This branch of the Austrian Hesch family is descended from Johann Hesch and his wife Marya (Schlinz) Hesch, who came to America from Oberschlagles, Bohemia with three sons: Paul, Mathias, and Anton. +++Johann & Marya settled in Buffalo County, Wisconsin but moved to Pierz, Mn in about 1885. .+++Mathias settled in Waumandee, Wisconsin and moved to Pierz in 1911. +++Anton never married but farmed with his dad in Agram Township, where he died in 1911.+++And Paul, my great grandfather, settled five miles away, in Buckman, Minnesota. He died there in 1900.

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Friday, August 3, 2018

Loretta (Schmolke) Smith (1916-2018)

Wow.  
Here's an unexpected link to the past:  We've mentioned John and Pauline Schmolke (neighbors and friends of John and Ket Hesch in Buckman in 1925) and identified them in a family pic from the year John Hesch died.  Loretta was John and Paulines' daughter, and would have been 10 when that photo was taken. (I might have mistaken the Schmolkes in the 1925 photo, but I hope not--the link is too amazing).  RIP, Loretta..



 Loretta M. Smith, 101, of Lititz, passed peacefully on July 19, 2018, at Moravian Manor, Lititz, PA, less than a month short of her 102nd birthday. Born in Buckman, MN, on August 13, 1916, she was the 3rd of 12 children of the late John M. Schmolke and Pauline (Beka) Schmolke. After graduating from St. Francis High School in Little Falls, MN she went on to attend College of St. Benedict in St Joseph, MN and receive a degree in English and Library Science. She shared her knowledge with others as a high school English teacher and Drama coach in Little Falls, MN, Mandan, ND, and Neah Bay, WA and as a librarian in Hampton, MN and New London, CT. Loretta met her husband, the late Paul Smith in St Paul, Mn. They married in 1946 at Saint Augustine by the Sea Catholic Church in Honolulu, HI. She and Paul spent the first 3 years of their married life in Honolulu where their two oldest of 8 children were born. Paul’s work took them back to the mainland in 1949. After retiring they would move back to the big island of Hawaii, build a home and spend another 15 years there. After Paul’s passing in 1986, Loretta purchased a home in Lititz. Loretta enjoyed live theatre, old movies, ice cream, Chinese food, C-SPAN, reading, writing, swimming and making snow angels. She even spent 2 hours kayaking at Speedwell shortly after her 100th birthday. Loretta was known for her water color paintings and would hand make unique cards for family members and friends for special occasions. Loretta was an international traveler and ventured to various countries in Asia and Europe up to the age of 94. Loretta loved sending and receiving cards and letters, most recently she enjoyed staying connected to her family by Facetiming on her iPad. She was a devout Catholic and active member at St. James Catholic Church in Lititz, where she was a part of the Silver Liners and participated in the annual White Elephant Sale. She will be dearly missed by her children; Loretta LaBree (Bernie), Paul Smith (Lynn), Trudy Peters (Don), John Smith (Becky), Anna Webster (Jim), Helen Cookey (Niels), Ceil Wells (Rob), and Calvin Koerner. She will also be survived by her siblings; Sr. Margaret Schmolke OSF, Helen Schmolke RN, Pat Schmolke RN, Carol Larson, Tom Schmolke and Francis Schmolke USN. Surviving as well are 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren as well as many, dear nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul Smith, her parents, John and Pauline Schmolke, her youngest daughter, Toni Koerner, and 5 of her siblings, Fr. Joel Schmolke OFM, Sr. Thomasine Schmolke OSF, Lt. Cecelia Schmolke RN USA, Cely Schmolke USMC, and Jerry Schmolke USA. A viewing was held Wednesday July 25, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory at 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Guests were welcome to join the family in a Rosary Service prior to the viewing at 6:40 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at St. James Catholic Church located at 505 Woodcrest Ave, Lititz, PA 17543. Prior to Mass, guests will be received from 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. Memorial donations in Loretta’s memory can be made to the Moravian Manor Benevolent Fund at 300 W Lemon St. Lititz, PA 17543 or online at https://www.moravianmanor.org/donate/.

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