$150.00 - Luxembourg American Heritage Information Center

Germany, first with their mother, Christina, until she left in 1930, and then with their grandparents,
until they were sent for, in 1931.
In 1942, Bill, Jr. was drafted by Uncle Sam and was sent to Texas to become an airplane
mechanic. In 1944, he was sent to Germany as an interpreter and was discharged in 1946.
Upon returning from active duty, Bill, Jr. worked with his father and brother, Helmut, in
the family owned beer and beverage distribution business, until it closed, in 1969. In that year,
Helmut moved to Butternut, Wisconsin and Bill, Jr. worked for the James Paulus Distribution
Company, until he retired in 1972.
In 1948, Bill, Jr. and his wife, Lorraine (known as Dolly) had their only child, Glenn, who
was born with cerebral palsy. They devoted their lives to Glenn until he passed away in 1981. Bill
and Dolly Biegert reside in Morton Grove.
In late 1939, the Grand Lodge requested that each Section pay to it an assessment of 20 cents
per member to defray expenses associated with the upcoming visit of Prince Felix and Crown
Prince Jean to Chicago. At first, a dissenting member moved that the Section not pay the
assessment as the Section could not afford it. This motion must have been defeated for the Grand
Lodge received a check for $14.60. This indicated an active membership of 73 members.
The period commencing January 1,1940 saw the addition of several members who would be
play important roles in the Luxembourg community of Chicago. But before we say hello to these
members, we have to say farewell to others. Anton Krier, Sr., George Busscher, Jr. Peter
Nelleson, Nick Weber, Fred Schoening, Peter Hohs and Peter Dechambre all passed away in this
period. Their deaths would be marked by resolutions of condolence entered into the minutes of
the Section meetings.
The officers for 1940 were:
President Pat Seul
Vice-President Henry Weber
Recording Secretary Paul Hermes
Financial Secretary Nick Kalmes
Treasurer Joe Freres
Trustee Bill Biegert, Sr.
Trustee Tony Seul
Trustee Val Krier
In April, 1940, Otto Deckert became a member of the Section. Although he listed his
occupation as gunsmith, he owned and operated a tavern in Morton Grove known as the
"Sportmen's Tavern," located on Waukegan Road, south of Dempster Street. In November, 1939,
he purchased Mueller's Hall, refurbished it in a Bavarian bierstube style, and had a wiener
schnitzel festival. In back of the restaurant there was a large dance hall (in which Section 15 had
hosted its dance in 1939) where square dancing, polkas, rye waltzes, German waltzes and two
step dancing were held every Friday evening. Music was provided by Homer's Melody Makers.
It would be from Otto Deckert's estate that the L.B. A. would purchase the building and grounds
which would become known as the Luxembourg Gardens, in 1954.
In 1942, John A. Roller, Sr. of Morton Grove became a member. He was the proprietor of
Jack's Garage at 8614 Ferris Avenue, Morton Grove. Later, he would become the proprietor
of Jack's Hardware at 6244 Lincoln Avenue, and his son Jack, also a member of Section 15,
would run a hobby shop right down the block. By 1957, John A. Roller, Sr. was Mayor of
Morton Grove.
The Hansen family has played a prominent role in the affairs of Section 15. Its patriarch was
Hubert G. Hansen (married to Marie A. Mercatoris), who, born in Neider Feulen, Luxembourg,
immigrated to the United States in 1912. Arriving in Chicago, Hubert became a member of
Section 3. In the 1930's, he came to Niles Center and started the Oakton Park Realty Company,
which engaged in the home building business as well as realty management and sales. His office
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