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About the club

Our club has a rich history spanning over 3 decades

Read below to learn more about our history

The Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids was founded in December 1980 by ten enthusiastic people:

  • Theresa and Jack Arnold
  • Hildegard Diana-Herr
  • Martin F. Kroepsch
  • Maria A. Miller
  • Barbara and Erwin Rosenberg
  • Lydia and Dan Spidell
  • Beanca Zwarensteyn

These German-Americans believed that a progressive, family-oriented club would be a welcome addition to the
Greater Grand Rapids area. Since those chilly December days, club membership has grown to over 160. The club
started to operate formally as a business in February 1981.

Past Presidents:

  • Dan Spidell Dec 1980 – Nov 1982
  • Martin Kroepsch Dec 1982 – Mar 1983
  • Ron Vander Till Mar 1983 – Mar 1987
  • Bernie Siehling Mar 1987 – Mar 1991
  • Theresa Arnold Mar 1991 – Mar 1995
  • Bernie Siehling Mar 1995 – Mar 1997
  • Maria Miller Mar 1997 – Jun 1998
  • Ron Vander Till Jun 1998 – Mar 1999
  • Terry VanderLaan Mar 1999 – Mar 2003
  • Bernie Kleinselbeck Mar 2003 – Apr 2005
  • Ron Vander Till Apr 2005 – Apr 2007
  • Barbara Koning Apr 2007 – Apr 2010
  • Johanna Dean Apr 2010 – Apr 2011
  • Eilleen Wigen Apr 2011 – Apr 2013
  • Brian Vilmont Apr 2013 – Apr 2017
  • Kevin NeitzertĀ Apr 2017 – Apr 2021
  • Herbert Fitzon Apr 2021 – present