On Saturday, April 25, the Landesverband held their annual meeting at the Society of Danube Swabians in Des Plaines, IL. The day began with lunch immediately prior to the start of the business meeting. A general session took place followed by breakout meetings for various groups. After these breakout meetings dinner was served and following that general session resumed including elections.
Members from our club, Marlene Fricker, Nichole Blank Deely, and Michael Fricker traveled together by plane. Werner Fricker III, came by way of Detroit with Karin Schulz and family.
News out of the meeting is that the German Hungarians (with help from Trenton) will host the 2032 Landestreffen.
When it came down to the time for elections a one of our members retired, a few were reelected and one took on anew position.
Nichole Blank Deely was nominated and elected by acclimation the Region Ost President. This is her first time in the role.
Michael Fricker declined to be nominated as Verbandspresse or Press Secretary of the national association. He has held this role since 2017. Fricker nominated in his place Rebecca Fischer of the United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee who was elected by acclimation.
“I was happy to serve the Verband and our people. Sometimes we need fresh faces and ideas. Rebecca will do a phenomenal job, as will all those elected this weekend!”
-Michael N. Fricker
Full Board List 2026-2028
- Ehrenpräsident – Leo Mayer†
- Landespräsident – Ray Martini
- Ehrensportleiter – Mike Talan
- Präsident der Stiftung – Ed Tullius
- 1. Vizepräsident – Awald Langenfeld
- 2. Vizepräsident – Rosalia Burmeister
- Generalsekretärin – Elisabeth M. Miehle
- Protokollsekretärin – Rose Hauer
- Schatzmeisterin – Sue Brandelik
- Landesfrauenleiterin – Irene Hutz
- Stellvertreter Frauenleiterin – Kathy Zieger
- Landesjugendleiterin – Kathleen Martini
- Stellvertreter der Jugendleiterin – Margot Maurer
- Landeskinderleiterin – Erika Ehrat
- Stellvertreter der Kinderleitung – Karin Schulz
- Landeskulturleiter – Aaron Engelhart
- Stellvertreter der Kulturleitung – Elizabeth Hauer
- Kulturreferentin – Julie Patton
- Verbandspresse – Rebecca Fischer
- Landessportleiter – Werner Fricker III
- Archivar – Joe Byron
- Webmaster – Renee Stein
- Region Ost Präsident – Nichole Blank Deely
- Region West Präsident – Elizabeth Burmeister
- Region Mittelwest Präsident – Monika Lorenz
- Region Nord Präsident – Lisa Rimpf
On Sunday, April 26 the Danube Swabian Foundation or Stiftung held its business meeting. For the United German Hungarians, Marlene Fricker & Bill Galgon serve as directors of the foundation. Elections also took place for the foundation, all the roles remained the same:
Ed Tullius – President
Monika Lorenz – Vice President
Elizabeth Burmeister – Secretary
Joseph Brandecker – Treasurer
The Danube Swabian Foundation fosters, supports and encourages the preservation of the customs, traditions, literature, culture and history of the Danube-Swaben people (Germanic people of Southeastern Europe). The foundation was founded in 1982 and is active from coast to coast in providing moral and financial support. Its long-range goal is to help maintain thriving Danube Swabian organizations in the U.S.
All in all, the weekend was a good meeting. Many discussions were had, chances to catch up with old friends and make new ones were a plenty. Our club is lucky to be in the company of many other organizations like our own across the country and the continent!
