Grossmann Reunion

Words spoken at a family reunion 45 years ago led to unexpected millions for Wartburg College

BY ROBERT C. GREMMELS ’52 | PHOTOS WARTBURG COLLEGE ARCHIVES

“And nobody asked for money.” The story behind these words lives on, perhaps more significantly now than ever. Who said it? Where? And what followed?

It began in the middle of Wartburg’s 125th anniversary year, 1977-78.

Cousin Bill Lynes ’50 and I — two great-great grandsons of Georg Grossmann, Wartburg’s founder — were lamenting that this early giant had faded from the spotlight. Anniversary attention focused more on Wartburg’s amazing growth since the centennial. About the only Grossmann mementos on campus were a hanging portrait and a modest men’s residence hall bearing his name. If the name Grossmann appeared in print, it was likely misspelled.

Bill and I wondered: Would a family reunion revive Grossmann’s name? How might we arrange it? And would any descendants even come? Aided by several other relatives in the area, we formed a possible guest list, but it was sketchy and dominated by descendants from distant areas.

At the time, I was directing Wartburg’s public relations office and teaching journalism, and I used my letterhead to prepare invitations. Bill, who died in 1999, was then a U. S. Postal Service employee in nearby Plainfield and started work on a Grossmann memory booklet. We asked Alumni Director Jan Striepe to include the reunion as part of Alumni Day activities, assuming at least a few returnees would be alumni. But we hesitated to publicize anything, still fearful of a fizzle.

Was one man worth all this effort? Ask Wartburg historian Dr. Ron Matthias, who has studied Grossmann’s life as educator and church leader:

“Grossmann was always the man in charge,” he says. “Every major problem seemed to end up in his lap. Every major decision bore the stamp of Georg Grossmann. He was always the go-to guy. It’s not because he hoarded power or sought always to control but because his contemporaries recognized in Grossmann leadership of the first order.”

Meet the early Grossmanns

Georg and Nanny Grossmann had 12 children. Eight lived to adulthood and all but one, Nannie or Nonnie (1868-1947), married and had children.

The Grossmanns’ oldest, Emily (1847-1918), married Pastor Paul Bredow, who planted a number of churches in Northeast Iowa. The youngest of the seven, Emma (1864-1915), married Paulus List, longtime manager of the Wartburg Publishing House in Chicago.

Georg Grossmann

Elizabeth (1849-1916) married Kurt Gottlob Amman. Wilhelmina (1855-1907) married Pastor Friedrich Kuethe. Marie (1858-1900) married Pastor Heinrich Hoerig. Gottfried (1860-1926) became a Waverly newspaper publisher, and Gottlob, or G.A., (1863-1933) became a Waverly banker.

All seven lines were represented at the reunion, with the largest contingency representing the descendants of Emily Grossmann Bredow and Emma Grossmann List.  

Amazingly, reservations began arriving — from Florida, California, New York, Nebraska, Illinois, and beyond. We were elated.

Reservations continued to arrive, many accompanied by letters of joy that such a thing was happening. And a surprising number of descendants came — close to 100 over the weekend. Among them were 91-year-old grandson Herbert List and his brother, Erwin; granddaughters Emma and Hilda Grossmann; granddaughter Irene List Saemann and her husband, Franklin; and granddaughter Adele List Boatman. Eight grandchildren — including Linda Hahn, Gottfried’s daughter, and Frieda Hoerig, Marie Grossmann Hoerig’s daughter — also were present.

Well beyond expectations

For the Grossmann clan, the weekend included an arrival reception in the original (Germanic) Castle Room, tours of the campus, recognition at the Alumni Day Luncheon, special seating and recognition at Commencement, and a gathering at Harlington Cemetery to place a wreath at the Grossmann grave. At a separate ceremony, granddaughter Adele List Boatman mounted a new bronze plaque on Grossmann Hall.

As the weekend concluded, family members shared comments about what a wonderful time they had had, how welcomed they had felt, how many relationships they had developed or rekindled. They and Wartburg College had indeed honored Georg Grossmann. 

Then came the quote of the weekend. Franklin I. Saemann, husband of Irene List Saemann, said in amazement, “And nobody asked for money: Nobody passed the hat.”   

Grossmann Family Reunion

Now, 45 years later, we honor the descendants of Georg Grossmann much as they honored him on that memorable weekend. As the website of the Franklin I. and Irene List Saemann Foundation website enthusiastically states:

“During a visit to Wartburg College in 1978, Frank and Irene were impressed with the warm hospitality and the beautiful campus and began making personal donations to the College. Upon Frank’s death in 1987, the Franklin I. and Irene List Saemann Foundation was established to benefit Wartburg and charitable institutions in the Warsaw, Indiana, community.”

­­­­­ The website notes also that “Franklin I. Saemann was a pioneer in the field of orthopedic equipment and a well-known philanthropist. Frank founded and operated the Warsaw-based Orthopedic Equipment Company in 1942. Irene was a nurse and provided support and companionship as the couple traveled around the world on business as the firm prospered.”

Undoubtedly, as a philanthropist Frank Saemann had been asked for money before. It must have been refreshing to find that the Wartburg invitation had no hidden agenda.

Looking back now, great-granddaughter Joann Kilgus, who has served on the boards of both the Saemann Foundation and Wartburg College, still cherishes the family memories.  “It was a wonderful opportunity to gather with members of our family and to meet other descendants of Georg Grossmann,” she said. “Uncle Frank was so pleased that the college honored his beloved Irene and her family that he began supporting the college.  This was the beginning of the Franklin I. and Irene List Saemann Foundation.”

Grossmann Reunion

Well beyond expectations

For 45 years, Wartburg has enjoyed support from Grossmann descendants, much of it in the funding of programs and scholarships. I should have sensed it coming when grandson Erwin List casually handed me a check for a thousand dollars and said, “Maybe Grossmann Hall could use a little fixing up.” (Adjusted for inflation, that gift would be roughly $4,500 today.)

Grossmann Hall got more than that when it was later replaced with a new Grossmann Hall, which could easily have been named Saemann Hall. But the benefactors wanted even more recognition for the first president. Not until 2007 did the Saemann name go on a building, the Saemann Student Center. And old Grossmann Hall? It’s now renamed Founders Hall.

Throughout the years, Wartburg has been blessed with widespread financial support, but the Saemann Foundation has stood out in so many ways — supporting buildings, programs, projects, scholarships. Most recently, the foundation gave $1.5 million as a challenge grant to renovate Centennial and Vollmer halls and another $1.5 million to complete what is now known as the Ubuntu Center in 2022.

“It’s fitting that the Ubuntu Center, named to highlight Wartburg’s commitment to strengthening community, was made possible in part through the generosity of a family who grew to cherish being such a special part of our community,” said Scott Leisinger, vice president for institutional advancement. “From our founding in 1852 to the present, members of the Grossmann family have been shaping the future of Wartburg through their leadership and service. What an incredible legacy.”

According to Leisinger, since 1978, the “money nobody asked for” has benefited Wartburg to the tune of more than $10 million, nearly all from Saemann grants but including other donations to Grossmann scholarships.

To be sure, Wartburg has received large amounts raised through traditional fundraising, but the Grossmann reunion of 1978 reminds us that sometimes just hosting a joyous event can have surprising rewards.