Wilhelm (Willliam) Gustave Carl August Rohde "Bill" (Karl Friedrich, Wilhelm Rohde) was born 25 March 1894 in Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan and was christened 15 April 1894 in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.  He died 19 October 1982 in Westgate Manor Nursing Home, St. Louis, Michigan and was buried in Richland Township Cemetery, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.William's sponsors for his baptism were Gustave Stenzel, Wilhelm Diener and Ferdinand Durow.  Bill was confirmed on March 24, 1909 at St. Peter's Evangical Lutheran Church in Hemlock, Michigan and his Confirmation Bible Verse was 2 Corinthians 12 V. 9. 

William G. Rohde was inducted into the army on November 17, 1917.  He sailed from the United States on June 19, 1918.  According to his "Individual Pay Record Book", William G. Rohde's monthly pay was $33.00 less his W.R. $10,000 Insurance premium of $6.60.  He received $26.40 per month.  This book lists his "Date of arrival in U.S. from f. s. (foreign service) July 3, 1919.

During WWI, William fought in France.  He drove an ammunition wagon with a team of eight horses.  William said that when the bugler sounded charge, the horses were trained to charge and there was no stopping them.  Ammunition wagons were prime targets, so he rode on the lead horse rather than on the wagon.  While in France, he had three of his horses shot and would have to cut them loose on the run because the other horses would not stop.  He was recognised as being skilled with horses and selected to drive the team that pulled the "big guns that could shoot 18 miles".

That winter in France was terrible cold.  He said that the horses were better off than the men because they always had plenty to eat and warm blankets.  At night, it would get so cold that some men would dig holes into the manure pile and crawl in because it would be warmer there.

Bill was a sharp shooter in the army and received several medals.  He was a member of the Merrill-Hemlock Post #7302 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Bill married Esther Bertha Pretzer Hoeppner, daughter of Ferdinand Pretzer and Bertha Emily Achterberg, on 21 December 1924 in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan by Rev. Ernst Walther.  Their marriage witnesses were Joh. Pretzer and Anna Anderson - Pretzer.   Esther was born 29 August 1897 in Richland Township, Saginaw County, Michigan and was christened 26 September 1897 in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.  She died 21 March 1982 in Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan and was buried in Richland Township Cemetery, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

William and Esther's first home was on Steele Road.  They next moved to Patterson Road and lived on a farm owned by Clyde Cox.  There he farmed for Mr. Cox.

Finally, they bought forty acres of land on Hemlock Road from a brother-in-law, Charles Zabel.   He now worked his own farm and worked for Schultz Brothers in Saginaw (They made milk coolers for farmers).

After leaving Schultz Brothers, he farmed full time and Esther worked for Midland Hospital.  After she left the hospital, William continued to farm full time and they added more chickens to the farm and had an egg route in Saginaw, delivering eggs to homes and stores. 

"I remember my grandfather as a quietly strong, moral, hard working man who liked to have fun.  I remember him coming by with a sleigh (looking back.. it was a big old pallet) hitched to his tractor, picking up his grandchildren, and taking us on a thrill ride about the farm.  In the summer, we (the grandchildren and some neighbors) would often gather in grandpa's back yard to play baseball.  Usually grandpa would be working, but I can remember him coming out and playing ball with us, laughing and having a great time.

The trips to their, William's and Esther's, cabin in Harrison were also adventurous events.  They would gather up grandchildren from several families (I think they tried to group us by age and gender) and off to the wilderness we would go.  The cabin had a hand pump outside for water, an outhouse, and the water in the lake was always cold, but I had a great time every time I got to go.

After his funeral, I had people of all ages express to me how much they liked my grandfather and gave examples of his dry sense of humor and pranks that took years to set up.  I miss him a great deal.  Bradley Rohde"

William and Esther had the following children:

1.   Violet Emma Meta Hoeppner was born 4 November 1919 and died 21 October 1997.

2.   Emil Arthur Hoeppner was born 19 July 1923 and died 5 October 2004.

3.   Elwood Elder Rohde was born 3 June 1927 and died 21 May 2000.

4.   Wallace Walter Rohde was born 17 February 1930 and died 13 February 1996.

5.   William Jr. Rohde was born on 6 October 1933 and died on April 23, 2022.

SOME OF ESTHER AND BILL'S GRANDCHILDREN.

BILL AND ESTHER'S GRANDCHILDREN

        PHOTO TAKEN IN THE 1960'S

Violet Emma Meta Hoeppner was born 4 November 1919 in Richland Township, Saginaw County, Michigan and was christened 23 November 1919 in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan. Violet's sponsors for her baptism were Edward Hoeppner, Emma Neuenfeldt, Wilhelm Pretzer and Meta Pretzer. 

Violet was a member of Zion Llutheran Church, Iva, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan where she taught Sunday School and was an active member of the Ladies Aid.

Violet married Harold R. Helfrecht.  He was born 31 January 1914 in Saginaw, Michigan.  He died 8 November 1997 in Saginaw General Hospital, Saginaw, Michigan and was buried 11 November 1997 in Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

Violet and Harold had the following children:

1.   Carol Jean Helfrecht was born 13 October 1938 in Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan.

2.   Doris Helfrecht was born 1 July 1940,

3.   Barbara Ann Helfrecht was born 19 July 1942.

4.   Harold R. Helfrecht was born 25 June 1951 and died 10 November 1951.

5.   David Helfrecht

   Carol Jean Helfrecht was born 13 October 1938 in Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan and was christened the same year at Iva, Zion Lutheran Church, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.  Carol married Robert Russell Futrell and had four children.  Carol died 14 September 1988 and Robert died on 16 June 2005.  They are both buried in the Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

  a.  Carol and Robert had a son, Robert Keith Helfrecht born 21 April 1958, Saginaw, Michigan and died on 5 March 2006.  Robert had three children.

Doris Helfrecht was born 1 July 1940 and was christened the same year at Iva, Zion Lutheran Church, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.  Doris married Marvin Hutfilz and they  had an adopted son, Mathew Lowell Hutfilz who was born 23 July 1967.  Doris and Mathew died 4 May 1968 due to a car accident on 4 May 1968, they are both buried in the Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Hemlock, Michigan

 Doris married Marvin Hutfilz and they  had an adopted son, Mathew Lowell Hutfilz who was born 23 July 1967.  Doris and Mathew died 4 May 1968 due to a car accident on 4 May 1968, they are both buried in the Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Hemlock, Michigant.

                                                           Son of Marvin and Doris Helfrect                                                                   Hutfilz.  MATHEW LOWELL HUTFILZ

Barbara Ann Helfrecht was born 19 July 1942 and was christened the same year at Iva, Zion Lutheran Church, Hemlock, Michigan.  She died 3 November 1952, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan. Barbara was a Hemlock Public School student at the time of her death.  Barbara was boarding a school bus with her sister, Carol, when she decided at the last minute to return back to her house. She walked from behind a moving truck, into the path of a car which was the cause of her death. Barbara is buried in the Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

Emil Arthur Hoeppner was born 19 July 1923 in Richland Township, Saginaw County, Michigan and was christened 5 August 1923 in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.  He died 5 October 2004 in Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan and was buried in Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

Emil married Herta F. Tessin.  Herta was born 18 November 1922 in Richland Township, Saginaw County, Michigan.  She died 6 March 2005 in Jonesfield Township, Merrill, Saginaw County, Michigan and was buried in Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

Emil and Herta had the following children:

1.  Elaine Marie Hoeppner was born 23 June 1943, Midland, Midland County, Michigan. 

Elaine has three children Mark, Bonni and Barbara.

2.   Wilfred Hoeppner

3.   Arnold L. Hoeppner was born 1 December 1944 in Midland County, Michigan.

4.   Gerald Hoeppner. 

    a.  Gerald Hoeppner's only son, Jared Lee Hoeppner was born on 18 December 1973, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan and died on 5 August 2021. 

5.   Lloyd Hoeppner was born on 20 January 1952.  Lloyd is an 1070 graduate of Merrill High School, Merrill, Saginaw County Michigan.  

1.  Elaine Marie Hoeppner was born 23 June 1943, Midland, Midland County, Michigan. 

Elaine was a 1961 graduate of Merrill High School, Merrill, Michigan and furthered her education by graduating from Alma College in 1974 with a degree in Elementary Education. Elaine taught school for 11 years and then worked for the United States Postal Service as data analyst and travel doing training for managers. She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Saginaw, Michigan.  As part of her Christian journey Elaine participated and volunteered with the LWML, Stephen's Ministry, and various Bible study groups.  Elaine enjoyed traveling, sewing, attending book clubs, looking through catalogs, and spending time with her grandchildren and Dachshund, Chocolate.

Elaine died on January 31, 2023 at her home and is buried in the Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

  Arnold L. Hoeppner was born 1 December 1944 in Midland County, Michigan.

Arnold was a graduate of Merrill High School, Merrill, Saginaw County, Michigan in the class of 1962.

Arnold served in the United States Army during the VietNam Conflict, enlisting on 4 November 1964. His Army Unit was 103 D Engineering Company (CS) USARV and he was Honorably Discharged on 21 August 1967 receiving the Vietnam Service Medal. He was employed at Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors Corporation about five years. 

Arnold was killed in an automobile/train accident on St. Andrew's Drive in Saginaw County, on October 18, 1968 at the age of 23 years old.   He is buried in the Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

a.  Gerald Hoeppner's only son, Jared Lee Hoeppner was born on 18 December 1973, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan and died on 5 August 2021. Jared served in the U.S. Army as a M.P. in Bosnia and Kuwait. Jared married Julia M. Engel.  Jared was employed by Nexteer Automotive for 15 years. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Saginaw, Michigan and also a Cub Scout Leader. Jared enjoyed traveling, gardening, his love of animals and especially spending time with his family. Jared's funeral was with a Military Service conducted by V.F.W. Post #1859, Saginaw, Michigan.

Elwood Elder "Al" Rohde was born 3 June 1927 and was christened 19 June 1927 in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan. Al married Erma M. Corbat on 1 July 1950. 

Al and Erma settled in Hemlock, Michigan where their family grew to nine children.  Al and Erma worked hard to give their children a happy life.  They enjoyed travel and often spent winters in Texas or Florida although they never left Michigan before hosting a Christmas Eve party for their children and grandchildren.  They took great joy in spending time with family and friends.

 Al died 21 May 2000 and Erma on 25 January 2016 and  are buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

Al and Erma had the following children:

1.   Joseph Rohde

2.   Deanna Rohde

3.   Alan Rohde

4.   Lorraine Marie Rohde was born 5 August 1954 and died 20 August 1954.

5.   Laurie Rohde

6.   Joan Rohde

7.   Douglas Rohde

8.   Phillip Rohde

9.  Michelle Rohde.

ELWOOD ROHDE FAMILY

ELWOOD ROHDE FAMILY

Wally Walter Rohde "Wally" was born 17 February 1930 in Ingersol Township, Midland County, Michigan.  He died 13 February 1996 in Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan and was buried 17 February 1996 in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

Wally was employed by the Farm Bureau, Saginaw, retiring in 1975.  Wally served the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953 and was a member of the V.F.W. Post #7302.

Wally married Louise Marie MdDonald daughter of Malcolm McDonald, on 28 November 1954 in Fremont Township, Saginaw County, Michigan.

Wally and Louise had the following children:

1.   John Wallace Rohde was born 15 July 1955 and died 22 October 2006 at      Genesys Health Care Park , Grand Blanc, Michigan. 

2.   Thomas Rohde

3.   Connie Louise Rohde was born 5 August 1956  and died 25 December 1975 and is buried at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Hemlock, Michigan.

4.   James Rohde

5.   Walter Rohde.

WALLACE ROHDE FAMILY

1.   John Wallace Rohde was born 15 July 1955 and died 22 October 2006 at Genesys Health Care Park , Grand Blanc, Michigan. He was a graduate from Hemlock High School in 1973.  He was employed by Martin Transport, Flint, Michigan and was a member of the Catholic faith.  John had one son Jeremy.  John is buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

William Jr. Rohde "Bill" was born 6 October 1933 in Richland Township, Saginaw County, Michigan and was christened in Zion Lutheran Church, Richland Township, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.  Lois was born on  16 June 1934. Bill  married Lois Hutfilz on 23 May 1953 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hemlock, Saginaw County Michigan.

Bill worked for the Dow Chemical Corporation in Midland, Midland County, Michigan in the skilled trades as a Tin Smith.  Lois and Bill enjoyed traveling and golfing  and were married for 67 years. 

Lois died on 28 February 2020 and Bill died on 23 April 2022, they are both buried in the Richland Township Cemetery, Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan.

They had the following children:

1.   Bradley Rohde

2.   Gregory Rohde

3.   Catherine  Rohde

4.   Dale Rohde

BILL ROHDE FAMILY

Son of Brad and Jackie Rohde - Brett Siler was born 23 March 1973 and passed away on January 26, 2018.