I have a multitude of relatives in the Wykoff, Fountain, Spring Valley and Grand Meadow communities. Some of them are very musical. Some really appreciate their Norwegian and German heritage.

My cousin, Marge Schmidt Baier of Chatfield, responded recently to my article on the "hymn-singing" at South Troy Church in rural Zumbro Falls.

Growing up in the Fountain-Wykoff area, she was a descendant of Herman Raabe (1856-1940). Theodore was my mom's (Vivian) father. Herman's son, Frank, inspired his granddaughter Marge in her youth at Immanuel Church.

"I could see my Grandpa Frank Raabe's arm go up and down as he sat hidden behind the church organ and pumping it for the organist," Marge said. "Before I became a co-organist, the church had purchased an electric organ. The other lady was very talented and could also play for the German worship. One Sunday after the English service, I was told that the organist for the German worship was unable to attend church that day."

Marge told the pastor, "I couldn't do it because I couldn't speak German."

The pastor said, "When I stop speaking or pause, you play the next line of music."

"The playing of hymns was not easy," Marge told me. "I couldn't understand the words and sing them so I had to just remember the number of the verse they were singing."

Marge went on to a teaching career of more than 30 years. She married George Baier of Chatfield. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in recent years before his death.

Yes, Marge, I remember your grandpa Frank Raabe and a couple of his daughters, Anna and Clara. Anna married Harry Glady, and Clara married Harry's brother Martin. These folks always attended the Theodore Raabe birthday reunion in the 1940s.

As a small boy of 12, I remember going to St. John's Lutheran Church for the funeral of Erwin Raabe, killed during Battle of the Bulge in World War II, on March 9, 1945. And I remember all of us walking to the church cemetery, entering the corner gate. Erwin had been one of the six grandsons back in 1940 when his grandfather Herman died. Herman was buried in the Immanual Church cemetery.

Harley Flathers is a longtime Rochester-area broadcaster and historian. Got a church story or memory for Harley? Send it to life@postbulletin.com or to Harley at Post-Bulletin, P.O. Box 6118, Rochester, MN 55903. Next week: Pleasant Grove Church baptisms, also in the river near Fugles Mill.

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