+ We mourn our members who have passed on in recent years + 2012 KARL W. ZIMMET It is with sadness to report that Karl Zimmet passed away on January 9, 2012 after a battle with bladder cancer. Karl and his wife Hilde joined the Sängerbund in 1977 and were active singers until health forced them to become inactive. Karl was a loyal singer and, for a time, served as music chair. He was always available to help out on any project or activity in which the club was involved. The Sängerbund will honor Karl at a memorial service on February 4, 2012 at 11:00am in the New Apostolic Church located at 21 North Quaker Lane at the intersection with Duke Street (Rt. 236) in Alexandria, Virginia. 2011 MARTIN K. SCHALLER Our long-time friend and Ehrenmitglied Martin Schaller passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2011. He had recently undergone gallbladder surgery and appeared on the way to recovery. Then the situation worsened and he returned to the hospital where he died on Sunday afternoon. As a representative of the government of the District of Columbia under Mayor Walter Washington, Marty knew of the Sängerbund's historical significance as one of the oldest organizations in the city, and also the only remaining German Choral Society. His own family's connection with German ancestry inspired him to become an active supporter. While he never was an active singer he still lent much advice and assistance on many occasions to help organize public musical and cultural events of the Sängerbund. He and his wife Leni (Helene) enjoyed many evenings at our Concerts where he frequently brought greetings from the mayor. He was a wonderful public speaker and for several years acted as the Master of Ceremonies at our Masquerade Balls in Fairfax. For all his contributions over the years Marty had been awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz by the German government, and he became an Honorary Member of the Washington Sängerbund. We deeply regret his passing. Our sincere sympathy goes to the Schaller family. The Family will receive friends on Sunday, November 27, 2011 from 5 to 8pm at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, Va. A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 11am at Hope Lutheran Church, 4604 Ravensworth Rd., Annandale, Va. MANFRED KNOOP We are very sad to hear that our good friend Manfred Knoop of Newark, NJ has passed away on Monday, February 14, 2011, at the age of only 62 years. He had stomach cancer, his family said. He is survived by his wife Birgit, and 13-year-old twins Kira and Nicholas. While Manfred was not a member of the Washington Sängerbund many of us remember him from Sängerfests and other singing events, where he appeared with his Sängerchor Newark singers and often invited us to join in the singing. Most recently he was one of the two Festdirigenten at the 50th Sängerfest in 2009 here in Washington, DC, which was sponsored by the Washington Sängerbund. We shall miss this wonderfully good natured and spirited chorus leader. 2010 RUTH DeLONG CHRISTIAN Ruth Christian slipped quietly into death on Sunday morning, December 19, 2010. She suffered with Alzheimer’s for several years and has finally found release. Ruth is survived by her loving husbund of 50 years, Don. While Don has been an active singer of the Saengerbund for more than 50 years, Ruth has always provided a helping hand in the background. Her ashes will be returned to Nova Scotia and scattered in the community where she was born. JAQUELINE “JACKIE” ELLISON Jackie Ellison passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 as a result of a tragic car accident. Jackie joined the Sängerbund in 1982 and was singing in our alto section. In 1988 she became a member of the Board of Directors and served as Corresponding Secretary. She really enjoyed being part of the chorus until she had to discontinue her participation because of an ailment that curtailed her physical activities. For her own safety she was only allowed to drive short distances to go shopping or visit in her neighborhood. The accident happened on May 1 when she went to the grocery store. Our sincere condolences go to her son Kurt Ellison and family. The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, May 14 at 2:00pm at St. John's Episcopal Church, 6701 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20813. The Sängerbund will participate in the service. ELSIE MESSINA Elsie Messina, a long-time member and supporter of the Washington Sängerbund passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Elsie was the daughter of Marie and Louis Busse who had been very active members of the Washington Sängerbund. She grew up experiencing the family atmosphere of the Sängerbund and recalled many of the happenings in her early years. Together with her husband Joe, she raised a family in the area and continued her close relationship with the Sängerbund. She and her husband Joe became members and dedicated supporters of the Sängerbund’s many functions and activities. Elsie eventually served for a number of years as Recording Secretary, as Treasurer and as Comptroller of the Sängerbund. In 2005, when the Washington Sängerbund was featured in the July 17 Washington Post nationally syndicated series called “Flashbacks” by cartoonist Patrick Reynolds, Elsie donated the funds to purchase the original drawing from the artist; it is now on display in the Concord clubrooms. Elsie spent her later years living with her daughter Susan Fleri. The Sängerbund extends sincere sympathy to the family. The viewing will be on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm at Borgwardt Funeral Home, 4400 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705. Funeral services on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 10am at St.Joseph’s Catholic Church, 11007 Montgomery Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705, followed by burial at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, MD WALTER MUELLER Walter Mueller in 2005 at Shirlington rainy Oktoberfest Walter Mueller passed away at his home on Monday, April 12, 2010. Walter had joined the Washington Sängerbund in 1952 and was a faithful member for more than 58 years. He was an active singer in the bass section until just a few years ago when Alzheimer's disease prevented him from attending the weekly rehearsals which he enjoyed so much. Over the years he became one of the most active members offering his help whenever help was needed. He is remembered for working long hours on weekends of the Sängerbund’s annual Oktoberfest. At Sängerbund partys he would bring along his accordion which, with a grin on his face, he called his “squeeze box” to strike up a tune for sing-along. He served on the board of directors in various capacities and for years, with the help of his wife Renate, was the editor of the newsletter “Quarternotes”, which was published every three months with Walter’s words of wisdom and funny lines. He received the Sängerbund’s "Honorary Membership" for his many years of outstanding service. The funeral services will be on Friday, April 16, 2010 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Landover Hills, MD. It was Walter’s wish that the Sängerbund sing “Das Morgenrot” as a final farewell. May he rest in peace. 2009 MAURICE GRESS Maurice Gress passed away on the afternoon of December 24, 2009. Carol and Herb Traxler called Maurice and Oksana following the Christmas Eve service at United Church, where his ilness was mentioned, to talk and share Christmas wishes. They learned from Oksana that Maurice had died that very afternoon. Maurice died at home after a long illness. The funeral mass will be at 1:30 on Tuesday, December 29 at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Arlington, VA with the burial to follow at Columbia Gardens cemetery. ALAN E. LUEHRMANN Alan Luehrmann passed away on Monday, December 21, 2009. Alan was one of our very enthusiastic singers in the bass section. Despite suffering from cancer for many years he came back so many times after fighting his illness and returned to rehearsals, concerts and Sängerbund functions. He participated with the Kammerchor when called on and really enjoyed his knowledge of the German repertoire. We will miss him as a singer, and also his positive outlook on life and good humor. Obituary in The Washington Post Dec. 25, 2009: Alan E. Luehrmann died on Monday, December 21, 2009. Beloved husband of Phyllis Dobin; devoted father of Naomi Luehrmann (Greg) Madsen and Owen Luehrmann; dear brother of Carol Painter and David (Joan) Luehrman; loving grandfather of Olivia and Max. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 27, 2009, 1:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 3100 Military Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20015. Interment following at National Memorial Park, Falls Church, VA. After the interment, the family will receive relatives and friends at the home of Kenny and Marsha Dobin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Temple Sinai Cantor''s Discretionary Fund. Arrangements entrusted to TORCHINSKY HEBREW FUNERAL HOME. RICHARD GILLIAM Passed away on August 23, 2009 at Age 79, as a result of injuries suffered from a fall in July. He is survived by his wife Gloria, his daughter Carolyn and her husband Jim, his son Richard W., a sister Betty and her husband Raymond and many grandchildren and great grandchildren who adored him. He was a Steamfitter and a member of Local 602 for over 55 years. He volunteered at the New Carrollton Public Library and also volunteered over 10,000 hours at Doctors Community Hospital. He was an avid gardener and loved music, baseball and beer. He was a lifetime member of the Washington Sängerbund; after his years as an active singer he continued to volunteer his help at Oktoberfests. Members of the Washington Sängerbund visited at Gasch's Funeral Home in Bladensburg, MD on Wednesday, August 26 and sang Schubert’s “Sanctus” and “Wanderers Nachtlied” in memory of Richard. KARIN HALUSA Our long time member Karin Halusa passed away on Friday, May 22, 2009, after a long illness. Karin had been a singing member of the Washington Sängerbund for many years, and recently served on the board of directors. She had been looking forward to be part of the Sängerfest 2009 in Washington, DC but her illness gradually worsened and it became apparent that she might not be able to be there. She died on the opening day of the Saengerfest. Her husband Gerd is also a member of the Sängerbund. She was buried on Tuesday, May 26 at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Washington, DC. Members of the Washington Sängerbund attended the burial at Prospect Hill and sang Schubert’s “Heilig, heilig, heilig”, “Wanderer’s Nachtlied”, a canon “Abendstille überall” and “Hab’ of im Kreise der Lieben” in memory of Karin. ANNE FRANCES MOELLER Anne Moeller suddenly passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the age of 68 after suffering a severe heart attack. She was a longtime member and active singer of the Washington Sängerbund, together with her husband Karl Moeller. Our condolences go out to Karl and his family. Anne also was the sister-in-law of Sängerbund members Werner and Margaret Moeller. Sängerbund members attended a memorial service on Monday, April 27 at Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church in Olney, MD and sang Schubert's “Heilig, heilig, heilig” and “Wanderer’s Nachtlied”, and also Silcher's “So nimm denn meine Hände”. 2008 LYSLE SEXTON Lysle Sexton passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2008. He was an honorary member of the Washington Sängerbund and a long-time member of the Concord Club. Over the years his Lysle Sexton Orchestra played at countless concerts, dances, Oktoberfests and Sängerfests of the German community and always brought fun and merriment to these functions. All of us will miss Lysle very much. The Sängerbund members sang at his funeral on Nov. 30 at DeVol Funeral Home in Gaithersburg. He was buried on Monday, Dec. 1 with military honors at Park Lawn Memorial Park. JOE HAMMONDS Our long-time singing member Joe Hammonds passed away on September 16, 2008. The following obituary appeard in the Washington Post: JOE W. HAMMONDS (Age 66) Of Clearville, PA, previously of Annandale, VA died Tuesday, September 16, 2008. He was born a son of the late Colonel and Lily Hammonds. His wife, Barbara survives; along with a brother, Don Hammonds, a niece, two nephews and two sisters-in-law, Jeanne Lee Nienhuis of Atlantic Beach, FL and Nancy B. McCarthy, of Vienna, VA. He was a 1964 graduate of the Virginia Tech with the corps of cadets, then entering the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant stationed in Ansbach, Germany, honorably discharged in 1966. Joe then worked as a CPA with Price Waterhouse in Alexandria, was a partner with a small CPA firm, and later trained with the IRS, serving as an agent, and then worked at the Federal Dept. of Labor, managing the Federal Black Lung Benefits accounting program until retiring. Joe was a member and past president of the German American Society of Bedford County, who enjoyed singing with the Washington Saengerbund, traveling throughout Germany and the UK, and was a talented woodworker, guitar and banjo player. Joe and his wife Barbara joined the Washington Sängerbund because of their wonderful memories during Joe's army time in Germany. They both sang with the Sängerbund for many years until they decided to move to Pennsylvania upon their retirement. IRMEL FUCHS On Friday, February 1, 2008 at Holy Cross Hospital. Irmel had been a long-time singing member of the Washington Sängerbund where she met, and married, her husband Peter Fuchs who also became an active singer of the chorus. Peter passed away in 2007. 2007 PETER FUCHS On July 7, 2007 at his home in Wheaton, MD. Peter came to Washington from Germany in 1973. He married Irmel Ellerman, an active singer with the Washington Sängerbund, and Peter who had been an active choral singer in Germany, immediately joined the chorus. He loved to play Skat and also continued his passion of training and competing for the annual "Deutsches Sportabzeichen", a German award for athletic achievements. 2006 FRANK HUTCHES PIERCE III On December 24, 2006, at his home in Silver Spring, MD. Frank had been operations manager in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations before his retirement. As a student at Salisbury University, Frank played a saxophone and fronted a band, and was also a DJ on the local radio station, talents that would later foretell his long association with the Washington Sängerbund. An accomplished photographer and writer, Frank published works about genealogy and history on the Eastern Shore and "A Boy's Eye View of World War II," and is the author of the indispensable "History of the Washington Sängerbund". It was his idea in 2005 to suggest the Washington Sängerbund story to cartoonist Patrick Reynolds, who made it the subject of his nationally syndicated "Flashbacks" cartoon published on July 17, 2005, the original of which is on display in the Concord clubrooms. Up to the time of his passing, Frank had been writing a weekly column on America for Franz Kadell's newspaper Volksstimme, in Magdeburg, Germany. (Franz Kadell sang with the WSB in the early 1980s.) He was cremated and set to rest in the family plot in Salisbury, Maryland. Frank is survived by his wife of 54 years. Nancy Seville Pierce of Silver Spring; two children, Frank Hutches Pierce IV of Silver Spring and Marie Rundquist of Gaithersburg; and one grandson. Those of us who were fortunate to know Frank even briefly will always have fond memories of his warmth and good humor, and his passionate commitment to the Sängerbund. He will be greatly missed by all. ALFRED J. LORENZ (Age 83) On Saturday, November 4, 2006, at his residence. Beloved husband of the late Johanna Lorenz; beloved brother of Marianne Walther; loving father of Helmut (Christine), Angelika, Guenter (Linda) and James; beloved grandfather of William and Amanda Lorenz. Friends may call on Friday, at the Lutheran Church of St. Andrew at the Cardinal McCarrick Center Archdiocese of Washington at 12247 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD on Friday, November 10 from 9 a.m. until time of funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Washington Sängerbund. Wilhelm Wenzel On September 3, 2006, of Falls Church, VA. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Else Wenzel and daughter, Waltraud Rogall. He is survived by his wife, Inge Sander Wenzel; one son, Bernhard H.A. Wenzel; one step-daughter, Ilona S. Savage; two grandchildren, Denise K. Rogall-Lauman (Joseph C. Lauman) and Kirk S. Rogall (Melissa M. Rogall); and three great-grandchildren, Curtis Lauman, Kendall Rogall, and Macie Rogall. A memorial service will be held Tuesday October 3, 2006, at 12:30 p.m. at NATIONAL FUNERAL HOME, 7482 Lee Hwy., Falls Church, VA 22042. Private interment at National Memorial Park Memorial Contributions may be made to Capital Hospice, Attn: Development Office, 6565 Arlington Blvd, Suite 501Falls Church, VA 22042. Published in The Washington Post on 10/1/2006. WALKER, DeMELT EUGENE, COL. USAF (Ret.) On Sunday, July 30, 2006 at his home in Alexandria, VA. Husband of Marianne S. Walker of Alexandria, VA; father of Louisa Woodward of Los Angeles, CA, Mark G. Walker of La Plata, MD and Jill M. Reinhart of Millersville, MD. Also survived by 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 1, 2006 at 9 a.m. at Fort Myer Chapel. Interment in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Capital Hospice, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Suite 501, Falls Church, VA 22042. Arrangements by DEMAINE FUNERAL HOME, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA. Published in The Washington Post on 8/6/2006. 2005 ED SMITH On Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 5:45pm surrounded by family and close friends. Ed had been a long time singing member of the Washington Sängerbund and acted as librarian in charge of all printed music for many years. Viewings were at Everly Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W. Braddock Road in Alexandria on Sunday, November 13, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. The Washington Saengerbund sang at 7:30 pm on Sunday, November 13, at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home. The Funeral was held at Del Ray Methodist Church at 100 E. Windsor Ave. in Alexandria at 1 pm on Monday, November 14, with a graveside service immediately following at Ivy Hill Cemetery, in Alexandria. The obituary below ran in the Washington Post on 11/13/2005: EDWARD "Ed" BUREL SHMITH (Age 59) After a sudden illness with complications, on Thursday, November 10, 2005. He was a long time resident of Alexandria, VA. He is survived by two daughters Reba Winstead (George) and Stephanie Smith; two grandchildren; a large extended family and many caring friends. Family will receive friends on Sunday, November 13, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the EVERLY WHEATLEY FUNERAL HOLME. A funeral service will be held Monday, November 14, 1 p.m., at Del Ray United Methodist Church, 100 East Windsor Ave, Alexandria, VA. Interment will follow at Ivy Hill Cemetery. Contributions may be made in his name to the Del Ray United Methodist Church. JOHANNA LORENZ on Saturday, July 30, 2005. Survivors include her husband, Alfred, and their children Angelika, Helmut, Guenter, and James, and their families and the grandchildren. We all will miss our longtime singer with the Washington Sängerbund. At the funeral service on Saturday, August 6, 2005, 9:30am at St. Anne's Catholic Church at Wisconsin and Nebraska Avenues, NW the Washington Sängerbund sang music from Schubert's Deutsche Messe. Following the service was burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. Following the burial, friends and guests gathered in Johanna's memory at the Concord Clubhouse, above the Old Europe Restaurant, 2434 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington. According to Christine Hambach, Angelika likes the idea of honoring her "Mutti" with coffee and cake. Angelika said, "Mom would say - Kaffee und Kuchen, vonderful !" Members of the Washington Sängerbund and the Concord Club brought food. 2004 NANCY TODD BRES MULENEX May 25, 1951 — July 15, 2004 This notice appeared in The Washington Post on 7/18/2004: Nancy Todd Mulenex (nee Bres), 53 On Thursday, July 15, 2004, of Alexandria, VA. Daughter of the late COL Edward S. Bres, Jr., USA (Ret.) and Frances Griffin Bres; sister of Edward S. Bres, III and his wife Susan of Arlington, VA, John P. Bres and his wife Lori of San Antonio, TX and Robert A. Bres of San Antonio, TX; niece of Elizabeth Bres Robbins and her husband Dr. Gwin Robbins of Tennessee and Nancy DuBois and her husband Fran DuBois of California. She also leaves her nephew, Daniel; her niece, Emily and six cousins. Family will be receiving friends at the Murphy Funeral Home of Arlington, 4510 Wilson Blvd., on Saturday, July 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. Memorial service will be held at the All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church, 2300 Cathedral Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 on Sunday, July 25 at 3 p.m. A private interment will be held at Rock Creek Cemetery. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr. Richard A. Binder for the compassionate care that he has given Nancy over the past 19 years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Nancy's name to All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church or Capital Hospice, P.O. Box 1576, Merrifield, VA 22116.

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