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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Willmar, Minnesota Daughters of American Revolution chapter turns 100
May 28---- The is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Daughters of the American Revolution is a women's service organization that focuses on work in local communities to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism, according to There are 175,000 members in 3,000 chapters located across the country and around the world. There are 21 chapters in Minnesota. Any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution can join. "It can be a military person, or it actually could be community or public service," Willmar Chapter DAR Regent Stephanie Sjoberg told the West Central Tribune during an interview. "If if they gave supplies to the troops, and they're on a supply list, that would also be accepted. Or if they actually did protection for their town, or a surveyor of roads — that was all community service, so it would be considered public service, too." A reception for the Willmar chapter's 100th is planned from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, 610 Highway 71 N.E. in Willmar, with a program taking place at 2:15 p.m. Reservations are requested, but not required, via email or phone at or 320-894-3653, respectively. The first organizational meeting of the Willmar Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution took place Feb. 17, 1925, at the Willmar Public Library under the guidance of Organizing Regent Myrtle Lund Diffendorf, according to an October 1975 article in the "Daughters of the American Revolution" magazine. Charter membership was open for several months after that first meeting. Along with Diffendorf, other charter members included Lillian Cutter Benson, Alice Brown Branton, Madge G. Hahn, Dorrie Brown Handy, Helen E. Jenness, Josephine Fancher Jenness, Louise Branham Rodange, Jennie Brown Sherwood, Winifred Sherwood, Ethel M. Smith. Lila M. Spencer, Alice Thompson, Abbie Paddock and Edith Emery, according to an article celebrating the centennial of its founding in the Oct. 17, 1990, edition of the West Central Tribune. Cutter Benson was the longest-lived founding member of the Willmar chapter, dying in 2008 at the age of 107, according to Sjoberg. She is buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. Sjoberg made sure that her Find A Grave website memorial was updated with her full obituary and noted that she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is listed as "Lilyan Martha 'Lillian' Cutter Benson" on the website. "That was kind of fun, just to actually update it so people, when they come across it, they would know right away that she was a DAR member," Sjoberg said. " ... Her nieces actually wrote a very nice obituary honoring the DAR chapter here." There are currently 25 members in the Willmar Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, ranging in age from 28 to 92. The chapter meets on the second Saturday of each month, but takes the winters off due to the number of members who are "snowbirds" and go south. Sjoberg explained that the chapter has a registrar who can assist with genealogy research for those interested in determining if they are a direct descendant of an American revolutionary, in order to become a member. Sjoberg also helps with the genealogy research as an assistant registrar. Potential members are asked for their birth certificates and those of their parents. Ideally, they can also provide birth certificates for their grandparents, but an obituary is also sufficient if the grandparents have died. Sjoberg did not know that she would qualify for membership until she had retired and started researching her own genealogy. She found out she was a direct descendant of a patriot revolutionary on her mother's side of the family. Her mother also became a member. She had always assumed her ancestors had immigrated to the United States during the 1800s, but her mother's great-grandmother was a descendant of Frederick Countryman, who was born to parents who immigrated in 1710 from the Palatine region of Germany. She also found out that her father is a direct descendant of people who immigrated in the 1600s. In the last couple of years, Sjoberg assisted one family with their genealogy and the Willmar Chapter of the DAR gained five new members from that family. Daughters of the American Revolution is strictly a nonpolitical, nonprofit service organization, Sjoberg said. "We do patriotic things. We do educational things. We like to do commemorative events. We do a lot with the veterans," she said. She noted the local chapter really promotes education and does a lot with local libraries, especially honoring Constitution Week. The chapter sets up informational tables at local events and festivals a couple of times per year. Chapters receive awards if they have 600 or more volunteer service hours per year, according to Sjoberg, who noted that all 21 chapters in Minnesota met that goal last year. Each year the Willmar chapter sponsors an American history essay contest for fifth- through eighth-grade students and the DAR Good Citizens Award for high school seniors. Local winners of the essay contest go on to compete at the state level and winners at the state level compete at the division level. Winners of the division level earn a trip to Washington, D.C., for the award ceremony. The winner of the Good Citizens Award is a student who possesses the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. A scholarship is awarded. A service project in 2023 by the Willmar chapter and three other chapters provided a grave marker for Cecile D. Evans Taylor, who served as an Army Nurse Corps member during World War I at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, from September of 1918 to August of 1919. Evans Taylor died in 1999 at the age of 103 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Dover, Minnesota. An installation ceremony took place in September of 2023, with the American Legion erecting flags at the site and providing a firing squad. Through her research, Sjoberg knew that Evens Taylor was Scottish and she found a local bagpiper who played the national anthem at the ceremony. Retired from the U.S. Army, the bagpiper is married to the regent of the Rochester chapter. "That was kind of a fluke, too," Sjoberg said. " ... So, you know, if you have faith — it was like it was all really ordained from up above." Sjoberg explained how challenging it was to get a veteran's marker for Evans Taylor due to complications with obtaining her military records. The National Personnel Records Center could not find any records for her and a National Archives and Records Administration query revealed that the records were destroyed in a fire in 1973. Finally, the Military Women's Memorial was able to find a copy of her induction order and copies of her pay stubs, which were submitted to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for approval of a veteran's marker. "It was just really, really satisfying to have this whole group of people come together and do this for her," Sjoberg said.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV's family gravesites in Glenwood, Alsip receive virtual visitors
As Catholics and media professionals across the world flood the south suburbs to learn the man behind Robert Prevost, the cemeteries where Prevost's close relatives reside remained peaceful locations of remembrance Friday afternoon. The humble stones at Glenwood's 193-acre Assumption Cemetery marking where Mildred and Louis Maurius Prevost were laid to rest in 1990 and 1997, respectively, stood out only in their tidiness. Grass was carefully swept away from the cross sat above each name, with small groupings of delicately crafted wooden roses topping each grave. Equally well cared for about 20 miles away at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, was a similarly modest grave for John Prevost, Robert Prevost's grandfather who died in 1960. The Prevost's family legacy forever changed last week, when Robert, known as 'Bob' to many close to him, took the name Pope Leo XIV. The online obituaries on Mildred and Louis' Find A Grave pages were quickly edited to tie them to their son, the new Catholic leader. Dozens of virtual flowers have been added since Thursday's announcement of Prevost's selection as pope. While Assumption and Holy Sepulchre's offices didn't report large changes for in-person visits to the graves, a spokesperson for Catholic Cemetaries emphasized that taking photos or video of any graves is prohibited. Those looking to pay respects to Pope Leo XIV's family members in the south suburbs are asked not to disturb other mourners. Meanwhile, many aim to learn more about the Prevost family through archives and affiliations. Louis Prevost was of French and Italian descent and Mildred of Spanish descent. The couple's lives were grounded in religious faith, with Mildred being a librarian at schools such as St. Mary of the Assumption Grade School and Mendel High School. She also served as president of the Mendel Catholic High School Mothers Club. The mother of three sons, Louis Martín, John Joseph and Robert, with two sisters who became nuns, Mildred Prevost obtained a graduate degree from DePaul University's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences in February 1947 and a master's degree in education in 1949. According to an obituary featured on Find A Grave, Mildred and Louis moved to Dolton in the late 1940s. Louis Prevost, who is from Homewood, received a degree from Woodrow Wilson Junior College in June 1940, according to the Tribune archives, as well as a master of arts from DePaul University nine years later. Prevost served in World War II between college stints and later become superintendent of Bloom Township Elementary District 169 and Glenwood Elementary District 167, whose quaint district office is only a mile from where he and his wife were laid to rest. Louis Prevost's Find A Grave information includes a news clipping with a photo of Prevost shaking hands with a former president of the now closed Burnside Construction company after he received a deed to 6 acres for Glenwood schools. More recently posted were photos of him and his sons, pointing out the first American pope. Images of the actual gravestones were added in previous years. ostevens@
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Pope Leo XIV's family gravesites in Glenwood, Alsip receive virtual visitors
As Catholics and media professionals across the world flood the south suburbs to learn the man behind Robert Prevost, the cemeteries where Prevost's close relatives reside remained peaceful locations of remembrance Friday afternoon. The humble stones at Glenwood's 193-acre Assumption Cemetery marking where Mildred and Louis Maurius Prevost were laid to rest in 1990 and 1997, respectively, stood out only in their tidiness. Grass was carefully swept away from the cross sat above each name, with small groupings of delicately crafted wooden roses topping each grave. Equally well cared for about 20 miles away at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, was a similarly modest grave for John Prevost, Robert Prevost's grandfather who died in 1960. The Prevost's family legacy forever changed last week, when Robert, known as 'Bob' to many close to him, took the name Pope Leo XIV. The online obituaries on Mildred and Louis' Find A Grave pages were quickly edited to tie them to their son, the new Catholic leader. Dozens of virtual flowers have been added since Thursday's announcement of Prevost's selection as pope. While Assumption and Holy Sepulchre's offices didn't report large changes for in-person visits to the graves, a spokesperson for Catholic Cemetaries emphasized that taking photos or video of any graves is prohibited. Those looking to pay respects to Pope Leo XIV's family members in the south suburbs are asked not to disturb other mourners. Meanwhile, many aim to learn more about the Prevost family through archives and affiliations. Louis Prevost was of French and Italian descent and Mildred of Spanish descent. The couple's lives were grounded in religious faith, with Mildred being a librarian at schools such as St. Mary of the Assumption Grade School and Mendel High School. She also served as president of the Mendel Catholic High School Mothers Club. The mother of three sons, Louis Martín, John Joseph and Robert, with two sisters who became nuns, Mildred Prevost obtained a graduate degree from DePaul University's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences in February 1947 and a master's degree in education in 1949. According to an obituary featured on Find A Grave, Mildred and Louis moved to Dolton in the late 1940s. Louis Prevost, who is from Homewood, received a degree from Woodrow Wilson Junior College in June 1940, according to the Tribune archives, as well as a master of arts from DePaul University nine years later. Prevost served in World War II between college stints and later become superintendent of Bloom Township Elementary District 169 and Glenwood Elementary District 167, whose quaint district office is only a mile from where he and his wife were laid to rest. Louis Prevost's Find A Grave information includes a news clipping with a photo of Prevost shaking hands with a former president of the now closed Burnside Construction company after he received a deed to 6 acres for Glenwood schools. More recently posted were photos of him and his sons, pointing out the first American pope. Images of the actual gravestones were added in previous years.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana leaders react after Robert Prevost elected as first American pope
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana leaders celebrated the election of Robert Prevost, the first pope from the United States. The Chicago-born Prevost took the name Leo XIV. His first words from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica were 'Peace be with you.' He emphasized a message of peace, dialogue, and missionary evangelization while wearing the traditional red cape of the papacy. The newly elected Pope has ties to Louisiana. According to FindAGrave records, his maternal grandmother, Louise Baquie Martinez, was born in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 1868. She and his grandfather, Joseph Martinez, got married in New Orleans on Sept. 17, 1887. The couple moved to Chicago around 1911. What Pope Leo XIV's name choice may signal Gov. Jeff Landry congratulated Prevost in a post on X. 'This is a historic day. May his leadership be guided by faith, wisdom, and a deep commitment to the service of the Church,' Landry said. Attorney General Liz Murrill called Thursday 'a historic day' in a social media post. 'A historic day as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from the United States was elected as the 267th Pope. I join Catholics across Louisiana and the world in congratulating and praying for Pope Leo XIV,' Murrill wrote. Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X, 'Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV. May God bless the first American papacy in these historic days.' Sen. Bill Cassidy wrote, 'The influence of the Catholic Church is felt throughout the world. In modern times, it has included John Paul II's advocacy for the freedom of Eastern Europe from Soviet Russia and every pope's strong stand for life. We pray that Pope Leo XIV provides the same level of moral courage and clarity for the Catholic Church and beyond.' Congressman Troy Carter released a statement celebrating Prevost's election and his family's ties to New Orleans. Read his full statement below. 'As a Black man, a proud son of New Orleans, and a U.S. Congressman honored to represent Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District — which includes the very 7th Ward neighborhood where our newly selected Pope's family once lived — I am overwhelmed with joy and pride at this historic moment. 'For many years, I have had the privilege of serving and representing this vibrant, resilient community — a place rich with Creole heritage, deep faith, and a legacy of perseverance. As someone who grew up in the Catholic faith and graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black Catholic university in the world, I know firsthand the profound intersection of faith, identity, and culture that shapes our people. 'The news that the first American Pope has roots here in New Orleans, with ancestral ties to our Creole and Haitian families, is nothing short of extraordinary. It reminds the world that greatness rises from every corner — including communities that history has too often overlooked or underestimated. 'This moment is a testament not just to personal achievement, but to the enduring strength and global reach of New Orleans' diverse faith community. As we celebrate, I pray that the Holy Father leads with justice, compassion, and a commitment to uplifting the marginalized, reflecting the spirit of the people and places that shaped him. 'We rejoice as one — and we send our love, our prayers, and our pride from the 7th Ward to the Vatican.' The Associated Press contributed to this report. Conclave that elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as pope was short – but not the shortest ever Trump taps Jeanine Pirro for top DC prosecutor job These U.S. cities are slowly sinking: Virginia Tech study What We Learned: Geaux Nation recaps LSU baseball, looks ahead to LSU football season Patel appears to backtrack, says FBI will work 'on whatever budget' given Pope's brother answers burning local question: Chicago White Sox or Cubs fan? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
