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1) THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER (by Tom Steichen)
 This
month's random bits and pieces (Article 1) begins with a Facebook exchange that
yielded a "Burgenland" fact that I didn't know... tempting, huh? We follow with two bits from the
FamilySearch Blog, one on US ports of entry and the other about new records. We then
provide the Walt Groller obituary. Although Walt was a Burgenland polka icon, he was born in the US so does
not fit in our regular emigrant obituary section. The final bit is about the 61st BG "picnic," a tradition still
bringing people to the Heimat.
Our regular tidbits include the monthly BB Facebook report, book sales, a recipe, and
a cartoon.
We follow that with an article by Tim Hermesdorf about where emigrants settled in the Chicago
metro area. Tim has written before on the topic but this is a much more data-intense analysis, even though
it just covers the A-H section of the alphabet.
The remaining articles are our standard sections: A Historical BB Newsletter article,
Ethnic Events and Emigrant Obituaries.
First First Lady of Austria was a Burgenländer: Patrick Kovacs shared an exchange he had with a
BB Facebook member, Leslie Bryant, wherein he helped her work out a relationship. Turns out that Leslie is a
great-great-grandniece of the woman who became the First Lady of Austria, that woman being the wife of the
first President of the Second Austrian Republic (formed after WW-II when Austria was separated from
Hitler's Germany). But let's allow Leslie and Patrick to tell the story.
Leslie writes (in part):
Hi Patrick, I was thinking today about my great-grandmother, Marianna Stoisits. I remembered my grandmother
saying that my great-grandmother received an invitation to attend, most likely, the funeral of Karl Renner.
She said that somehow our family was connected to him. That got me thinking. I looked up Karl Renner and saw that
he was married to a Luise Stoisits (aha!). I think my great-grandmother was related to her, but i don't
know how. I cannot find any record on Ancestry of her except for a picture of her and Karl Renner.
Wondering how I can find definitive information about her family tree, her parents and siblings, etc. My
great-grandmother even looked like her. Any ideas? Leslie
Patrick responds (in part):
 Karl
Renner (1870-1950), first Chancellor of German-Austria (1918-1919) and of the First Austrian Republic (1919-1920)
and first President of the Second Austrian Republic (1945-1950), was married to a woman from Burgenland. Here is
the marriage record:
data.matricula-online.eu/wien/03/02-08/?pg=162
After a bit of research, I also found an answer for your question. Renner's wife, Luise, was your
great-grandmother's (Maria Stoisits Reiter) aunt. See tree:
https://www.geni.com/family-tree/index/6000000196622389827
Editor: If you work back from the relationship Patrick indicates (niece and aunt), where the niece is the
great-grandmother of Leslie, you will see that Leslie is the great-great-grandniece of Luise.
As noted above, Luise was the first First Lady of the Second Austrian Republic. Although she also
was the wife of the first Chancellor of the First Austrian Republic and of the first Chancellor
of German Austria, the First Lady title has never been used to refer to the wife of an Austrian
Chancellor (in fact, they have had no special title; further, there was a President and First
Lady while Renner was Chancellor so it would be inappropriate to assign that title to Luise). In
Austria, the Chancellor is head of government (a very political role), whereas the President
is head of state (an integrative and representative role). As such, the president's wife has a supportive
role in presenting Austria to the rest of the world, so she is given a formal title.
As for Karl Renner, he was born in 1870 in Unter-Tannowitz, Austria-Hungary, which is now Dolní Dunajovice, Czech
Republic, just over the border north of Vienna. His wife, Luise Stoisits, was born in 1872 in St. Nikolaus (bei
Güssing) in Burgenland. At age 16 she moved to Vienna, where she lived with relatives and worked at an inn. She
met Karl Renner in 1890 while he was completing his military service, and their daughter Leopoldine was born a
year later. They married in 1897. Luise Stoisits Renner was also a political activist in her own right: after the
establishment of the welfare charity Volkshilfe Österreich in 1947, she was elected its inaugural
president.
German Austria was the initial Austrian "rump state" formed after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire. However, the victorious powers refused to accept any name for Austria that implied a connection to
Germany, so it was short-lived. The Austrian Republic was its approved successor with much of the same
leadership. As you should know, Austria was absorbed into Germany during WW-II but was recreated as a separate
entity after the war. Thus we get the First and Second Austrian Republic titles.
US Immigration Ports: The FamilySearch Blog, found
here, recently published an interesting article about ports
of entry into the US.
 A
port of entry is a location where a person can legally enter the country. Historically, ports of entry were
seaports and the major immigration ports in the 19th and 20th centuries were New York, Boston, Baltimore,
Philadelphia, Charleston, San Francisco, Galveston and New Orleans.
Nonetheless, some ports were land-based, and from 1513 through 1990, there were more than 70 US immigration ports
in all and more than half of the 50 states had ports of entry. Today, ports of entry are typically international
airports, roads, or railways.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the major era for Burgenländer emigration, virtually all emigrants arrived in
the US through one of the eight major ports, yet with only two of those eight seeing significant Burgenländer
traffic.
New York: A vast majority of immigrants passed through New York as they arrived in America. Ellis Island
was the leading US immigration port, with over 12 million immigrants passing through. Castle Garden—New
York’s immigration port before Ellis Island—saw over 8 million immigrants in its lifespan of 1855 thru 1891. Ellis
Island would take over in 1892.
Philadelphia: Ironically, most immigrants that settled in Philadelphia didn’t arrive through Philadelphia’s
port of entry. Rather, they came there from the New York port of entry just 90 miles away. Still, this was the
second-most used entry port for Burgenländers.
Baltimore: Locust Point became an official port of entry in 1706, but it wasn’t until 1868 that the
immigration pier was built in preparation to connect the port of entry to the B&O Railroad. A few Burgenländers
entered here.
Boston: Boston immigration picked up speed with subsidized immigration during the Irish potato famine, and
many Irish stayed in Boston because they had no means of traveling further. Few Burgenländers entered here.
The southern and western ports of entries were insignificant for Burgenland traffic. San Francisco was the
largest port on the western coast but, for obvious reasons, was not used by Burgenländers. New Orleans
immigration peaked in the early 1800s, processing over 550,000 immigrants in that time (including one of my
ancestral families). However, the Civil War blocked immigration through New Orleans and it never picked up again.
About 200,000 immigrants came through Galveston between 1865 and 1924 and, while Charleston became a
port of entry in 1682, the port was better known as a hub for trade in the south.
FamilySearch Records: The FamilySearch Blog also contains weekly updates about the types of
records added to the FamilySearch collection. This records collection typically grows by more than a
million records each week, however new Austrian or Hungarian records are rare now. What has been appearing
recently is index records for Hungarian civil vital records (this making them searchable), though only 10-20,000
are added every few months. Still, one of those records may be for one of your ancestors!
An area of significant growth has been South American records. Some Burgenländers went there after the US highly
restricted emigration in the early 1900s. In fact, I was able to find a significant number of Brazilian and
Ecuadorian family records for a potential BB member. We remain frustrated, though, because the records we found
just give "Austria" as where the emigrants came from. Perhaps, as additional records are added, we may be able to
find a specific location and welcome this researcher to the BB family.
For the rest of us, many US-based records are added each week. Check out the Blog to see if they are from
an area where your family settled.
Walt Groller Obituary: An icon of ethnic music in the Lehigh Valley and around the world died in
July. Because Walt was born in America, he does not fit our "Burgenland Emigrant Obituaries" section.
Still, his death is worth noting so his obituary is provided here:
 Walter
John Groller died July 17, 2023 at his home in Whitehall, surrounded by his loving family.
He was the husband of Marilyn (Schweitzer) Groller, and celebrated 67 years of marriage together.
Born in Allentown, he was a son to John Jr. and Hattie (Hacker) Groller.
Walt served in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion and
Catholic War Vets.
Walt enjoyed a 72 year long career as a professional musician, retiring in 2018 and attained national and
international recognition carrying out his motto "Bringing People Together Through Music". Starting at age
14, Walt was the leader of the Walt Groller Orchestra. Walt will be remembered for his famous Walt Groller
Tours: 34 European Tours, 27 years of Christmas Weekends in the Poconos, 31 Cruises and US land tours. During his
career, Walt produced over 30 recordings, did live radio at WKAP for 10 years and produced several shows,
including The German Hour on WFMZ Radio and Cafe International on
TV with WFMZ for 7 years.
He was the recipient of Austrian Cross of Recognition in 1981 from the Burgenland Government, and was
awarded a Diploma of Honor from Robert Stolz Society that same year. Walt was inducted into the Polka
Music Hall of Fame, was a member of the International Polka Association and was nominated for a
Grammy Award for his recording "Polkamatic." Walt received the Gold Cross from the Republic of
Austria recognizing his work in keeping the Austrian heritage alive as well as the European American Music
Award Lifetime Achievement Award and the Cross of Appreciation from Burgenland, Austria. Accolades over the
years include certificates of honor from President's Reagan, Clinton and G.W. Bush along with many state and local
awards. He received the Linny Award for Performing Artist of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award
from the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame.
In his spare time, Walt loved gardening and was a railroad train and tractor enthusiast. Above all he was a family
man and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be missed by all
who knew and loved him and the music he created.
Surviving along with his wife, Marilyn are his 3 children: Thomas and his wife Judy, Anita and husband Michael
Patterson, Joseph and wife Ellen. Grandchildren, Christi and husband Zack Farr, Broc Groller and Alex Groller and
two Great Grandchildren. sister Dolores, wife of Dr. Edward Krupa and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by brother his William.
His viewing will be held Friday July 21, 2023, from 6-8pm at Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. 327 Chestnut St. Coplay
PA 18037. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am Saturday July 22, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi
R.C.C., 1046 W Cedar St, Allentown, PA 18102. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery in Coplay. Memorial
contributions may be made to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, PO Box 200989, Dallas, TX, 75320-0989 or to
the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601. Online condolences may be made to
the family at brubakerfuneralhome.com. Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to be handling the arrangements.
Published by the Morning Call, Jul 18-20, 2023
BG Picnic in Moschendorf: The 61st edition of the "Burgenland Community Abroad Meeting/Picnic"
was held in July at the Moschendorf Wine Museum.
The president of the BG, Edi Nicka, noted in his speech that the picnic has been maintaining people's ties to
Burgenland for decades and now includes fourth-generation descendants of original emigrants, who return to the
roots of their great-grandparents. Maintaining contact between Burgenland and Burgenländers all over the world was
also emphasized by guests of honor, including Verena Dunst, Walter Dujmovits and Moschendorf's mayor, Thomas Behm.
Peter Drauch, the president of the Burgenland Association in New York, talked about this year's 100th
anniversary of their association, their activities, and the associated challenges of recent years. Since 1972,
they have been electing an annual "Miss Burgenland New York" and presenting her at the picnic in
Moschendorf. This year, Felicia Borselio was chosen, and she attended with her mother Carol Hepp and stepfather
Daniel Hepp, whose ancestors emigrated from Krottendorf and Güssing.
 The
Facebook Bunch (from Vanessa Sandhu):
Greetings, Burgenland Bunch!
Summer is flying by! I hope that you are enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures! Our group has grown to
2056 members strong. Please join us if you haven’t done so already!
facebook.com/groups/TheBurgenlandBunchOFFICIAL
Member Tamia Ward shared some great photos of her visit to the Blaudruck Koo shop, and member
Ryan Strawn shared many nice historical photos of Strem.
Member Carol Hepp shared a link to a story about the 61st Annual Moschendorf picnic. Her
daughter Felicia was crowned Miss Burgenland New York 2023. Felicia’s great grandparents were from the
villages of Güssing and Krottendorf. Congratulations to Felicia and her proud Mama, Carol!
bkftv.at/picnic-mit-auslandsburgenlaendertreffen-im-weinmuseum-moschendorf/
Member Janet Kroboth Weber shared an article about the publication of the Weiner
Zeitung newspaper’s final print edition. The newspaper had been operating for more than 300 years. Janet also
shared a link to a video about the Blaudruck Koo indigo-dyeing workshop in Steinberg. It is in German, but
there are subtitles.
fb.watch/m3_HK6rD_J/?startTimeMs=1000&mibextid=2NXEJI
Member Franz Stangl shared some great photos and videos of Güssing’s Corpus Christi procession.
Member Karin Bruckner shared beautiful photos commemorating Riedlingsdorf’s 660th birthday.
Our wonderful member Martha Orlovits added many memorials to her album “Cemetery Strem.” If
you have family who came from Strem, be sure to check it out!
That’s all for now! Stay safe and healthy!
Vanessa
 Update
for book "The Burgenländer Emigration to America": Here is this month's update on purchases of the English
issue of the 3rd edition of Dr. Walter Dujmovits' book "Die Amerika-Wanderung Der Burgenländer."
Current total sales are 1724 copies, as an interested person purchased 4 book during these past two months.
As always, the book is available for online purchase at a list price of $8.89
(which is the current production charge for the book, as we purposely choose not to make a profit so we can
avoid dealing with the income tax consequences and so you can obtain the book at as low a cost as
possible!), plus tax & shipping. Unfortunately, the price above is somewhat higher than in previous months, as our
on-demand publisher, Lulu, recently raised is printing prices by 9.5%, meaning we must charge more. See the
BB homepage for a link to the information / ordering page and for information
about current discounts (there is at least one discount on price or shipping available most of the time... if not,
wait a few days and there will be one!).
The book is an excellent read for the Burgenländers in your family.
Burgenland Recipes: Steve Lamberty is sure this recipe is one his
maternal grandfather's family used to make and wanted to share it with us. Although this dish is mentioned in one
of our older newsletters (Newsletter
127), this month's entry has step-by-step photos and a video, along with different fruit options (plum
compote, apple sauce, and caramelized plum and cranberry sauce). The original recipe can be found on
Aleksandra's foodie website, Everyday Delicious, at
this
link.
Kaiserschmarrn is one of the most popular Austrian recipes. It is a large, thick pancake that is
torn into bite-sized pieces. It’s traditionally served with plum compote or apple sauce. This delicate and fluffy
shredded pancake is packed with rum-soaked raisins and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
KAISERSCHMARRN (AUSTRIAN TORN PANCAKE)
(suggested by Steve Lamberty)
Ingredients-main:
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup (240g) milk
- 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup + 3 tablespoons (150g) flour, spooned and leveled, not scooped
- 4 tablespoons butter
Ingredients-additional:
- 1/4 cup (35g) raisins
- 1 tablespoon rum or lemon juice
Preparation:
- In a small bowl, combine the raisins and rum (or lemon juice). Set aside while preparing the remaining
ingredients or 30 minutes if you have time.
- Melt the butter (4 tablespoons) in a large (10-11 inch or 27 cm) non-stick pan (you will need a
tight-fitting lid for this pan or a piece of aluminum foil). 2 tablespoons will be needed for the batter and 2
tablespoons will be needed to cook the pancake.
- Separate the eggs into egg yolks and egg whites. Put the egg whites into a clean metal/glass bowl and set
aside.
- In another large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks with milk, sugar, vanilla, 2 tablespoons melted butter
(the remaining butter stays in the pan) and drained raisins (without the rum/lemon juice).
- Add the flour, whisk gently until just combined (small lumps in the batter are fine).
- Whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
- Fold gently the whipped egg whites into the batter using a silicone spatula.
Cooking:
- Heat the butter in the pan until it bubbles then pour in the pancake batter.
- Cover the pan with a lid (important, if you don‘t have a lid, then cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil
or with a big sheet pan).
- Cook for about 10 minutes over low heat (the heat should be low but not so low that the pancake is barely
cooking – it will end up dense and greasy). After this time, the bottom of the pancake should be set and
golden, but the top will be still a little runny. (This time can vary depending on your stovetop settings, lift
the bottom of the pancake with a silicone spatula to check if the bottom is not burning).
- Now you need to flip the pancake over. The easiest way to do this is to divide the batter into 4 parts.
Flip over each piece separately using a large flat spatula. (If it doesn‘t look nice and even, don‘t worry, the
whole pancake will end up shredded anyway).
- Cook on the other side for about 2 minutes. Using a spatula, tear the pancake into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook them for a couple more minutes, stirring gently until all the batter is set.
- Transfer shredded pancake to a plate. You can sprinkle it with powdered sugar.
Notes:
- You can also add zest of 1 lemon to the batter.
- If you don't have a large non-stick pan with a tight-fitting lid, you can use any oven-safe pan that you
have and finish your pancake in the oven instead of on the stovetop.
- If you only have a small pan, not large, divide the batter into two parts and cook it in two batches or
cook the whole batch in the oven (see original recipe).
- You can serve Kaiserschmarrn with apple sauce, plum jam, plum compote, or caramelized plum and fresh
cranberry sauce. The recipes for plum compote and caramelized plum sauce can be found in the post above.
- How to measure flour: Fluff the flour by stirring it in the bag/flour container with a spoon. Spoon the
flour and sprinkle it into your measuring cup. Sweep off the excess flour with the back of a knife. Use a
digital scale for best and consistent results.
- 1 serving (1/3 of the recipe).
 Note:
Our recipes sortable list has links directly to the recipes or food-related articles
published in our past newsletters. You can access the list by clicking our recipe box (to the right). Thanks to
the contributions of our members over the years, we have quite a collection of Burgenland recipes, some with
several variations.
However, whenever we use up our unpublished recipes, this recipe section will become dormant. So, if you have a
favorite family recipe, please consider sharing it with us. We will be happy to publish it. Our older relatives,
sadly, aren't with us forever, so don't allow your favorite ethnic dish to be lost to future generations.
You can send your recipe to BB Recipes Editor,
Alan Varga.
Thanks!
Cartoon of the Month:
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3) HISTORICAL BB NEWSLETTER ARTICLES
Editor: This is part of our series designed to recycle interesting articles from the BB Newsletter of 10
years ago... and it is from 10 years ago (as it was a reprint then). However, it originated in NL 17 (August 15,
1997), so it is really from 26+ years ago!
This "historical articles" series is targeted mostly at new members, those who were not readers when the articles
were first published, but it also serves to refresh the knowledge of then-existing members, as they generally
contain information useful to all members. I hope you enjoy it.
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS No. 17
August 15, 1997
DONAU SCHWABIANS IN THE BURGENLAND
If you think your people may have been part of the Danube Schwabian migration, you will be interested in this
article extracted by Albert Schuch. Most Donau Schwaben migrated to the Banat of Yugoslavia, but some could
have ended up in the Burgenland, as explained below.
Summary of an article by Fritz Posch: "Schwabenzüge in die Steiermark", in: "Zeitschrift des
historischen Vereins für Steiermark", 1952, pp. 98-112.
In 1706, Count Franz Karl Kottulinsky married Baroness Maria Antonia Rottal and thus acquired the Styrian domains
Neudau and Untermayerhofen, both situated at the Hungarian border (10 kms northwest of Stegersbach). Most villages
of these two domains were looted and torched by the "Kurruzen" in 1704, 1707 and 1708. The loss of population was
not that heavy, for most people were able to hide in the woods. Since this was the time of the first large-scale
German colonization of Hungary (usually in areas to the east and southeast of Burgenland), Count Kottulinsky
made—probably by chance—contact with a group of emigrants, mostly "Schwaben" from the Bodensee-area, in early Sep
1712. He met them in Vienna on their way to Hungary (they were traveling on the river Danube).
It can be assumed that they had already signed contracts with a domain owner in Hungary. Nonetheless Count K.
managed to persuade 12 families (63 persons) to settle in his Styrian domains. On foot, they marched from Vienna
(11 Sep) to Neudau (16 Sep). They all came from the Bodensee-area and they carried documents and passports showing
that they were heading for Hungary. These documents were made out between 13 Jul and 12 Aug. Martin Scherer, from
St. Peter in the Schwarzwald, described his journey: He had marched 20 miles to the city of Ulm, where they had
boarded the ships that carried them 180 miles down the river Danube, for which they were charged 5 Gulden
and 4 Kreutzer per person. [Editor note: The distance on the Danube from Ulm to Vienna (where
Count Kottulinsky is said to have met the Schwaben) is over 400 miles, so something is inconsistent in this
report.]
Most of these people left soon for Hungary, but some did stay, including the Martin Scherer mentioned above. He
traveled to his home village in Dec 1712 and successfully persuaded others to come to Neudau too. By the end of
April 1713, a group of emigrants left for Neudau, which they reached on 22 May.
In June 1713, Martin Scherer left for his homeland for the second time. He left the Schwarzwald with new
emigrants. They traveled via Passau (9 Aug), Gmunden (14 Aug), Bad Ischl (15 Aug), Aussee (16 Aug), Rottenmann (20
Aug), Leoben (22 Aug), Weizberg (26 Aug). On Aug 29 the 10 families (59 persons) arrived in Neudau.
The emigrants are described as decent and honest people who left their homes because of high taxes and inflation
(caused by war), also because of overpopulation. In 1713, at least 24 families arrived in Neudau. But they did not
find the "promised land" and so, by the spring of 1714, some of them had already left again. Finally, only 12
families stayed. The settlers remained in touch with their homeland (visits, letters).
In 1717, a group of the "Schwaben" left, all the remaining did so overnight in 1723. It is supposed that they went
further into Hungary, were they were expecting better conditions.
A settlement of some of these "Schwaben" in southern Burgenland must be considered possible for geographical
reasons (though I think it is more likely they went further to the southeast.
I add all the family names mentioned. Details (age, origin) can be provided from the article [rearranged
alphabetically]: Andres, Brechter, Dilger (Dillinger), Dolt, Drescher, Erner, Fallenthor, Fehrnbach, Fuchs,
Gerer, Grabher, Häbding, Helbok, Heutz, Holtzmann, Hug, Krotz, Kuenle, Leibinger, Löffler, Lökhert, Lorinser,
Lutzenberger, Mercklin, Messmer, Nagel, Paumann, Pfaff, Pfündler, Reichart, Relly (Rely, Reily), Riether, Rohrer,
Rusch, Sandholzer, Saumb, Scherer, Scherzinger, Schoblach, Schuller, Schwarz, Schwerer, Stiering, Teusch,
Waldvogel, Werthmüller.
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5) BURGENLAND EMIGRANT OBITUARIES
Alois Lebitsch
 Alois Lebitsch of Brewster,
New York, passed away Sunday May 14, 2023, in Danbury, Connecticut, at the age of 84.
He was born June 21,1938, in Heiligenbrunn, Austria, son of the late Franz and Maria (Loder) Lebitsch.
Alois emigrated to the United States in 1961 and met the love of his life Loretta Konrad and they were married on
June 27, 1964 in Manhattan, NY at the Our Lady of Peace.
After living in New York City, Alois and Loretta moved to Brewster, NY in 1969. He became not only a member but an
usher for Saturday Masses at St. Lawrence O'Toole church. He spent the majority of his career as a Carpenter for
the Federal Bureau of Investigation retiring after 26 years in 2001. Alois was involved with the Lake Tonetta
Heights Community Association where he was on the Board of Directors and then the President for many years. He
enjoyed watching his kids play sports, especially soccer and even became a coach and referee for the Brewster
United Soccer Association. He was also a founding member of his home town soccer club in Heiligenbrunn. In his
spare time, Alois enjoyed long walks, his vegetable garden and was an avid New York Rangers fan.
Besides his wife Loretta, he is survived by his four children, Karl Lebitsch and his wife Gina of Brewster, NY,
Stephen and his wife Kathleen Lebitsch of Hopewell Junction, NY, Loretta and her husband James Woerner of Arden,
NC, Joseph and his wife Lynn Lebitsch of Moorpark, CA. Also survived by four siblings, Josef Lebitsch of East
Rockaway NY, Mina Garger, Johanna Jandrisevits, and Johann Lebitsch of Austria. He was blessed with ten
grandchildren, Marisa, Gabriella, Samantha, Ryan, Chelsea, Stephen, Brendan, Bryan, Marcus and Katelyn.
Alois is predeceased by four siblings Robert, Markus, Stefanie and Franz.
Visitation will be at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster, NY on Wednesday May 17, 2023, from 4:00pm to
8:00pm. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated for the life of Alois Lebitsch at St. Lawrence O'Toole
Church in Brewster on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to
Alzheimer's Association. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alois, please visit our floral
store.
Published by Beecher Funeral Home - Brewster on Jun. 1, 2023
Erika Pani (née Jandrisevits)
On Sunday, June 11, 2023,
Erika Pani died at her home in Highland, New York. She was 90 years old.
She is survived by her daughters, Maria and Christa, and her brother Walter. She was preceded in death by her
husband Franz “Frank”, her daughter Hedi, her father Emmerich, mother Hedwig, brother Emmerich, and two twin
brothers who died in infancy.
Erika, the oldest of the Jandrisevits siblings, was born on November 9, 1932 in the small village of Kroatisch
Tschantschendorf, Burgenland, Austria. She married Frank in 1955. Erika, Frank, and their two young daughters
emigrated to America, arriving in New York in January 1959 where they welcomed their youngest daughter, a few
weeks later. Working together, the two built a wonderful life for themselves and their family, despite their very
humble beginnings.
Erika worked for many years of her life, starting at the age of 14 shortly after the death of her mother. Her
father had died a couple of years earlier, a casualty of World War II. She retired just before turning 60 from her
last place of employment, The New York Times Company. She worked there in the publisher’s dining room, providing
service to the then publisher of the New York Times and his guests, which over the years included many dignitaries
and several presidential candidates. She enjoyed traveling and went on many trips, both alone with her husband,
Frank, and several with friends. They especially enjoyed their trip to Hawaii and their numerous vacations to
various islands of the Caribbean. Erika especially loved playing the slot machines at the casinos. Erika was kind,
generous, and good. She was the best wife and mother. Always there with a helping hand for her family and her
friends. Everyone loved and liked her. There was always a lot of laughter. She will be sorely missed by all.
The family will receive friends at the Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home, located at 162 South Putt Corners Rd, in New
Paltz, New York on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 from 1 to 5 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, 10:00
AM. Interment will follow in the Cemetery of the Holy Rood, located on Old Country Road in Westbury, Nassau
County, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations:
Hudson Valley Hospice: https://www.hvhospice.org/donate-now/
American Parkinson Foundation: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/donate
Michael J. Fox Foundation: https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout
Published at https://www.copelandhammerl.com/obituaries/Erika-Pani?obId=28142643#/obituaryInfo
Maria Skorupa (née Hahn)
Maria Skorupa, 84, of Grand
Island, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
Maria was born in Sopronbánfalva (Wandorf), Hungary, on February 16, 1939, to Thomas and Maria (Süss) Hahn.
She married Cyril "Charlie" A. Skorupa on April 10, 1964, in Ludwigsburg, Germany, where Cyril was stationed while
in the service. Upon Cyril's discharge, she followed him to the United States and they had a convalidation
marriage ceremony at St. Mary's in Grand Island. They made Grand Island their home.
Maria worked several places over the years, including St. Francis, the Ordinance Plant and several years as a
personal housekeeper. She was an avid antiquary, buying and selling antiques and attending garage sales. Maria
also loved the casino and betting the horse races.
Those who cherish her memory include her husband, Charlie; a brother, Ernst Hahn; sister-in-law, Janet
Woitalewicz; five nieces, Sue (Jim) Rademacher, Cindy (Allan) Layman, Sandi (John) Mudloff, Chris (Neal) Dethlefs,
and Jeri McDonald; and many great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Thomas Hahn (was MIA in Germany during the war); brother, Karl
Hahn; and sister, Annie Heichele.
Service and celebration of Maria's life will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Father Dave
Rykwalder will officiate. Burial will follow at Grand Island City Cemetery. There is a visitation for family and
friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, followed by a Rosary at 6:00. Memorials are suggested to the
family to be designated at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.
Published by The Grand Island Independent on Jun. 17, 2023
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