Fascinating historical accounts of families that helped make Loose Creek a thriving community will be told Sunday at Immaculate Conception Parish, with the second installment of the “Voices from the Past” Cemetery Tour, beginning at 11 a.m. with refreshments provided by the ladies of the St. Anne’s Sodality. Presentations will begin at 11:30 a.m.

“In 2017, we had a beautiful, sunny, very warm 88-degree day, and we are hoping for good weather this year as well,” said book committee member Joanie Backes, noting the event is being presented in support of the 2020 family history book, which will include 715 stories and more than 1,000 pictures. The book can be pre-ordered now for $55 ahead of the 175th anniversary of the parish, which will be observed Oct. 10, 2020. “The presentations will share how these resilient individuals endured many hardships and trusted their strong faith to guide them through almost unbearable times in order to give their families a better life.” 

All nine stories this year are new, with none the same as those told in 2017. Each presentation will last approximately 10 minutes, and visitors will rotate in groups to all outside sites.

For more than two years, a committee in the parish has been collecting pictures, family stories and the history of the people who settled in or near the town, in turn using the information to write a series of books called “The Growing of Loose Creek.”  On Sunday, the history of nine individuals will be given a “voice” and brought to life in the form of a tour of the old parish cemetery.

The book committee has a process to determine what individuals to characterize for the tour.  In front of the church, a monument was erected honoring the many early German immigrants who settled in Loose Creek in the 1800s. From this monument, about 15 people are chosen as possible “voices.”  Then a search of the old cemetery is made, trying to locate the graves of these individuals.  Not every deceased person has a headstone marker and some are in a location that would be hard to access.  After finding the markers, the committee tries to contact a direct relative of these persons and ask if they would be interested in giving a presentation about their ancestor.

The individuals chosen this year had a variety of notable features in their lives.  There will be four women, four men and one couple portrayed. 

Backes noted that one individual came from a wealthy family whose letters attracted the attention of many Germans looking for more opportunities and religious freedom, but also told them that the “wilderness” was not for everyone.

“Most suffered many heartbreaking losses on their voyage to America, and after arriving” said Backes. “Some were business owners, one of whom’s descendant’s business would later be known throughout America. One served his country during the Civil War, while another went to California during the Gold Rush.”

The early women also proved they had great endurance and strength too. “Some were farmers and left a legacy of the love of the land that their family still honors today,” Backes said.

The last person buried in the old cemetery will be featured, as well as the story of her husband, who preceded her in death almost 40 years before. The old cemetery recorded new burials from 1850-1938, when new parish cemetery was opened. However, if a spouse was buried there or a family plot was purchased prior to 1938, burials did take place till 1974.

In case of rain, all the presentations will be held inside the cafeteria. The committee also plans to have some chairs, and if needed, some shade at some sites in case people want to sit for the presentations. None of the sites are too far down the hill that it would cause difficulty to access, Backes noted.

The tour is a fundraiser to help with the cost of the 2020 family history book, and tickets for the tour can be purchased for $10 in advance by calling Joan Backes at 573-680-1897 or 573-897-4286. Tickets purchased the day of the event will be $12. Books can be ordered by contacting Janice Muenks Backes at 573-619-8149.

Refreshments will be provided by the ladies of the St. Anne’s Sodality.

Members of the committee are Hubert & Joan Backes, Janice Muenks Backes, Joanie Backes, Becky Hilkemeyer and Rita Linhardt.