Jasper DeutscherVerein and Patti Goepfrich co-recipients of the 2024 Hooser German-American of the Year Award
Each fall, the Indiana German Heritage Society recognizes an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to the cultural and historical heritage of the Hoosier German-American community. This individual and/or organization must have been active in the German-American Community of their area for a minimum of 10 years.
The co-recipients of the 2024 Hoosier German-American of the Year have been announced, and the recipients are the Jasper DeutscherVerein (organization) and Patti Goepfrich (individual).
The Jasper DeutscherVerein is being recognized for its contributions, dedication, and leadership in cultivating, promoting, and preserving Hooser German-American heritage in Jasper and its surrounding area and in celebrating its upcoming 45th anniversary. Established in January 1980, the Jasper DeutscherVerein continues to be committed to the Jasper-Pfaffenweiler Sister Cities program, to mentoring and supporting of local German high school programs and the German student exchange program, and to promoting and partnering with the highly successful annual Jasper Strassenfest.
Ms. Goepfrich is being recognized for her lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting German heritage in Dubois County. She has been a key figure in collecting and preserving German-American artifacts and has served as editor of the Jasper DeutscherVerein newsletter for over 20 years.
Additionally, Goepfrich organized a county-wide high school essay contest, which began in 2003 and received the 2011 German-American Award from the Jasper DeutscherVerein, Sister Cities of Jasper, and the Jasper Partnership Commission.
Recognizing and celebrating the German cultural roots in Jasper is important to Goepfrich.
“Nothing gets preserved unless someone does it!!! I am very grateful for the opportunity to help preserve our German heritage here in Jasper,” Ms. Goepfrich said.
Her great-great-grandfather, John George Eckerle, came to this area in 1847 from Pfaffenweiler, Germany.
“Preserving this heritage is important so that others, both near and far, have an opportunity to learn about the area and the people who have worked so hard and diligently to make it what it is today,” she said. “I believe learning from the past is important.”
Her time with the group has left its impact over the years.
“I have been a member of the Jasper DeutscherVerein for 25 years and have worked alongside many of the members,” she said. “Many are family members, and many have become like family and are life-long friends. We have had a common goal: work hard to preserve and maintain our German heritage and have fun along the way.”
Mr. Landen Weidenbenner, president of the Jasper DeutscherVerein, and Ms. Goepfrich will be presented with plaques at the opening ceremony of the 16th Annual GermanFest on Saturday, October 5th in Indianapolis at the Athenaeum.
The event lasts from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and features food, live music, a dachshund race, and more.
Advance general admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youths (ages 4-12). Day-of prices increase to $25 for adults and $15 for youths. Kids ages 3 and under are free but require a ticket. Tickets can be purchased at www.athenaeumindy.org/events/germanfest.
