Tolstoy Family Biographies

The Schatz Family

Robert William Schatz better known by his friends as Bob Schatz was born July 8, 1893 in Scotland, S. D. to Jacob and Katherine (Bertsch) Schatz. He was married to Beatha Auch on March 16, 1916. Beatha was born Nov. 17, 1892 in Lesterville, S. D. to Christian and Christina (Weber) Auch. Shortly after their marriage they moved to the Tolstoy vicinity and farmed in South Dakota until the fall of 1953. They moved to Albany, Ore. where he was employed as a caretaker at the Turn Oaks cemetery until his death on Dec. 1, 1958. Mrs. Schatz returned to Gettysburg in 1960 and lived there until her death on June 5, 1964.

Two daughters and two sons died in infancy and Lester Schatz lost his life in June 1967 (five days before discharge from 20 years in the service) over the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska.

Lester and Barbra had three children, Beth, Rebecca, and Lisa (deceased).

Clarence and Eda Mae live in Faulkton, S. D. They have three children Leonard, Donna, and Warren. Norman and Esther live on a farm near Roscoe, S. D. and they have two children, Pam and Monte. Eldon and Donna Lou live in Wichita, Kan. and their children are Donel, Joan, Kenyon, Lenetta, Noel, Marla, and Melva. Dean and Sandra live in Burlington, Wash. Their children are Debra, Ernie, and Sandra. The Schatzs' also have 13 great grandchildren. Back to Index

Edward F. Schuler was born in Wisconsin in 1864 and at the age of 19, in 1883 came to Seneca where he homesteaded. Bill Bell, Oscar and Fred Brandt and Bridget O'Flynn Wise were also in the same area in their homestead.

Living conditions were very bad. They walked to and from Athol for their supplies and what entertainment they had consisted mainly of dancing with one another!

Grace Crippen of Letcher went to Seneca about 1881 to teach school. Shortly afterwards she became Ed Schuler's bride.

Living conditions did not change for the better, and in 1895 they were still living in the sod house where their first child, Lillian was born. In less than two years, their second child, a son, Morton was born.

In the meantime a small frame house was being built in the east part of Tolstoy. The four Schulers, Edward. Grace, Lillian, and Morton lived there until the big farm house north of Tolstoy was being constructed. They moved onto the property before the house was completed and lived in the granary until the large home was completed.

The other children of Ed and Grace were horn on the farm. Edward, Ruby, Sybil, Howard and Orville. The Schulers stayed on the farm north of town for 22 years and gradually the children started leaving home. Morton and Edward were called into the army and returned to the farm for an undetermined length of time after World War I. Lillian who taught school in the area married Fred McKray. They left the farm and moved into Aberdeen and on to various places. Fred passed away in 1958 but Lillian, age 86, lives in Long Beach, Calif.

When the Schuler children, Ruby, Howard, Sybil and Orville were of the age to start high school, Ed and Grace bought a home in Aberdeen. Ed stayed on the farm and Grace was forced to move into town to be with the children.

Morton married Irene Lewis of Ipswich and they stayed on the farm for several years before moving into Aberdeen and then on to Tacoma, Wash. Morton passed away in February of 1981.

Edward (Doe) returned from city work in Ohio and moved back to Tolstoy. He married Bertha Dufloth of Tolstoy and stayed there until about 1940 when they moved to Hubbard, Iowa. Bertha stayed in Hubbard after Edward passed away in 1964.

Ruby stayed in Aberdeen, married Charles Wiseman. Ruby passed away in 1944 and rests besides her husband and mother and dad Schuler in Riverside cemetery in Aberdeen.

Sybil continued her schooling at Northern State Teachers College until she married Malachi Magee of lowa. He, too, worked with the telephone company.

Sybil now lives in Irving, Tex. where her husband is buried.

Howard worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and Orville worked in Aberdeen, too, for Grangers Cleaners until they were both called to serve in the U. S. Army in World War II. Howard returned to his work with the telephone company, until he retired and resides in Aberdeen with his wife, the former Josephine Boydine of Aberdeen.

Orville married Harriet Halverson, formerly of Veblen and he retired in May, 1981 as salesman for Loel Lust Chevrolet in Aberdeen.

Edward and Grace sold the farm and moved into Aberdeen in 1940. Grace passed away in 1951 and Edward followed in 1958 after a long illness which left him bedridden.

The farm in Tolstoy and the house in Aberdeen are still in good condition, but none of the Schulers own or occupy either. Back to Index

George was born in Cologne, Germany on Sept. 24, 1863. He was the son of Theodore and Gertrude Schmidt (Kalmus); 4 boys and 4 girls were born to this union. (One girl, Lizzie, died and was buried at sea.) George was 5 years old when his parents came to the United States. They were on the ship 30 days before arriving in 1868. They located in Peru, Ill. where his father was a coal miner. The family lived there for 10 years after which they moved to Hanover, Kan. where they lived for 5 years.

In 1884 they came to South Dakota with an emigrant car as far as Harrold, S. D. When they arrived at Harrold they heard about the Homestead Act. George, his father, and his brother Bill went out to look at the land. George's father squated on 1 quarter, and the other was a tree claim on which George homesteaded. George's brother, Bill squatted on another quarter. They homesteaded 4 miles east of Hoven the James Lunders farm.

Their home was built with sod and lumber, a 40 x 80 structure partly house and barn. It took 3 to 4 days to make the round trip to Ipswich for lumber for the house. They heated their house with a straw burner which required constant attention. Long winter evenings were spent twisting hay to burn, and cow chips were "carefully" picked to burn. Their livestock consisted of 4 mules and I cow.

In the early days people traveled 8 miles northwest to Theodore for their mail. Later on they traveled to Pembroke, 8 miles southwest, which was a post office and mail route from Forest City by stage coach.

One of George's vivid memories was the blizzard of 1888. The morning of that day dawned bright and balmy until about 10:00 o'clock, when dark threatening clouds came out of the northwest. The storm struck very suddenly and with such intensity that no one was prepared for it. At first it wasn't alarming, but when it didn't abate and the time came for chores, it gave them some concern.

George went to do chores for John Ryman, a neighbor who lived about 1 1/2 miles from him. He had a small shed with straw threshed on it. When George arrived he found only the castles heads sticking out of the snow; so George was unable to do anything but go home until the storm subsided.

Indians were another threat to the pioneers. On Nov. 20, 1891 an Indian scare caused the people of the Hoven area to leave their homes and gather at the Theodore Schmidt home for refuge. The report was that Indians were coming and that Forest City and Gettysburg were already destroyed. The word was passed around that the people should all assemble at the Schmidt home. The cattle and horses were turned loose, the women and children were loaded into wagons and hurried to the Schmidts. Mother said one lady was baking bread at the time, so she packed up her dough and took it with her and baked it at the Schmidt home.

Henry Kleinemas brought along a barrel of cured meat. The men were given guns. George and another man stood guard about 2 miles west of the home. After the Indian scare was all over the people went back to their homes feeling safe and secure again.

George lived with his parents until his father died on April 21, 1885 at the age of 52. On Nov. 6, 1895, George married Anna Marie Schaefer. To this union 9 children were born: Ben, John, George, Frank (deceased), Margaret, Mary Hackl, Ceil Clemens (deceased), Hilda Lunders, Rose Arbach, and 1 adopted son Leo Krzyzopolski (deceased).

George, after his father's death, bought a house and moved it onto the land he bought and established, which is now known as the George Schmidt farm. It is located about 4 miles northwest of Tolstoy, and is presently owned by his son George.

In his many busy years of farming, George still found time to be a support to the community. George helped to organize a Farmer's Shipping Association at Tolstoy, and also held an office in ASC. He was a director in the Old Springs Mutual Telephone Co. in which the switch operators served the community for many years. He was instrumental in helping to organize a Farmer's Cream Association in Tolstoy where he was a director for 15 years. He was also a director in the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Hoven. George helped to organize the Bank of Hoven and served as a director there for many years.

In 1936 George and Anna Marie retired and moved into the Peter A. Rausch home in Hoven. On Nov. 6, 1945, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Anna Marie passed at the age of 79; and George enjoyed good health until the age of 97 when he was called to his eternal reward. Back to Index

Philip and Katherine Schneider came to America in the early 1870's as a newly wed couple settling at Menno, S. D. There they built a sod house in a settlement called Wolf Creek. The family made several moves including Minnesota, Webster, Roscoe, Tolstoy, S. D. These moves were made over a period of 35 years.

At Tolstoy, the Schneiders built one of the first homes in Tolstoy. To this family eleven children were born; Katherina, Peter, John, Dora, Jacob, Fred, Robert, George, Mary, Carolina, and Philip.

Many hardships were endured during these early years such as drought, hail, and grasshoppers.

Two of their sons opened business in Tolstoy the year the town started in 1907; Consisting of a butcher shop, slaughter house, and ice house. The Schneider brothers had the distinction of making and selling the first ice cream in Tolstoy. Their daughter Carrie and G. G. Dufloth were the first couple married in Tolstoy at their parents home in November of 1909. Mrs. Carrie (Schneider) Dufloth, the only living member of this Schneider family, is now living in Rapid City, S. D. Back to Index

Mathias or "Matt" was born at Lansing, Mich. Sept. 16, 1882. He moved with his parents Simon Simon and Emma to Carr township in Potter County in the Spring of 1885 attracted by the free land.

Matt married Grace Clark of Gettysburg, July 18, 1906. They moved to their own farm in Carr township, seven miles north of Lebanon. Their farm had been homesteaded; but the man wanted to sell, so Matt's father bought it for Matt.

They traveled across country to Bowdle by team and buggy to have their wedding pictures taken.

Matt broke the land with a walking breaking plow, and Grace helped. They carried a pick and shovel, dug and hauled many a rock. Grace taught the Simon Simon school that first year she was married, driving a team of horses 3 or 4 miles. School terms were usually 3 or 4 months during the winter. Later, she taught East Carr school only 1/2 mile from their home.

Matt played the fiddle for country dances. They also got together with neighbors in the evenings visiting and playing cards. They traveled by buggies, wagons or bob sleds. Grace remembered one time when they were going home late at night, the snow deep, and the team went right over a hay stack. The team and sled came down all right; but the back end of the rack was still tilted up on the stack. They just pulled the hay rack back on the running gears, gathered the family and continued home.

Matt is perhaps best remembered for his outstanding stallions. He traveled registered stallions around the area for many years.

They had a large family. Their names are Lavacia, Edward, Lucile, Sylvia, Sylvester, twin daughters Althea (died at 1 year old) and one born dead, Gerald, Edith, Victorine, Royce, and Joyce. Those deceased are Lavacia, Edward, Lucile, the twins, and Joyce. Only Sylvester and Royce live in Potter County.

Edith is married to Alfred Baus, and they live at Ipswich.

Royce now farms his father's place. He resides in Lebanon. He married Betty Grau of Faulkton. He has three sons, Ronald, Rodney, and Randall.

Sylvester married June Norris of Lebanon in 1940. They lived on various farms south of Lebanon until 1956 when they moved to their farm purchased from Alex Koch. This was in Fairview township. In 1961, they moved 1 1/2 miles north to the former J. F. Johnson farm in the Tolstoy area which they had purchased. They still reside there.

Sylvester has 6 children; Dencel or "Denny" married Janice Griese, has two children: Nadine and Parnell, he runs his own business in Mayville, N. D.

Rodger, who farms with his father lives on the former Oscar Beach farm. He married Carol Griese. They have seven children: Jeffery, Michelle, Stuart, Brian, Jason, Kent, and Karin.

Gale obtained his degree at S.D.S.U., served 2 years in the Navy. He married Shirley Schmitt of Dubuque, Iowa. They have two daughters: Ginger and Gwen.

Gale is manager for Larsen Door and Screen, residing at St. Cloud, Minn.

Vesta, is married to Warren Erdahl. She resides at Austin, Minn., and is the mother of two boys, Dathan and Kendall.

LeAnn obtained her degree in Vo Ag at S.D.S.U. She teaches at Medina, N. D. She has traveled the U. S. as one of nine national Jr. directors for the Am. Hereford Association.

Craig who is in his 3rd year at the University of N. D. at Grand Forks is studying Mechanical Engineering and pre-law. Back to Index

John Peter Stephan was born at Warsaw, N. Y., on Oct. 22, 1857. Three years later he moved with his parents to Sheboygan County, Wisc. Here he grew to manhood and married Caroline Schleunes. The couple settled on a farm near Kiel Wisc. where all their seven children were born; Meta, Amanda, Frank, Hilda, Walter, Oscar and Clarence.

In 1904 they sold this farm and loaded an emigrant car billed to Bowdle, S. D. On Nov. 10th, they arrived by train in Bowdle. Upon their arrival in Bowdle, the family was met by Ed F. Schuler, who had settled here some years earlier. The Stephans were taken to the Schuler farm home and made welcome to stay there until a place was found to settle down. After a few days the Stephans decided to purchase the Jacob Miller farm which is the present Stephan farm located six miles north of Tolstoy.

On Nov. 28th, 1907, only three years after settling on this farm, John Stephan became ill and passed away on Thanksgiving Day leaving his wife with seven young children on this newly acquired farm home subject to so many of the hardships of pioneer life. His widow, Caroline, kept the family together and operated this farm with the help of her children for many years. Caroline kept the children in school as much as possible. Meta, the eldest, helped at home when she was needed. Amanda and Hilda attended high school in Bowdle and then taught school. Both of them have now passed away: Amanda (Mrs. John Lambert) in 1915, and Hilda (Mrs. Jos. Bitterman) in 1957. Oscar also taught school. Meta worked in various positions in Aberdeen and Bowdle. Frank accepted the post mastership in Tolstoy in 1927; then continued in business in Tolstoy. He married and lived in Aberdeen until the time of his death in 1962. Clarence, the youngest of the sons, purchased a farm near Aberdeen on which he had started many improvements; however, this was cut short by a highway accident which took his life in March 1958. His widow and two daughters live in Aberdeen. Meta and Walter have now passed away; Meta in 1967 and Walter in 1970. Oscar, the last of the children lives in Tolstoy and occasionally helps Kenneth, Walter's son, who now operates the Stephan farm. Kenneth is married and has two daughters and three sons to carry on the Stephan name. Back to Index

Henry Stoecker was born March 21, 1900 to Mr. and Mrs. Jake Stoecker at Leola, S. D. He came from a family of 11, five brothers and five sisters. Henry married Emma Retzer in 1921 at Leola. After their marriage they lived and farmed southwest of Hosmer for several years. Four children were born in that vicinity. They are

Lorina, (Mrs. Milbert Pfeifle) Leola.

Luvina (Mrs. Richard VanBeek), Aberdeen.

Loven (married Shirley Moser), Onaka.

Leona (Mrs. Derald Kern) Faulkton.

In 1932 the Stoecker family moved and farmed northeast of Java until February 1945 they moved to Tolstoy and purchased the former Christ Roesch farm. They lived there until 1960 when they turned the farm over to their son. They bought a house in Hosmer and lived there until 1962 when they sold the house in Hosmer and moved to Aberdeen, where they are presently residing. Back to Index

Christ and his wife Rosina were born in Glucksthal, South Russia, in 1858 and 1865 respectively. As a young man Christ served as a First Lieutenant in the Russian Army. He was an energetic hard working young man and was able to save a good sum of money while in the army.

In about 1884 Christ married Rosina Dufloth, eldest daughter of John and Louisa Dufloth. One son, Christ Jr. was born to them while living in Russia.

When Christ Jr. was about four years of age, war was again threatening. The Czar was drafting young men and imposing strict rules regarding freedom of speech and freedom of religion. It was then Christ decided to pack up his wife and young son along with his wife's family the John Dufloth's. They left Russia taking only what they could carry.

It was a long and tedious journey, first by train into Germany, then aboard ship. They arrived in New York City on February 7, 1889. They came west as far as Yankton and there they were told to continue westward.

It was the 20th of March 1889 when they arrived here. Christ and Rosina chose to homestead the land one-half mile south of Tolstoy. Their kind neighbors the John Trefz family,,who lived one mile east of the Stotz homestead, invited them into their home to live with them until their sod house was built.

Soon after completing their first house, they began building a larger more sturdy house constructed out of hand made clay bricks and plastered with mud. The thick walls made this house cozy warm in winter and very cool in summer. They used slaked lime to paint the house a neat white color.

There were many lean hard years and it was only through pioneering ingenuity that they were able to survive the cold winters and sometimes meager food. When supplies were low, Christ would often travel on foot to Seneca, Bowdle, Ipswich, or Lebanon to get flour and kerosene for the lamps. He would buy sugar, 25 cents worth at a time and that would have to last them many many months. One day his plow, drawn by a team of Oxen, broke. Christ hoisted the broken piece on his shoulders and walked all the way to LeBeau to have it repaired. To help put food on the table, Christ would sometimes walk 10 or 15 miles to work for farmers during haying or harvest. He would take his own pitchfork and work from sunrise until dark for 75 cents. If the farmer fed him dinner he would then be paid 50 cents.

There were twelve children born to Christ and Rosina. They were Christ Jr., John, Jake, Edward, Charles, August, Mary, George, Rosina, Lizzie, Lena, Lydia.

Christ married Lydia Maier, John married Christina Dollinger, Jake married Elsie Foresburg, George married Meda Petersen. The others remained single. The surviving members of the family are Edward, Rosina, Lizzie, and Lena. Back to Index

Jacob P. Stotz was born in Russia in 1874. Christina Keszler was also born in Russia in 1877. Jacob Stotz with his brother and half sister came to America in about 1889 and settled at Hosmer. His parents did not come to America. Mother and a brother also stayed in Russia. Later he was shipped to Siberia where he died.

The Kesszler family came to America in about 1899 and lived on a farm east of Hosmer. Nine children were born to this union all of whom are now deceased.

Jacob P. Stotz and Christina Kesszler were married in 1900 at Hosmer. They moved on a homestead northeast of Tolstoy (now owned by Lloyd Hettich). To this union 10 children were born, Mary (Mrs. Fred Jutzy); Emma, deceased; Jake, Redfield, S. D.; Ed and George deceased; Lydia Blumenchein, Hutchinson, Minn.; Edwin deceased; Esther (Mrs. Laurence Schroder, Cleveland, N. D.); Hulda, deceased; Bertha, (Mrs. George Bieber).

The first home of the Stotz family was a sod house, which was later used as a playhouse for the children. Their second home was a 2 story, 4 bedroom, wood structure, built across the lake from the sod house. The new home was equipped with running water, but only if the children ran to the well and got it. Times were hard but somehow they were always able to feed their family. Jacob took wheat to the flour mill in Tolstoy to grind into flour. Everyone in the family had to do his share of the work.

Milking time in the summer was not always an enjoyable experience. Fifteen to twenty four cows were driven into a small fenced area, where we milked by hand. With flies biting and no such thing as fly spray, you were forced to move a number of times before you finished each cow. You always wore a hat, for another good reason. One summer harvest Esther and Bertha milked 24 cows by hand. Those were the good old days.

In the winter time if you had a car you jacked the car up and didn't use it again until the snow and mud were gone in the spring. One used the sled all winter, regardless of how cold it was, to travel into town, church, and visiting, or if someone was sick.

Relatives, neighbors, and friends were always welcome in the Stotz home. Homemade ice cream, candy, popcorn, or apples were served to visitors.

One couldn't buy bread at the store, so if the home made bread didn't turn out good it was blamed on a batch of poor flour or the yeast turned sour.

The Stotz children received their education at a little country school one mile east of their farm. (Located on the Harlen Hettich farm.) Jacob tried to teach his family how to read and write German, but the writing never soaked in.

In 1928 a son took over the farm and the parents bought the Pressler house in Tolstoy. Jacob and Christina both passed away in the 40's. Back to Index

John and Julia (Goetz) Stotz migrated from Glucksthal, Russia to America. The reason was that they did not have a chance to make a living for their family. The army was drafting men, too.

They came to America by boat in the year of 1899. They landed in New York and rode the train to Eureka. America was suppose to be a "Land of Milk and Honey".

They settled near Tolstoy, because relatives and friends had come and lived in this community. They lived with their uncle and aunt, the John Dufloths. John and Julia had $25.00 left when they got here. They used the money to buy a cow for milk and some other things. They lived in a sod house until they could homestead and had one quarter of land. They then built their own sod house. This was on the quarter south of where Donald Stotz lives today.

Sometimes they would ride to church in the hay rack and times would walk.

John worked for John Nold from sunrise to sunset. The going salary at that time was $1.00 a day.

To this union was born seven children. The two oldest children were born in Russia, John and Katie. John (deceased) married Hattie Wolff (deceased). They have one foster daughter, Alma, who is a missionary in Africa. John was the Standard Oil agent for many years.

Katie married Jake Wolff (deceased).

Christ (deceased) married Pauline Blumhardt. Christ was a farmer until he retired in 1962. His son Donald lives on the family farm.

Marlyn lives on the former Jake Dutt farm. Dean who is employed at Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Iowa.

Fred Stotz married Christina Rempfer. Fred was the manager of the elevator in Bowdle for many years before retiring. They are the parents of three children. They are:

Gordon who resides in Bowdle and Shirley lives in Webster.

La Vern lives in California.

August married Carolyn Perman. August is retired from farming and living in Bowdle. Their children are:

Geraldine who lives in Illinois.

Randall who lives on the family farm.

Edward married Tillie Delker. Edward is semi-retired from farming and is residing in Tolstoy. Their children are:

Verlyn who is a principal in the Huron School System.

Leland who lives on the family farm.

Otto married Marie Keszler. Otto is semi-retired and living on the farm near Tolstoy. Their children are:

Janice who lives at Rapid City.

LeRoy and Rodney who are farming in partnership.

Lyle who lives in Redfield.

Richard who lives in Winner.

Victor who lives in Onida. Back to Index

John C. Stotz was born May 5th, 1889, to Christ and Rosina Stotz. He was born on the family homestead southeast of Tolstoy.

Life for John and his brothers was a busy one. Helping with the farm chores and farming the land with their father. But there was also time for fun. As bicycles were very popular at that time, John liked to spend his free time traveling to even distant towns on his bicycle.

John and his father were one of the first ones in the area to purchase a threshing machine. For many years they threshed grain in the Tolstoy and surrounding areas.

On March 10, 1913, John married Christina Dollinger, who when she was 7 years old immigrated to America and settled a few miles north of Tolstoy, in Edmunds County.

They settled down to a busy farm life in his grandparent's, Dufloth's sod house. A couple years later they purchased a house in Onaka and moved it to their farm where it still stands as a landmark after 65 years.

The farm is located 1 mile east of Tolstoy.

To this union three children were born. Marvin put in his appearance on April 9, 1915. He grew up on the farm but always had a desire to be in electronics.

Later he graduated from National Electronics School. In 1937 Marvin went West to Idaho to visit his Uncle George and also seek employment. While there he met and married Letty Jean Carter on Aug. 27, 1938. In 1939 they moved back to Tolstoy to make their home.

To Marvin and Letty four children were born.

Eileen, born 1940 present home, Mora, Minn.

Dianne, born 1944 present home, Grizzly Flatts, Calif.

Stanley, born 1946 present home, Montgomery, Ala.

Kathleen, born 1951 present home, Grand Rapids, Minn.

On Sept. 4, 1916, John and Christina were blessed with the birth of a little daughter whom they named Mabel. Mabel was always her mother's helper and the family's joy.

Marvin and Mabel had many good times together during their childhood years. Although there was plenty of work on the farm, they found time for fun. One of the fun things they did was to go down to the railroad tracks, which ran close to their home, and when the train would go by they would wave to the engineer and the fireman. These two friendly fellows would be watching for the two eager youngsters and wave back.

Marvin, Mabel and later Delbert, attended the little country school just one-half mile north of their farm. When Marvin and Mabel were small, their Dad would hitch their horse to a buggy, put them in the buggy and they would ride to school. Then they would turn the horse around and he would trot back home.

In the winter a sled was used instead of a buggy.

On June 11, 1940, Mabel married Floyd Armstead, whom she met in Idaho. They have spent most of their married life in the state of Washington. They were blessed with three children:

Sharon who presently lives in Washington.

Lloyd who lives in Washington, D. C.

Lois who lives in Washington.

On Aug. 13, 1924. Delbert made his entrance into this world. He was always a very busy little boy. Everyone in the family was kept busy keeping him out of mischief.

When he was 4 years old, he was visiting his grandparents, Stotz's home. His grandfather was making a cement sidewalk. Delbert told his grandpa that he could jump across it. And promptly backed up his words with action!! As a result, Delbert may not have left his footprints in the sands of time, but he did leave his childish footprints in his grandpa's cement.

On Oct. 9, 1945. Delbert married his childhood playmate, Ruth Dufloth. Delbert and Ruth spent many happy years farming on his parent's farm where they made their home shortly after marriage. Five children came to grace their home.

Ronald and Douglas reside in Denver, Colo.

Donna, Roberta and Debra reside in Lincoln. Neb.

The John Stotz family has a close tie even though time has brought many miles between them. They still remain a close family unit. Back to Index