125th Celebration German Band Celebrates 50th Anniversary – Okabena, MN

Since it was formed to help Okabena celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 1954, the "Little German Band" has been a public relations agent and a good-will ambassador for our town. June 5 and 6, 1954 were the first performances by the band. They played on a stage set up on main street one half-block south of the school. Original members and their instruments were: Willford Rossow, snare drum; Dib Johnson, bass drum; Kelly Gehrls‚ bass horn; Jack Doyle and Ray Ahrens, cornets; Ralph Hotzler and Bob Hotzler, clarinets; Lloyd Ruthenbeck, baritone; and Earle Nelson, Harold Hotzler and Warren Hotzler, trombones. Earle Nelson was the band's director from its inception until his death in 1991.

A 1949 Hudson was the first parade car the band used. With a front bumper that declared CELEBRATE THE 4TH AT OKABENA. The band played at numerous area parades to promote Okabena and its 4th of July celebration and to bring parade units from those towns to Okabena for the 4th. Parade goers throughout the area came to expect the car with the roof cut out and planks sticking through the windows to come rolling down the street playing polka music. The Hudson's last parade was July 4, 1967. The car went straight from the parade route to the city dump. It was replaced by a 1951 Nash, which is still carrying band members through parades after 36 years of service. In addition to playing local parades over the years, the band has performed at the National American Legion Convention twice, in 1975 and 1994 when it was held in Minneapolis. It also played at the state convention in Rochester in 1971. The band has also performed at the Sioux Falls Veterans Home and has been known to entertain at anniversaries and other local events.

There have been many changes in the band since its formation. Deceased members are Jack Doyle, Ralph Hotzler‚ Frank Seydel‚ Ray Ahrens‚ Kenny Gehrls, Earle Nelson, Harold Hotzler, Kelly Gehrls, Lloyd Ruthenbeck, Bob Hotzler and Warren Hotzler.

Drivers of the parade car and/or the car hauler have included Phil Harcey, Vern Rausenberger, Leo Wagner, Sue Eidhammer and Karen Eidhammer.

Other previous and current members include: Steve Hussong, trombone; Tom Hotzler, clarinet; Fred Benson and Steve Hotzler, baritones; Curt Eidhammer, Bob Lange, Sr., Bob Lange, Jr. and Kevin Nelson, cornets; Karen Eidhammer‚ bass drum; Gary Eidhammer, accordion; and LeRoy Peterson, bass horn.

With members hailing from as far away as Lake Crystal, the number of parades has been reduced from the heyday of the band. A typical summer schedule now has the old car with the roof cut out and the planks through the windows and its band of musicians playing in 7 or 8 parades per summer. While not nearly as ambitious as the original members parade schedule, the band is keeping alive what is now a 50-year tradition for Okabena.