LADIES AUXILIARY CELEBRATES 105TH ANNIVERSARY

In celebration of it’s 105th anniversary year, the Lutheran Home Ladies Auxiliary has commissioned a special commemorative Christmas ornament for sale from members and at the reception desk at the Lutheran Home, 7500 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.

The 2½ inch red satin heart-shaped ornament is inscribed with the words “Lutheran Home Ladies Auxiliary Celebrating 105 Years of Service”. It comes packaged in a clear plastic box tied with a gold cord and includes a plastic hangar for tree trimming readiness. The ornaments are $10 each or three for $20. They make an ideal Christmas gift for anyone who has been touched by the tradition of the Lutheran Home, for a resident, in memory of a loved one, or as a gift to the Lutheran Home to decorate one of its many trees during the holiday season. The blank side of the ornament can be inscribed with a name or message using a craft pen.

“We are very proud of the longevity of service-time this organization has provided to the Lutheran Home”, said Auxiliary president, Jan Brunow. “It’s an honor to number ourselves among the many, many ladies before us who have dedicated their time to serving the residents of the Lutheran Home. Their legacy, like ours, is to pass this kind of commitment along to the next generation of Auxiliary members”, she added.

About the Ladies Auxiliary

The “Frauenkomitee” or Ladies Auxiliary was founded by 9 women around the same time that the “Altenheim” or Home for the Elderly began, to support the Home with time, materials, and money.

The 9 charter members were Mrs. Frank Damkoehler, Mrs. Herman Duemling, Mrs. Adam Gettelman, Mrs. John C. (Elizabeth) Koch (nee Pritzlaff; first president of Auxiliary), Mrs. H. August (Emma) Luedke (nee Pritzlaff; second president of Auxiliary), Mrs. George Mayer, Mrs. August Schroeder, Mrs. William A. Schroeder, and Mrs. William A. Starke.

One of the charter members, Elizabeth Pritzlaff Koch, was the first to offer $5,000 toward establishment of a foundation for elderly Lutherans that became the “Altenheim.” She donated all furnishings for the new 1911 building’s chapel, including the lectern and pipe organ.  Elizabeth was the sister of another original donor and charter member, Emma Pritzlaff Luedke.

Assistance to the Home has been the focus of the Auxiliary since the very beginning: The reading-meeting room in the 1911 building was completely furnished by the Auxiliary. At Christmas 1912, the Auxiliary supplied program books, greeting cards, apples, and nuts.  All ironing and laundry equipment was provided by the Auxiliary. In April 1918, the 33 members held a bazaar at the Milwaukee Auditorium netting $10,066.63. The Auxiliary made and donated linens and many other items. Much of the canning and some food preparation was done until the 1940’s and 1950’s. The Auxiliary was also well known for the card parties and wonderful annual picnics held on the grounds for the residents.

Fundraising and service are still important today. Nearly 40 Auxiliary members continue to provide monthly birthday parties and Christmas poinsettias for the residents. Notable projects have included a large motor coach for residents, stained glass windows in Hardt Hall, new Chapel organ, software for Pastoral Services, special beds, banners for the Chapel and the outdoor light poles, new sound system in the Chapel, a big screen television and a state of the art bathing tub.

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Getting Involved

If you are interested in joining the ladies auxiliary, please contact Michelle Mittlesteadt at 414-258-6171, ext. 258 or via e-mail at Michelle.Mittelsteadt@thelutheranhome.org.

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