The Lutheran Women's Study Guild

This organization is the outgrowth of the Cotta Guild which was organized on November 15, 1945. At this organizational meeting the following officers were elected: Hildegarde Koeppen, president; Augusta Wolters, vice-president; Louise Cole, secretary and Edna Haarstick, treasurer. At the time of the organization of the Cotta Guild, the group included eighteen young women.

The objectives of the Cotta Guild were: To provide study for spiritual growth; to extend Christian fellowship and promote Christian sociability; to cultivate missionary interests and to promote local church activities.

The meetings of this organization were held on the first Tuesday of each month from September through may, and in these meetings the following topics were discussed: The Building of the Tabernacle, Our Church Buildings, Art in the Service of God, The Church Year, The Liturgy, and Women of the Bible.

Various projects were carried out by the group among which were the sending of Christmas gifts to the inmates of Bethesda Home at Watertown, Wisconsin. The Cotta Guild was also instrumental in arousing interest in the matter of purchasing a complete set of alter and pulpit hangings, stoles, cassocks and surplices to be used in our church. This group has also assumed the obligations of an altar guild to care for these paraments and vestments.

A large group of women of Immanuel Lutheran Church having become interested in the work of the Cotta Guild, proposed that the Cotta Guild be expanded in such a way that they might also become members. After discussion in various groups, it was decided to have an organizational dinner on May 14, 1947. At this meeting a temporary constitution was adopted, and the name of the organization chosen was: The Lutheran Women's Study Guild. This organization is now composed of five chapters. The officers of the five chapters are: Cotta Guild: Alma Prey, president; Hildegarde Koeppen, vice-president; Alma Darge, secretary adn Hilda Kettler, treasurer; Ruth Chapter: Mrs. John Storm, president; Mrs. R. Peck, vice-president; Evelyn Seppmann, secretary; Mrs. Victor Monhardt, treasurer; Mrs. Harold Ahl, corresonding secretary and publicity chariman; Mrs. Wilbert Doring, social chairman; Mrs. Marvin Heuer, project chairman; Mrs. Frank Olson, recreational chairman, and Mrs. Frank Barth, educational chairman; Mary Chapter: Mrs. Harry Oehler, president; Mrs. Peter Menton, vice-president; Mrs. I.C. Fuller, secretary; Mrs. A.C. Emmel, treasurer; Mrs. E.A. Larson, corresponding secretary and publicity chairman; Mrs. E.A. Anderson, hospitality and membership chairman; Mrs. A.F. Kietzer, social chairman; and Mrs. A Bergeron, recreational chairman; Rachel Chapter: Mrs. Waldemar Klammer, president; Mrs. Stanley Harmon, vice-president; Mrs. Clifford Hermel, secretary; Mrs. Harold Schlesselman, treasurer; Mrs. L. Gordon Samuelson, publicity chairman and corresponding secretary; Mrs. Ernest Silber, educational chairman; Mrs. Arnold Spiering, hospitality chairman; Mrs. Norman Nitzkowski, membership chairman; Mrs. Herman Prey, social chairman; Mrs. Louis Hauch, recreational chairman and Mrs. Alfred Schoettler, project chairman; Naomi Chapter: Mrs. Delford Precht, president; Mrs. Arthur Hanel, vice-president; Mrs. John Larson, secretary; and Mrs. Delbert Lahann, treasurer.

The Board of Directors which represents this group is composed of the following: Alma Prey, president; Mrs. Delford Precht, vice-president; Mrs. Ervin Doring, recording secretary; Hildegarde Koeppen, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Elmer Anderson, treasurer; Mrs. John Storm, educational chairman; Mrs. Waldemar Klammer, recreational chairman; Mrs. Harry Oehler, hospitality and publicity chairman; Mrs. R.F. Neubert, membership and social chairman, and Mrs. Harold Ahl, project chairman.