Men of Family, Men of God by James Bernsen
The Hoelscher – Buxkemper family recently lost three members who were all exceptional for their devotion to the family and to God: Bishop Leroy Matthiesen, Monsignor Monroe John Matthiesen and Father James Edward Hoelscher.
Bishop Matthiesen was born June 11, 1921, in Olfen, Texas, a rural community in Central West Texas named after the town from which the Hoelscher – Buxkemper family came in Germany. He was ordained to the priesthood at Pontifical College Josephinnum in Worthington, Ohio on March 10, 1946. He went back to school and got a journalism degree in 1948 and became the editor of the Texas panhandle Edition of the Register System of Catholic Newspapers (now the West Texas Catholic). His column, “Wise and Otherwise” ran in the paper from 1952 to 1998. He continued his education, receiving a Master’s degree in secondary school administration and then a doctorate. He served as principal at Alamo Catholic High School in Amarillo and pastor of St. Francis Parish outside of Amarillo. On May 30, 1980, he was ordained Bishop of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen was an outspoken supporter of world peace, nonviolence and disarmament. He retired as Bishop of Amarillo in 1997.
Monsignor Monroe John Matthiesen, Leroy Matthiesen’s older brother, was born Sept. 28, 1916. He was ordained into the priesthood, also in Amarillo, in 1943, and served at Sacred Heart Cathedral. He taught religion and coached girls basketball at St Mary’s Academy. He served in a number of other West Texas Parishes before retiring as pastor of St Theresa’s Parish in 1991.
Father James Edward Hoelscher was born on November 29, 1934 in Poth, Texas to Adolph Theophil and Aurelia Mary “Leah” (Laake) Hoelscher. In 1958, he was ordained as an archdiocesan priest for San Antonio. Father Hoelscher was an avid reader of catholic history, but also of mystery novels, and would weave both into his sermons.
Hoelscher – Buxkemper Family Members Excel in Ironman Competitions by Linda Binns
Members of the Hoelscher – Buxkemper family have been participating in several Ironman races in Texas. Harris Hoelscher of Missouri City and Daniel Baumbach of Houston, TX both raced in the CBI triathlon in the Woodlands. — a sprint triathlon which involves a 500 meter open water swim, a 15 mile bike, and 3 mile run. Harris Hoelscher, aged 70, won 1st place in his age group. Harris has done this race for the last 5 years and had 2nd and 3rd place finishes each time with 2011 being his first 1st place age group finish.
Ironman 70.3 Texas (held in Galveston). this triathlon involves a 1.2 mile open water swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. Jennie Hoelscher finished the race in 6 hr 9 min 34 sec. Daniel Baumbach finished in 5 hr 41 min 53 sec.
Jennie has also competed in the Ironman Texas. This is the full Ironman tri held in The Woodlands on May 21, 2011. This a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. She completed the race in 14 hr 9 min 40 sec.