Our Staff
We have the best docent volunteer team in the area! It’s because of our volunteers that we can be open seven days a week from 10am-4pm. We do have two paid staffers that can be found on site most days.
Gerard Fiehler serves as our Archivist/Historian. Gerard grew up in Altenburg and has spent his entire life in Altenburg. Gerard enjoyed years of business with his father, Robert Fiehler and his uncle as the owners of the Altenburg Garage. In retirement, Gerard became a staff person for the Museum and enjoys area history and area family history. Gerard enjoys his two sons and their families that include four granddaughters. Gerard can be found many days after work at “The River,” enjoying East Perry County nature!
Carla Fiehler Grebing and her husband, Kent, grew up in East Perry County and after 38 years of living “away,” they came “home” to retire in Altenburg. They have immersed themselves in the rich area culture and community. Carla comes to the museum with a strong business and organizational background after owning several businesses. The Grebings have two children and five grandchildren. They enjoy traveling and St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
YES! Gerard and Carla are siblings but quickly add that NO, they are NOT married! Both Gerard and Carla enjoy the ministry of preserving, interpreting and promoting the history of the German Lutheran Immigration and the area!
Our Executive Board
Warren Schmidt – Executive Board President
Warren Schmidt is a retired Lutheran School educator. He and his wife, Sandi chose Altenburg as their retirement location, and purchased an ancestral farm east of Altenburg, at the original site of the Log College Seminary. Warren enjoys gardening, spending time with grandchildren, woodworking, and leading group tours at the museum.
Lynn Degenhardt – Executive Board Vice-President
Lynn wears many hats on the Lutheran Heritage Team which include Research Library team, creator of “German Family Tree” family research database, building committee, and collections manager. Lynn is a retired Electrical Engineer and enjoys working on the family farm.
Carolyn Schmidt – Executive Board Secretary
Carolyn is a retired elementary school teacher and is a charter member of the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum Advisory Council. She helped design the new museum concept, exhibits, and was vital in restoring the cases and Wittenberg church pieces. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, gardening, and traveling with her husband, Ray.
Carol Wunderlich – Executive Board Treasurer
Carol works at the local Gas-A-Mat station and Café in Altenburg, which she formerly owned with her husband, Duane. Carol also serves a leadership role in our City Council. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Our Advisory Board
Kathy Berkbigler, Tucson, AZ David Fiedler, St. Louis, MO
Pat Borgman, Oconomowoc, WI Lori Boettcher Roth, Oak Ridge, MO
Dr. Stephanie Clemons, Loveland, CO Wayne Schuessler, St. Louis, MO
Carl Eisman, Jackson, MO Rev. Chris Singer, Spring, TX
Gene Weber, Maryland Heights, MO