During this past year, interviews were conducted with some of our oldest parishioners, about their memories of parish life through the years. Below are short excerpts and links to the full written document for each interview.
Betty Elmendorf was part of the last class at St. Peter High school where she met her high school sweetheart. She excelled in hospitality, introducing some of our current tradions. She was instrumental in beginning the first fish fry. She talked about the people at the fish fries and parishioners who are like a community; like a family. When asked for details, she said the choir is beautiful and the church is beautifully decorated, especially at Christmas and Easter. Full Interview
Jan and Joe Haug are long-time parishioners. Jan can trace her roots back three generations on her mom's side at St. Peter. Three generations ago, an uncle was one of the first priests here at St. Peter, and her great-great-grandparents are buried in our cemetery. Jan and Joe taught at rival high schools, St. Dominic and Duchesne - turns out both communities have great people. (Since St. Peter High School became Duchesne, we're a little biased, but we know how much Joe and Jan have contributed over the years, in time, energy, and love.) Jan had planned to be a stay at home mom, but God had other plans for her. He also protected their family when lightning struck their house and burned it to the ground. In a separate story, they made friends by choosing to go to breakfast after Mass one morning and happening upon a group of parishioners. Jan and Joe have worked in Appalachia, a very poor county in Kentucky. They've helped with St. Vincent de Paul in numerous ways over the years. Joe said, ”There’s value in making contact with people, whether it’s delivering Christmas baskets or making contact with the people that live in Appalachia. You can see how appreciative people are.” They have made so many good friends through the Sodality, SVDP, and with the parents of the kids in school. Jan said, “They are swell people. They are so generous, loving, and kind. We are lucky that we landed here.” Full Interview
Nancy Bircher and her husband were assigned to three Catholic parishes in two years, back when the Archdiocese was strict about where you were allowed to worship. (So glad we have more freedom today.) Nancy and David petitioned the Archdioces to join a 4th parish, St. Peter. Eventually, Nancy gave tours of St. Peter. Want to read a little about the symbols prevelant everywhere at St. Peter? Read her interview. She taught at St. Peter grade school, held the title of Coordinator of Religious Education, and started the RCIA program. In her interview, Nancy thought, “How could the church be more beautiful but they made it more beautiful. It was all in praise and honor of God.” She described Saint Peter Church as, “It’s home, the beauty, love, history, and community.” Full Interview
Roger Gronefeld has deep roots at St. Peter. His mom went to St. Peter grade school and though his parents' ancestors were from the same town, they emigrated to different states at different times. Coincidence or God-incidence?
Like Betty, Roger was part of the last class at St. Peter High School. He jokes that he was more surprised that the school was open than that it would close, recalling ceiling plaster falling on students and a radiator mishap.
Roger's parents opened The Tavern in 1929, selling "near beer" during prohibition. Roger worked there and at the gas station next door after school - common at the time, when even priests sometimes drove the school bus. He also shared stories of the Depression, World War II, and even a quip about being "the only survivor of the Civil War."
Later, Roger helped plan the chapel installation and discussed the needs for a parish center. Did you know that once upon a time, RCIA met over in the hospital and there were times when someone had to lug a TV and VCR across the street?
Today, he sees many new parishioners and credits the parish's strong presence. “It looks and feels like a church.” As a Eucharistic Minister, he notices many teens and young adults engaged in their faith, supported by "very good young priests" and our OCIA(RCIA) program. “Kids who come here and go to RCIA are very dedicated.” He said the internet helps and also Deacon Larry. Roger stated, “It’s like a community, like a family. It’s been a pleasure to be here.” Full Interview
Sonia Willbrand is 100% Lebanese. Her dad emigrated from Syria (now Lebanon). One of her relatives is a canonized saint -St. Sharbel Makhluf, whose feast day is July 24th. Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Sonia met St. Charles native Tom Willbrand when he was in the Army stationed at Colorado Springs. After marrying him and he was discharged from the Army, they moved to St. Charles. Tom was one of the first deacons ordained in this Archdiocese. He baptized 500 babies and celebrated 200 weddings. Deacon Tom passed away in 2024. He and Sonia were married almost 68 years. Both Sonia’s and Deacon Tom’s favorite memories at Saint Peter were the weddings of their children and the baptisms of the family. They also enjoyed how the priests and people were so warm at Saint Peter. It was and is a community. Full Interview
Both Russ and Pam Roeber grew up in South Dakota. Pam even lived 35 miles from Mount Rushmore. During their last year of college, they met on a blind date in October and married in August the following year. They lived a few different places, before settling in St. Charles five years later. Both their daughters attended St. Peter School for K-8th, and received some of their sacraments here.
Pam and Russ love to volunteer and have done so all their lives. They go all in, whether that's volunteering with sports, ushering, caring for the linens in the church, or helping with picnics, fish fries, or rummage sales. Russ even volunteered despite not being catholic. He attended Mass with his family and pitched in his share, while not receiving the gift of the Eucharist. Eventually, God knocked on his heart enough times, Russ became catholic in 2004 by Bishop Naumann who later also confirmed their youngest grandson in Kansas City. Because they have no relatives nearby, friends have definitely become like family. Pam stated, “That’s one of the great blessings of getting involved, getting to know people, and doing things and really feeling that bond that you do worship in the same location with people with the same beliefs. It’s very powerful.” They’ve become great friends with the parents at the school and with church members. Pam described Saint Peter as a “church family. It holds a special place in our hearts.” Full Interview
Wappelhorst
Zeisler