Unexpected donation shocks local groups

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Bob Burgess, director of the Brown County Historical Society Museum, was surprised to find a check for $166,666 sitting on his desk one day at work.

So too was Dr. Luther Heller, the superintendent of Springfield's public schools, who was attending a meeting in the Twin Cities when his portion was handed to him by his secretary.

Like a few others in Brown County, Burgess and Heller recently received what they believe are the largest financial donations they have every received, courtesy of a woman that few people knew.

The donations, which were made to the Brown County Historical Society, Springfield Public Schools, St. John's Lutheran Home and United Methodist Church of Springfield, are a part of the will of one Bessie Vecans Church of Lombard, Ill.

Church's estate is worth a total of $2 million and payments totalling $333,000 will come to those local organizations as well as two groups in Illinois through Church's will.

According to historical records, Church's parents first homesteaded in Brown County on a plot of land just south of Reed Lake in Bashaw Township in 1894.

Church was born in October of 1905 and graduated from school in 1924. After she finished her studies at the University of Chicago, Bessie Vecans went to work there. She sold the family farm in 1967. She died on April 19, 2003 in Lombard, Ill. Her husband, Howard, died many years before here. They did not have any children.

Burgess, who has been the Brown County Historical Society's director for 14 years, said it's the largest monetary gift he's ever seen. BCHS librarian Darla Gebhardt said Church was a lifetime member of the historical society who had made donations before in the form of memorials and contributions to the society's capital campaign.

"This is by far the largest gift we've ever received," Gebhardt said. "In the last 25 years I can't remember a donation this large."

Heller said he wasn't acquainted with Church but said his understanding of the situation is that Church wanted to give back to the community where she grew up.

"I was very surprised," Heller said. "I found out about it after it arrived and my secretary brought it in. I have never received a gift of that size before. It is a special thing to leave that to organization in our community."

"When I learned about it, I just felt very blessed," said St. John Lutheran Home Administrator Mary Kruger. "This will allow us to continue as a non-profit organization to take care of seniors."

Kruger said Church's father was once a resident at the home. She said the donation was one of the most significant contributions the home has received in her 22 years there.

Burgess said the fate of Church's donation will be decided by a recommendation from the society's finance committee and a vote from its board of directors. He said the society has some concerns about the condition of its main building on Center Street and Broadway. He said recent estimates show that its parking lot is beyond repair and many of the windows on the former post office need to be replaced. He said the money could also fund expanded hours at the museum, new signs and historical publications.

Heller said Church's contribution has been placed in a trust fund. He said the school district doesn't have any specific plans for the money but would like to find a way to use it so that it helps Springfield students while leaving a lasting legacy to Church.

Kruger also said she has no immediate plans for the donation, which was placed in the St. John's Foundation and will be used as needs arise.