Helen Gassel

July 10, 1930 – November 15, 2025

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear friend, Helen Gassel.  She passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025 at the age of 95 years old.  Helen was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Gassel (Ehrenvorstand).  She was the devoted mother of Pamela Gassel, Cathy Delbeke, and Chris Gassel, and a proud grandmother.

Helen has been an active Ehrenmitglied member of GTEV Edelweiss since 1972.  She held many committee positions over the years including:  GACC Vertreterin, Frauengruppe Präsidentin, Kindertanzgruppe Leiterin, Schuhplattler, and was always there to lend a helping hand.

Throughout the years Helen was also a member of the GACC and the Austrian Society. She held the German American of the Year award.

Her family is presently planning a private celebration of life ceremony.  We extend our deepest sympathy to her family.  Ruhe in Frieden.

Join your friends at Edelweiss for a wonderful program of music, followed by a delicious catered dinner (children under 12 are free). Santa always shows up, so if you're bringing a little one, sneak a gift in so Santa has a surprise for him or her. This day always sets a good mood for the upcoming holiday season.

Our annual memorial mass takes place on Sunday, Nov. 9. We'll be back at St. Michael, just across the street from the GACC Hall, where we were most warmly welcomed in 2024.  Afterwards -- luncheon at GACC Hall.  The mass starts at 2 pm.  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.  $10/person to cover cold cuts, bread, condiments, refreshments.  Pay when you arrive.  Please let Annette know you'll be there if you haven't already done so.  

All in the German/Austrian/Swiss community are welcome to attend, as are people from the community.  It's a lovely mass and an afternoon of friendship with fellow members.

2 pm:  St. Michael Catholic Community, 40501 Hayes, Sterling Heights.

About 3 pm: GACC Hall, 40450 Hayes, Clinton Township. In the Amore Plaza between 17 & 18 Mile Roads.

September has some good fun coming up.  

• Saturday, September 13, 11am-3pm.  St. Joseph Oktoberfest in Detroit, near Eastern Market.  Siasswasser will be playing.  Come out to hear the great music, eat some good food, and enjoy the day. Click on the event on the home page to see the flyer.
• Sunday, September 14, 1 pm.  Edelweiss Members and Friends Picnic at Jaycee Park (1755 East Long Lake) in Troy.  1 pm -- set up; 2 pm -- Short meeting; 3 pm -- Picnic.  Click on the event posting on the home page for more info. Admission is $10/person and includes Bratwurst and beverages.  Please bring a dish to share. We'll be in our usual place in the pavillion at the back of the park. If you haven't signed up yet, please call Sonya Bressett 248-762-5367 to let her know you're coming.
• Heimat Windsor's Oktoberfest weekends are September 25-27; October 3-4; October 10-11.  We'll talk more about how to support our Chiemgau Windsor friends' 10th annual Oktoberfest at the Sept. 14 Edelweiss meeting or talk to Eric Walker.

In January we elected our 2025 officers and in February we swore them in. Not too much has changed but we have a couple of new additions whom we are happy to welcome.  The new 3-year Trustee is Lori Carpentier. Lori is going to be a good addition to the board. She is taking over the position long held by Anni Porter, whom we will miss greatly. Anni did a wonderful job as trustee for many years but chose not to run again. She also held the position of 2.Vortänzerin for a long time and did an equally good job there.  We'll miss you on the board, Anni, but we look forward to seeing you as often as possible at the club.  Our second newcomer to the board is Barry Lamerand as Fahnenträger. He brings enthusiasm, strong shoulders, and good humor to the job, which is a great combination. Welcome to Lori and Barry!

The picture below is of our officers for 2025. To see the picture of our dance officers, click on the "Dance" tab from the home page.  The list of all officers is at THIS LINK.

Here are newly elected officers Barry Lamerand and Lori Carpentier.