Peace movement focus of Lohrentz-Lohrenz reunion
(Editor's note: This article was submitted by Dr. Lucy McAllister of Lawrence.)
A Lohrentz-Lohrenz family reunion was held July 18 through 20 at Bethel College in North Newton. The family reunion focused on exploring its historical origins and current attitudes related to non-resistance and peace movements.
Attending the event were 70 plus descendants of Petter Lohrentz (1781-1856) and Maria Dyck Lohrentz (1785-1858), both were born in West Prussia (now Poland) and died in Grossweide, Molotschna colony, South Russia. These were Mennonites, descendants of Anabaptists, a radical wing of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, who had been persecuted and led to the lowlands of the north.
Those attending the reunion are descendants of two of the children of Petter, Peter Lohrentz II, and Maria Lohrentz-Penner, among those who emigrated to Harvey County from Molotschna. Many descendants grew up on family farms and ranches in central Kansas although the roster of today's family members, now several hundred in number, reflect widely diverse occupations, many in the ministry, education, woodworking and other trades, health, public services, and business, a broad variety of denominational affiliations, and residence in states across the nation and overseas.
Those planning this year's reunion program considered their children's and relations' concerns about current confused national orientations toward world-wide violence, threats and misery. The reunion program included presentations by guest historians of the Mennonite experience and family members, alternate opportunities for tours, and children's activities. Meals and overnight lodging were available at the college.
Friday evening's welcome program portrayed Mennonite cultural distinctions. Chris Crouse-Dick, communications instructor at Bethel College in North Newton and Chris Dick, English instructor at Tabor College in Hillsboro, with voice and guitar, led the audience in singing secular and sacred music, and provided solo interpretations sung in both German and English of several hymns from a Mennonite hymnal.
Historian and archivist Peggy Goertzen of Hillsboro, director of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor College, described life in the late 1800s in a typical Mennonite settlement in the Molotschna area, Ukraine with projected photos of early Mennonite home furnishings and architecture.
The final piece of the evening was a reader's theater presented by Dr. Leland Harder of North Newton, theologian and historian, and his family. It chronicled the Communist takeover and gradual destruction of Molotschna villages in the 1920s and 1930s, leading to death for many and emigration for thousands. Many Lohrentz family had escaped the 20th century horrors of the 1870s, but some emigrating later became survivors.
Historian Dr. Robert S. Kreider of Newton, kicked off Saturday's presentations. He conducted an interactive identification of Lohrentz family historical connections to a chronology of religious and secular events.
After a coffee break, historian Dr. James C. Juhnke of Newton, showed how our history books and instructors educated us on certain major historical points — most of which evolved through conflicts settled by violent reactions, force, or war.
Following a watermelon break, Goertzen reviewed methods of conducting oral history interviews with the elders to capture stories and memories abut earlier times and the architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, and people. John A. Lohrentz of Newton and Dr. Henry D. Remple of Lawrence, both 94 years of age, shared early stories.
Saturday's evening program featured Mil Penner of Inman. His slide show featured his family's transforming prairie in McPherson County over 125 years.
The reunion concluded Sunday morning with a short business meeting conducted by Dr. Lucy McAllister of Afton, Minn., and a worship and memorial service. Rev. Vernon Lohrentz of Newton officiated. Roger Hiebert of Marion conducted the congregational singing and was a member of the men's quartet with Lawrence Kliewer of Newton, Lowell Jost and Ken Koslowsky, accompanied by Carla Koslowsky, all of Hillsboro.
Christine and Chris Dick again presented guitar and vocal traditional hymns. Rev. Leland Harder gave the sermon, Dr. Leander Lohrenz of Kansas City provided the memorial recognitions, and the benediction was given by Rev. Dr. Lori McAllister.
Several family members mowed the original Lohrentz family cemetery near Moundridge which includes the graves of Peter Lohrentz II and his family.
This year's reunion was planned by Ken Koslowsky, Vernon Lohrentz, Leander Lohrenz, Lucy McAllister, Mary Alice Foth Hiebert of Marion, Ray Lohrentz of Hillsboro, Lee Ann Lohrenz of Fountain Valley, Calif., and Joyce Vandegrift of Valley Center.
The family plans to meet in three years.
