The Deitz Family Reunion on Sunday, 26 May 1991

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Mr. and Mrs. Dennis L. Rader, Brian and Kerri In Attendance:

Hays, Kansas – In celebration of the 115 th anniversary of their ancestors’ arrival on the shores of the Western Hemisphere , the Deines and Dietz families held a joint reunion on Sunday, 26 May 1991 , on the Fort Hays State University campus in Hays, Kans.

The Dietz family began meeting in 1976 and the Deines family in 1982. The families have met every three years over the Memorial Day weekend since then – one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. At the last reunions in 1988, it was unanimously voted to hold a joint reunion in 1991.

A hymn sing and meditation began the day. Favorite songs in German and English included Jesu, geh voran; Faith of Our Fathers; gott is die Liebe; Praise to the Lorg, the Almighty; Ein’ feste Burg is unser Gott; and Ich habe nun den Grund gefunden . The singing was led by Mr. Toby Dietz of Ness City , Kans. , and Mr. Brent Mai of Richardson , Texas . Mrs. Barbara Dietz Reinert accompanied on the piano. Mrs. Lisa East Mai gave a meditation on three key elements to building a strong family: communication, commitment, and compassion. Mr. Mai led a prayer for the many members of both families who had departed this life since the families last gathered.

At noon , a catered dinner was provided by the Fort Hays State University Memorial Union. Following the meal there was a brief program with Mr. Bill Dietz of Ellis , Kansas , serving as the Master of Ceremonies. Mrs. Ethel Brack Lock of Ulysses, Kansas , author of The Dietz Family – Past and Present , gave some highlights of the Dietz family’s activity since the last reunion. She noted the large number of “fifth generation” members who had died during the past three years. Many of these were original immigrants from Russia . Mrs. Lock also announced that she is working on a second edition to her book on the Dietz family.

Mr. Brent Mai, a member of both families and author of the Deines Dynasty , had recently completed a cumulative index of Mrs. Lock’s book and its triennial additions. He noted that John (and its various spellings of Johann, Johannes, Jonathan, Johnny, Jonathan, and Jonothan) is the most popular first name in the Dietz family with 144 men who call it their own. Mary is the most popular female name with 67, but that does not include 30 Maries and 16 Marias . Mr. Mai also discovered that Anna Elisabeth is the name which has been used the longest in the family. The first Anna Elisabeth Dietz was born in 1836 and the most recent in 1983. Mr. Mai also announced the completion of the Deines Dynasty – Volume III.

For further information about obtaining the new edition of the Dietz Book , contact Mrs. Ethel Lock at P.O. Box 7 , Ulysses , Kansas 67880 . For further information about obtaining the Dietz Cummulative Index or the Deines Dynasty – Volume III , contact Mr. Brent Mai at PO Box 126 , Sharon Springs, Kansas 67758.

Mrs. Judy Deines Fabrizius of WaKeeney , Kans. , gave a presentation about the Deines Cultural Center located in Russell , Kans. Establishment of the Center was made possible by Mr. Luther Deines of Russell. The Center serves as the permanent home for an outstanding collection of art work by Mr. Luther Deines’ brother, Mr. E. Hubert Deines. His works have been displayed in many notable art galleries across the United States including the Library of Congress in Washington , D.C.

Following a brief business meeting at which all attending agreed to hold another joint reunion on 29 May 1994 , several people were recognized. Mr. John Knutson and his daughter Audra had traveled the greatest distance to attend the reunion. They came from Guam . Mr. Dan Deines, son of Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Deines of Norton , Kans. , had traveled the shortest distance. He is a student at Fort Hays State University and had come about two blocks.

Mrs. Margaret Deines Fabrizius of Denver , Colo. , at 94½ years of age, was the oldest woman in attendance. Mr. Solomon Dietz of Galatia , Kans. , was the oldest man in attendance having reached the age of 88 years. Miss Gretchen Dietz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Dietz of Goodland, was the youngest one there. She was barely 16 days old. Mr. and Mrs. John (Sara Fabrizius) Sherwood of Collyer, Kans. , married 4½ months earlier, were the newlyweds of the reunion. Mr. and Mrs. Huldrich (Sarah Deines) Michaelis who are preparing for their 60 th wedding anniversary later this fall had been married the longest.

The remainder of the day was filled with visiting, renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. The day concluded with an old-fashioned Dutch Hop at the Fanchon Ballroom in Hays.

The family get-together brought together members of the family from far and wide. This year 434 people from 21 states and Guam registered their attendance during the day’s festivities. The Kansas City Star reported over 900 in attendance at the 1976 Dietz reunion which was held in Russell , Kans. The Deines family’s first reunion in 1982 was planned to coincide with the publication of the first volume of the Deines Dynasty , a book detailing the history of the over 8,000 known members of the family. This book, compiled by Mr. Brent Mai, currently of Richardson , Texas , spans the family’s history from 1507 to the present. The Dietz family also has a volume outlining the family’s history. It was compiled by Mrs. Ethel Brack Lock of Ulysses, Kans. She has also published an update for each reunion since 1976.

The Deines and Dietz families are closely related in several branches. The Deines family claims over 524 members who carry the name of Dietz, and the Dietz family claims more than 375 members who carry the name of Deines. Stranded in a rather isolated German village on the Russian steppe, the families married back and forth quite often over the centuries.

The Dietz family traces its origins to Darmstadt , Germany . The Deines family traces its origins to nearby Hanau . The families are believed to have met for the first time in the village of Kratzke in Russia . At the invitation of Catherine the Great, herself an ethnic German, the Deines and Dietz families migrated from the Hessen region of Germany to the Russian Volga near Saratov in 1767. This is the same era during which the immigrants who became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch came to the United States .

To entice them to Russia , Catherine had granted the German settlers several privileges which were not available to the general Russian citizenry. Among those were freedom from taxation, freedom of religious practice, and above all, freedom from military service. When this final privilege was rescinded, the descendants of the original settlers began to look for a new home.

The first members of both families arrived in New York City aboard the S.S. Frisia on 22 August 1876 . They settled in the following locations: Russell, Barton, and Dickinson Counties in Kansas , and Clay and Adams Counties in Nebraska . By 1910, large numbers of both families had spread to Trego, Ellis, and Rush Counties in Kansas; Morrill and Scotts Bluff Counties in Nebraska; Weld, Adams, Larimer, Otero, and Crowley Counties in Colorado; Yellowstone, Carbon, and Stillwater Counties in Montana, Goshen and Washakie Counties in Wyoming; Yakima and Thurston Counties in Washington; and Multnomah County in Oregon.

The Deines and Dietz families also settled in and near Saskatoon , Lloydminster , Kerrobert, and Luseland in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan and in Edmonton and Red Deer in Alberta .

Today, the Deines family claims more than 8,000 known members and the Dietz family claims more than 5,000 known members. They can now be found in every state of the union, all of the U.S.-bordering Canadian provinces, Argentina , Brazil , Paraguay , and most of the countries of Western Europe .

An unknown number of family members also remain in the Soviet Union . Of those who did not migrate to the West, many died during the famines of the 1920s and 1930s. When Hitler’s advancing armies headed for Stalingrad during World War II, those Germans on the Volga yet living were deported to Siberia . The descendants of those who survived the deportation are believed to be living in Kazakhstan and Ubekistan.

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Those who registered their attendance at the reunion were:



From Guam : Mr. John Knutson and Audra. From Honolulu , Hawaii : Mr. Mark Deines. From Smyrna , Ga. : Dr. and Mrs. Marvin L. Deines. From Orlando , Fla. : Ms. Sharon Dietz. From Lumberton , N.C. : Mr. J. Palmer Deines. From Sioux City , Iowa : Mr. and Mrs. Rich Michaelis. From Denison , Iowa : Mr. and Mrs. John Schneider. From Mason , Iowa : Mr. and Mrs. Tony Steinert, Cody and Elyse.



From Scottsdale , Ariz. : Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dumler. From Billings , Mont. : Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Dietz, Brian, Russell, and Austin. From Forrest City , Ark. : Mr. and Mrs. Harsley Parr. From Conway , Ark. : Mr. and Mrs. Edward Schneider. From Cheyenne , Wyo. : Mr. and Mrs. Bill Fabrizius. From Green River , Wyo. : Mr. and Mrs. Everett Kraft.



From Columbus , Ohio : Mr. and Mrs. Jim McNulty. From Forest Park , Ill. : Ms. Vicky Newcomer. From Skokie , Ill. : Mr. Gene Bender. From Shreveport , La. : Mrs. Helen Mai Waddle and Ms. Ann Wright. From Richardson , Texas : Mr. and Mrs. Brent Mai. From Denison , Texas : Mr. and Mrs. Larry Deines and Erica. From Corpus Christi , Texas : Mr. and Mrs. Del Carlin.



From Cupertino , Calif. : Mr. and Mrs. Joe Doherty. From Paradise , Calif. : Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Johnston. From South Pasadena , Calif. : Mr. and Mrs. Bob Deines. From Hesperia , Calif. : Mr. and Mrs. R. Henry Fabrizius. From Durham , Calif. : Mrs. Irene Meier Dietz. From San Diego , Calif. : Mrs. Ellie Fabrizius Reavis. From Los Angeles , Calif. : Mr. Albert F. Fabrizius.



From Port Orchard, Wash. : Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Huber. From Zillah , Wash. : Mrs. Rachel Mai Emery. From Olympia , Wash. : Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Dietz. From Ephrata , Wash. : Mr. and Mrs. Carol Newcomer.



From Edmond , Okla. : Mrs. Luella Fabrizius Wadell, Miss Tara Gee, Miss Jessica Gee, and Miss Kristina Rose. From Alva , Okla. : Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bickerstaff, Ryan and Sarah. From Lincoln , Neb. : Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Deines. From Mitchell , Neb. : Mr. and Mrs. Leo Knaus. From McCook , Neb. : Rev. and Mrs. R. Fred Dietz. From Grand Island , Neb. : Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bortz.



From Loveland , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Karl Deines, Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Dietz, Kara and John, Mrs. Rose Krug Schaffer, Mr. and Mrs. Art Deines, Mrs. Marie Deines Koleber, Mrs. Lena Krug Schaefer, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pratt. From Denver , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Al Deines, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Michaelis, Miss Mary M. Dietz, Mr. Ken Michaelis, Ms. Olga Fabrizius Walker, Mrs. Margaret Deines Fabrizius, Dr. Ray Steinert, Ms. Vida Steinert Schulz, Mrs. Mela Meisner Lindsay, Mr. Shawn Mai and Ann, Mrs. Rose Mai King, and Mr. and Mrs. I.D. Gleason.



From Lakewood , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Koleber. From Red Feather Lakes , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Olin Bleh. From Fort Collins , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Vic Deines, Dr. and Mrs. Solomon Schneider, Mrs. Marie Deines Wilhelm, Ms. LaVonne Wilhelm, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Reager, Mrs. Marie Krug Stieben, Mrs. Minnie Fabrizius Blehm, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Stults, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Krug. From Canon City , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. John Marietta, Ray and Sue. From Estes Park , Colo. : Mrs. Helen Deines Kobobel.



From Arvada , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Werner Nau. From Colorado Springs , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Steven Deines, Amalia and Shawn, and Mrs. Clara Dietz Merckle. From Burlington , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Bill Deines. From Littleton , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Lundberg. From Westminster , Colo. : Mr. and Mrs. Carl Willmann. From Aurora , Colo. : Mrs. Marlene Lindsay Payne. From Castle Rock, Colo. : Mr. Bernard Steinert.



From Raymond , Mo. : Mrs. Donna Wagner Huber. From Adrian , Mo. : Mrs. Lyla Bremer, Russell and Cassandra. From Kirkwood , Mo. : Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Mai. From Lee’s Summit , Mo. : Mr. Duane Deines, Mr. and Mrs. Marty Deines and Torrey, and Mr. and Mrs. Roger Deines and Natasha. From Warrensburg , Mo. : Mr. and Mrs. David Deines.



From Elkhart , Kans. : Mrs. Elizabeth Deines Sitz. From Wichita , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dietz, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Dir and Michelle, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Bortz, Mr. Haworth, Ms. Kathy Bortz, Miss LeAnn Dietz, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis L. Rader, Brian and Kerri, Miss Gwen Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Walt Deitz, Miss Kim Drake, Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Mai, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Dietz, and Mr. and Mrs. William Locke. From Abilene , Kans. : Mrs. Lee Dietz Kauffman. From Brewster , Kans. : Mr. Brian Deines.



From Oakley , Kans. : Mrs. Marie Dietz Krug. From Ulysses, Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lock and Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Wheeler. From Otis , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dietz and Mr. and Mrs. Emil Dietz. From Collyer, Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Sol Dietz and Mr. and Mrs. John Sherwood, Joshua and Summer. From Manhattan , Kans. : Mrs. Ellen Fabrizius Desaire and Julie. From Plainville , Kans. : Mrs. Kathy Fabrizius Richter and Nicole and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mai.



From Great Bend , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Dietz, Mr. James Dietz, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Margheim, Mrs. Roxanne Feist Mayers, Jenelle and Jennifer, and Mrs. Gladys Deines Fiest. From Olathe , Kans. : Mrs. Janice Huber Gagnon and Mr. and Mrs. Lanny Fabrizius. From Emporia , Kans. : Mr. Ron Karst. From Galatia , Kans. : Mrs. Donna Dietz Wilhelm, Mr. Arthur Karst, and Mr. Solomon Dietz. From Ogallah , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Dietz. From Lenora , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Howard Dietz. From Dodge City , Kans. : Mr. Bob Dietz. From Quinter, Kans. : Mrs. Lillian Deines Huber. From Ness City , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Larry Reinert, Tobi and Tara, and Mr. and Mrs. Toby Dietz.



From WaKeeney , Kans. : Mrs. Elfriede Meier Mai, Mr. and Mrs. Harlen McGinness, Mr. and Mrs. Rubin Fabrizius, Mr. and Mrs. Don Dietz, Mrs. Leanna Deines Mohr, Mr. Tyler Fabrizius, Mrs. Rose Marie Dietz Doxon, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Fabrizius and Julie, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Karst, Mr. Scott Dietz, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Fabrizius , Mrs. Rachel Deines Fabrizius, Mrs. Clara Deines Flagler, Mr. Milton L. Dietz, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Fabrizius and Olivia, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dietz, Mrs. Ida Schoenthaler Deines, Mrs. Mollie Deines Berschauer, Mrs. Norma Berschauer Cunningham, Mr. and Mrs. Rich Deines, Brent and Emily, Mrs. Ruth Fabrizius Tuttle, Heather, Heidi, Holly, and Jeremiah, Mr. John Fabrizius, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Deines, Mrs. Pauline Deines Fabrizius, Mr. Bill Deines, Mr. and Mrs. Ferd Dietz, Ms. Nadine Dietz, Mr. Milton Mai, Mr. Leo Mai, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Deines, Mrs. Freda Deines Bender, Mr. Reinhold Deines, Ms. Delores Deines, Mr. S.P. Fabrizius, Mrs. Hannah Margheim Flagler, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Fabrizius, Ms. Myrna Mai and Tabitha Ghumm, Mrs. Martha Zahlis Mai, Mrs. Minnie Deines Rohn, Mrs. Alvena Fabrizius Funk, Mrs. Theresa Swan Jefferies, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Deines, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Deines, Mr. and Mrs. William Reitmayer, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Deines, Mr. Argus Fabrizius, and Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Deines, Paul and Christina.

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From Concordia , Kans. : Ms. Bonnie Deines and Ryan Channell. From Hutchinson , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Durr, Mr. Craig Gustin, and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fabrizius. From Junction City , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bickerstaff. From Goodland , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Milton Dietz and Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Dietz, Heather, Garret, and Gretchen. From Republic, Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Dietz, Emilee and Brittan. From Kansas City , Kans. : Mr. Brian Dietz.



From Utica , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Raymond E. Mai. From Luray , Kans. : Mrs. Rosetta Deines Jamison. From St. Francis , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mlinek. From Ellis , Kans. : Mrs. Edna Fabrizius Niernberger and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dietz. From Sharon Springs , Kans. : Mrs. Martha Deines Mai, Mrs. Lydia Dietz Rohn, Mrs. Viola Weigel Rohn, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mai, Mrs. Celia Mai Elder, Torrey and Caitlin, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Deines, and Mrs. Martha Deines Siebert. From Hoxie , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Dietz. From Hoisington , Kans. : Mrs. Esther Dietz Karst and Mr. and Mrs. Rex Harrington.



From Topeka , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Stan Karst, Jessica and Sheila, and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cavell. From Pratt , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Dietz and Lynn and Mr. and Mrs. Loren Dietz, Justin, Jaime, and Jody. From Belleville , Kans. : Mrs. Irene Bender Dietz. From Sterling , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Duane Johnson and Brenda. From Norton , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Deines. From Downs , Kans. : Mrs. Judy Fabrizius Graham. From Tribune, Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mai. From Stilwell , Kans. : Mr. Randy Deines. From Claflin , Kans. : Mrs. Shelly Feist Strube. From Ellinwood , Kans. : Mrs. Florence Karst Veach. From Spring Hill , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Larry Mahoney, Marsha and Sara. From Salina , Kans. : Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Dietz, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Rup, Mr. Arnold L. Deines, and Ms. Corkie Deines.