
Fred has devoted his entire life to farming and for the last 45 years has been the supplier of Hubbard squash to the Bavarian Inn and Zehnder’s. He was active in several agricultural organizations and served on the board of directors of the Star of the West Milling Company for 30 years and as chairman for eight years.
He served in the US Army Military Intelligence in Germany as an interpreter in 1945-46, and was catcher for the group’s fast-pitch softball team. After his release from active duty, Fred joined the American Legion and served on the Veteran’s Memorial Wall Committee.
Fred was the first appointed member of the Frankenmuth Township Planning Committee, serving for 30 years, and was also a representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the same period. He is a life-long member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and has served in many leadership positions, including the Boards of Education and Elders.
Fred has been married to Lorraine for 59 years and have four children: Beverly Fowls, David Weiss, Carolyn Weiss and Judy Dohrmann. They have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Frankenmuth Club Honors George Reinert
George Reinert and family (Frankenmuth News photo)
The Frankenmuth Rotary Club presented its 2008 Community Service Award to George Reinert at its meeting on November 13, 2008. Judy Zehnder Keller, chair of the club Paul Harris Committee introduced George and presented the Paul Harris Fellow recognition that accompanies the Service Award.
George's family members were in attendance, including his wife of 54 years, Shirley, his daughter, Linda Reinbold, and his sons, Dennis and Michael. The two sons now operate the Reinert & Bender Auto Collision Repair and Towing Service established in 1978 by their father, who continues to work part time.
He served in the US Army as a tank and equipment mechanic from 1951 to 1953, including 18 months in Korea. He was discharged as a Tech Sergeant and is a member of American Legion Post #150, VFW # 2725, and the Korean War Veterans.
George is a long-time member of the Frankenmuth volunteer fire department and served as Fire Chief from 1978 to 1988. In his remarks, he especially remembered the circumstances of the 1979 Gera fatal train crash and the "Great Flood of 1986", during which the firemen operated 23 pumpers.
Also attending the presentation were many of the previous recipients of the Frankenmuth Rotary Community Service Award.
Loesel Receives 2007 Community Service Award
President Judy presents the Paul Harris Fellow Certificate to Bob Loesel, while his father, Arno, and son, Paul, look on
The Frankenmuth Rotary Club presented its 2007 Community Service Award to Robert Loesel at its meeting on November 29 and named Loesel a Paul Harris Fellow. Attending the meeting were friends and family members, along with many previous recipients of the Community Service Award.
Bob has lived in Frankenmuth his entire life and is a 1957 graduate of Frankenmuth High School. He joined the Schaeffer and Bierlein auto dealership in 1958 as an equipment assembler and retired in 2004 as controller, after 46 years of service. He received the Thrivent for Lutherans Retired Volunteer Excellence Award in 2006 for his active service to his church and community.
He has served St. Lorenz Lutheran Church as elder, Secretary, Church Council member, coordinator off its Habitat for Humanity efforts, member of various other committees and boards, and singer in several of the church choirs. He has organized and led three trips to Alabama and Louisiana for construction relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
In the community, Bob was chairman of the Heritage Committee for the bicentennial celebration in Frankenmuth. He served for five years on the executive board of The Clothesline, a thrift shop operated by several local churches.
Bob and his wife of 45 years, Sally, have three children, Peggy, Roger, and Paul, as well as five grandchildren. Bob still runs in the annual Volkslaufe, having done so for the last 24 years.
Frankenmuth Morning Rotary Club Chartered
District Governor Bill Parlberg addresses the audience after presenting the club charter to President Russ Welchli of the new Frankenmuth Morning Rotary Club.
On Thursday, February 8, 2007, at the noon meeting of the Frankenmuth Rotary Club, District Governor Bill Parlberg presented the charter of the Frankenmuth Morning Rotary Club and welcomed its 28 charter members to Rotary. The new club becomes the 31st in District 6310, and announced that it has 100% membership participation in Rotary Foundation contributions. Gifts to the new club were presented by several district clubs. Nearly 200 people were in attendance, including members of both clubs, spouses, and district leaders.
Club Honors Frahm Brothers
Ralph (left) and Walter (right) Frahm
The Frankenmuth Rotary Club recognized a pair of gentlemen farmers and community leaders at its meeting on November 9, 2006. The club presented its 2006 Community Service Award to brothers Walter and Ralph Frahm. Judy Zehnder Keller, chair of the Paul Harris Committee presented Paul Harris recognition to each of the Frahms.
Rotarian Tom Jaffke introduced Walter Frahm and noted his 24 years of service on the Frankenmuth School Board, with 23 of those years as chairman. He also served eight years on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners. A graduate of Michigan State University, Walter has received many honors for his agricultural work, including being Saginaw County's first recipient of the Outstanding Young Farmer Award.
Brother Ralph Frahm's accomplishments were presented by Rotarian Barb Wenglikowski, a former co-worker at the local bank. Since 1972 he has been on the board of directors of the Saginaw County Agricultural Society, the organization that sponsors the Saginaw County Fair. He also received the Outstandin Young Farmer Award from the Saginaw Jaycees. His govermental service included two terms on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners and 20 years as Blumfield Township Clerk.
Both brothers have been extensively involved in 4-H activities as participants and long-time leaders. Both have been inducted into the Emerald Clover Society.
In attendance for the presentation were many Frahm family members and guests, as well as about 15 previous recipients of the Frankenmuth Rotary Community Service Award.