History comes to life in Loose Creek cemetery

Members and friends of Immaculate Conception parish in Loose Creek recently took part in “Voices of the Past,” a guided Cemetery Tour through the old parish cemetery, which dates back to the mid-1800s.

More than 125 people attended the Oct. 1 event, hosted by the Immaculate Conception parish’s 175th anniversary book committee and the Willing Workers.

Costumed impersonators stood near the tombstone of the person they portrayed and gave a short history of the person. All of the “actors” are related to people whose earthly remains are at rest in the cemetery. Most portrayed a distant relative.

Among the people taking the tour were parishioners Hubert and Pauline Bescheinen, ages 95 and 96, who have been married for 70 years.

“They walked to all the tombstones highlighted, including one down a good size hill,” parishioner Joan Backes noted. “They recalled much of the history shared in the stories.

Lenny and Karen Haslag portrayed Heinrich and Louise Haslag, their great-great grandparents.

Patrick Muenks portraying his great-great grandfather Gerhard Münks.

James Kliethermes portrayed Father John Guender, a former pastor.

Caroline Pearon portrayed her great-great grandmother Anna Elizabeth Patten.

Glenn Robertson portrayed his great-great grandfather Charles Lock.

John Muenks portrayed Theodore Heinen, who is thought to have been the wealthiest man in Loose Creek at one time.

Keith Porting portrayed his great-great grandfather, Peter Porting.

J.P. Boessen portrayed St. Patrick, representing the Irish railroad workers who came to Loose Creek in the 1850s and died in a cholera epidemic.

“All did a fine job with the presentations,” said Mrs. Backes. “We had a great turnout of people, and all said they enjoyed it very much.”