After the years of World War I, life seems to have settled into a happy routine for Joe and Annie’s family. By the spring of 1920, the family included Ted, Clem, Mary, Albert, Joe Jr. and Bertha.
On May 17, 1920, Joe and Annie packed up the whole family and returned to Crete for a very special occasion. According to the Crete News:
There are very few of us, as we journey hand in hand along life’s pathway, and time begins to silver the once dark locks, and our steps grow more few and feeble, who have the pleasure of reaching the golden milestone on life’s highway. But such is the good fortune of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Rademacher, who celebrated their golden wedding Monday, May 17. A Nuptial High Mass was celebrated at 9 o’clock at Sacred Heart Church, Father Mosler officiating. Again this esteemed couple, in the presence of their children, grandchildren, relatives and friends, renewed the vows they had taken fifty years ago.
Their little granddaughter, Josephine Willie, preceded the bride and groom up the aisle, bearing the white satin pillow on which rested a golden wreath. The bride and groom were attended by Mr. Kohl, Mrs. M. Patz, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sondermann of Grand Island, and were followed by the children and grandchildren. After the services there was a sumptuous feast spread at the home of the bride and groom for relatives and friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Rademacher were married in Olpe, Germany in 1870, coming to Crete in 1878, where they have since resided. Thirteen children came to bless this union, nine of whom are still living; they have two who embraced the religious life, belong to the order of Sisters of the Precious Blood, and twenty-five grandchildren, all of whom were here to celebrate this happy event. They were recipients of a great number of beautiful presents and the congratulations of a host of friends who hope that this worthy and highly esteemed couple, that Father Time has dealt so kindly with, may still continue to travel hand in hand for many years to come.
The news article above mentions some unfamiliar names, particularly “Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sondermann.” I only recently discovered that Joseph Sondermann was a nephew to Joseph Rademacher. Sondermann’s mother was Joseph Rademacher’s oldest sister. I have more to tell about the Sondermann family another time.
This iconic photograph commemorated the occasion:
In future posts I will tell more about the Joe’s siblings. Dale and I have been in touch with some of their descendants in recent years.
They also gathered for a group shot that day. I believe Joe and Annie are in the center of the back row (on the porch) and Annie is holding baby Bertha. I’m thinking that’s Ted at the far right in the front row, holding Joe Jr. on his lap.
I’m also wondering about the two older gentlemen on the left end of the middle row. I’m thinking they might be Frank Rademacher (Joseph’s younger brother and the first Rademacher to come to America) and Joe Sondermann. The women on the other side of Josepha could be Frank’s wife Mary and Joe Sondermann’s wife (also named Mary).
Next time we’ll take a look at the 1920 census back in Snyder, and then explore how the family’s fortunes began to deteriorate on many different levels.
