About Us

From the very beginning, the Jasper German Club was founded on the same principles that hold true today — to celebrate and preserve our German heritage while strengthening the bonds within our community. Rooted in Jasper’s rich cultural traditions, the club has long served as a gathering place for friends and families to enjoy social events, share stories, and honor the customs that shaped our town. Through festivals, music, food, and fellowship, the Jasper German Club continues to keep our German heritage alive and our community connected.

OUR MISSION

We bring people together to Promote, Preserve and Celebrate our History, Traditions, Language, Work-Ethic, Craftsmanship and Entrepreneurial Spirit that represent our German Roots.

Your Officers & Board

PRESIDENT
Laura Grammer

VICE PRESIDENT
Kurt Hedinger

TREASURER
Mike Ackerman

SECRETARY
Valerie Heim

Jane Balsmeyer (Marketing Coordinator), Bridgette Bartley (Booth/Fundraising Coordinator), Patrick Schuler (Special Projects Coordinator), Mary Leah Siegel (Sister Cities President), Paul Siegel (German Heritage Activities Adult Coordinator), Kim Lottes (Partnership Commission), Lonnie Nicholson (Communications Coordinator)

DIRECTORS

Current History in the Making

The Jasper German Club has a rich story that continues to unfold — and we want to include your memories and moments. If you’re hosting or attending an event, celebration, or gathering, please details with us! Your contributions help us document our shared history and preserve the spirit of the club for generations to come.

Email Patti Goepfrich >

A cartoon-style illustration of a sausage on a fork with the word "LECKER" in bold yellow and black letters, surrounded by white accent lines.

Log Sawing

Three stylized gray firework explosions on a black background.

Polka Dancing

Black and white drawing of an accordion with musical notes coming out.
The word "THANKS" written in black and yellow 3D text with a shadow effect.

Celebrating German Traditions

Close-up of a circular saw blade with a blurred background.

Visiting Germany

Take a Journey Through Our History

VIEW FULL HISTORY

  • 1980 - Founded in January, 1980, in Jasper, Indiana, USA, for the purpose of promoting interest in the community of our German heritage, history of the community, Bavarian architecture and more.

    1981 - 39 individuals departed Jasper on June 21 st and visited Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In October, the Jasper Deutscher Verein charted a bus to the Octoberfest in Terre Haute.

    1982 - The Deutscher Verein provided financial support for four Jasper High School students who studied in Germany for six weeks.

    1983 - The Deutscher Verein has their first German Food Stand during the Strassenfest.

    1984 - In November, Pfaffenweiler, Germany was chosen to be the Sister City of Jasper.  Claude Eckert consented to chair the program.  A group from Pfaffenweiler will visit Jasper in April.

    1985 - Harold Burton and Jim Corn were chosen to work on the placement of a Maypole near the Square.  Forty-one guests from Pfaffenweiler visited Jasper in May and the Sister City Proclamation was signed. 

    1986 - This is the first year Apple Strudel was sold in the Food Stand during Strassenfest. The Polka Contest was introduced as thee new event at the Strassenfest.

    1987 - The Deutscher Verein subsidized a convocation at Jasper High School and the Jasper Middle School. Log sawing was introduced at the Strassenfest.

    1988 -The Deutscher Verein held an “Authentic Old Fashion Day of Butchering” on the Leonard and Viola Wehr Farm.

    1989 - Claude Eckert received the Maurice Endwright Award from the Indiana Federation of Older Hoosiers for his work in establishing and maintaining Jasper and Pfaffenweiler as Sister Cities. Polka Masses introduced at Precious Blood, Holy Family, and St. Joseph’s Church.

  • 1990 - 100 cases of wine arrived from Pfaffenweiler and were sold at the Buehler Food Stores and the Schnitzelbank. There are approximately 270 members in the Deutscher Verein. The Deutscher Verein participated in parades at Ferdinand, Schnellville, and the Strassenfest.

    1991 - Two trophy cases were installed at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant to display items of the Deutscher Verein.

    1992 - The Deutscher Verein took a trip to Kitchener in Ontario, Canada. Black Forest Cake was introduced as a third dessert option at the Strassenfest. The Deutscher Verein and the Sister Cities organizations – At the March, 1992 meeting a motion was made and passed that the two organizations should be combined into one for the dues and activities effective January 1, 1993.

    1993 - The Deutscher Verein supported the Celestine Sesquicentennial by hosting visitors from Wagshurst, Germany, took shifts at food stands, and participated in Celestine’s parade. The Deutscher Verein took a trip to the German Fest in Milwaukee, WI.

    1994 - A costumed German Mascot was purchased for use at the Strassenfest.  Fritz was well received at the Strassenfest. Deutscher Verein vest patches are now available.

    1995 - 35 people signed up to visit Pfaffenweiler to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Sister City Partnership.  Mayor Fritz Gutgsell of Pfaffenweiler had personally invited members of the Deutscher Verein to travel to Pfaffenweiler for the celebration.

    1996 - Deutscher Verein will sponsor the Sheephead Tourney at the Strassenfest. Hats were sold for $10 and suspenders for $25.

    1997 - Matthias Hilger wrote bi-weekly articles for “The Herald” about news events, historical stories, and cultural differences and similarities between Jasper and Pfaffenweiler.

    1998 - The monthly Stammtisch “Regular Table” on the last Tuesday of The first Jasper Deutscher Verein Scholarship was given out to Dawn Weidenbenner.

    1999 - The Deutscher Verein’s fall trip was to the Oktoberfest in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

  • 2000 - Basic German classes ongoing at VUJC. The first meeting of the “Kaffee Klatsch” was held at the Schnitzelbank. The www.jaspergermanclub.org web site is established.  

    2001 - Tara Deppert, Darren Patterson, and Matthias Hilger attended the Annual Meeting of the Indiana German Heritage Society Meeting in Indianapolis.

    2002 - The Jasper Deutscher Verein (German Club) Heritage Endowment was established at the Dubois County Community Foundation.  The purpose of the endowment is to provide support to charitable projects benefiting generations in ensuring that our German Heritage is preserved and enriched in Jasper and Dubois County.

    2003 - The final Stammtisch was held in March. Outdoor German Home Decorating/Lighting Contest introduced prior to Strassenfest.  Sponsored by Jasper Deutscher Verein and Sister Cities of Jasper.

    2004 - Support of the water wheel on the reconstructed Eckert Mill began. Irrigation system installed by the May Pole at 6th and Newton Streets.

    2005 - One of the guests found Bob Sunderman’s beer bottle to be so interesting, he took it back to Germany with him!

    2006 - “A German Christmas” with Eberhard and Ruth Reichmann was held at the Gasthof in Montgomery.

    2007 - Continued support of the water wheel project.

    2008 - The Indiana German Heritage Society’s Annual Meeting and Symposium was held in Jasper in March, 2008.

    2009 - A 40’ trailer was purchased to haul and store both of the Strassenfest booths and their supplies.

  • 2010 - To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Jasper Deutscher Verein, the Birnie Jeffries family put together a digital presentation of pictures of members and events over the past 30 years.

    2011 - The Deutscher Verein donated $2,500 to ROJAC in support of the water wheel.  This is the last of the $30,000 commitment made by the Deutscher Verein.

    2012 - Members of the Deutscher Verein went to Indianapolis to help support the Schnitzelbank’s effort in their quest to have the #1 Sandwich in the State!!!  The Bratzel won!

    2013 - The 29th Annual Meeting and Symposium of the Indiana German Heritage Society was held at the Kordes Enrichment Center in Ferdinand.

    2014 - The Jasper Deustcher Verein scholarship continues to benefit our youth.

    2015 - The Bier Verkoster began. Jasper Deutscher Verein Facebook page was established.

    2016 - The new mural at 6th and Newton Streets was completed and dedicated during the Strassenfest.

    2017 - Matthias Hilger was named the Indiana German Heritage Society Hoosier German-American for 2017. 

    2018 - Strassenfest celebrated its 40th Year.

    2019 - The StrassenVORfest made its initial appearance in July. The Deutscher Verein introduced “German Heritage Night” at the Strassenfest.

  • 2020 - The Die Zeitung was published for February, March, May, June, September-October, November, and December as a way to keep our members engaged and informed of activities still going on in spite of the cancellations due to the Pandemic.

    2021 - The Deutscher Verein introduced new pins, pens, cloth patches, and frisbees.

    2022 - Sister Cities of Jasper was awarded the 2022 Program of the Year Award from Sister Cities of Indiana for the 35th Celebration Trip and Anniversary Celebration.

    2023 - The Log Sawing Contest continues at the Strassenfest.  The Jasper Deutscher Verein introduced this event to the Strassenfest in 1987 with Joe Eckerle as its first chairman followed by Danny Wehr.

    2024 - The Indiana German Heritage Society recognized the Jasper Deutscher Verein and Patti Goepfrich as the Co-Recipients of the 2024 Hoosier German-American of the Year.

    2025 - The new logo and strategic plan were presented to members of the Deutscher Verein in March. The Indianapolis Liederkranz Band announced they would be performing at the Strassenfest for the first time. The Hanselman Family invited members of the Jasper Deutscher Verein to the official unveiling of the brand-new Glockenspiel at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant.