DAMON AND REBECCA FECHT MARRY IN CALIFORNIA

These are candid photographs taken of the wedding of Damon and Rebecca Fecht on July 3, 2011 at Orcutt Ranch in Chatsworth, California. Our lifelong friend Linda Moore captured these images.

 Rebecca and Damon share their wedding kiss, while Jake closes his eyes over such mushy stuff. Behind Jake is best man Ryan Bates.

 The newest Fecht family is introduced to guests under a great English oak tree.

 Rebecca and Damon share their wedding dance on the patio of historic Orcutt Ranch.

 The new Fecht family leaves the wedding ceremony.

Janne Fecht enjoys getting her son Damon to smile on his wedding day. Behind them Dave Tulk dances with his daughter Rebecca.

JAMES L. FECHT PURSUES THE AMERICAN DREAM 1949

Most veterans, returning home at the conclusion of WWII, were determined to make the American dream a reality. Thousands of homes were built in the San Fernando Valley, and many young vets, like Joe Hosler and Jim Fecht started their own businesses. Jim and Joe bought a pickup truck, acquired electrical contractors' licenses, and opened up shop. These images were among the effects donated to The Museum by James Fecht just before his death. (click on images to enlarge)

 Photo 2722 - Pickup truck belonging to James Fecht and Joseph Hosler - 1949

 Photo 2721 - left Joe Hosler, right James Fecht with their new truck.  1949 - North Hollywood, gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Jim Fecht 2009.

Photo 2723 - James Fecht in North Hollywood, California in 1949. The location was on Elmer Avenue, an area removed for the construction of the 101 freeway. Jim was a World War II Marine.

THE LOSS OF DOROTHY FECHT FETTERHOFF

Dorothy Fetterhoff
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Dorothy Eileen Fetterhoff, 89, of Jackson and formerly a well-known business owner of Fetterhoff True Value Hardware in Marble Hill, Mo., died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

She was born Aug. 4, 1921, in Mexico, Mo., the daughter of William Thomas and Mildred Irene Crites Fecht.

She attended 12 years of school at St. Brendan's School in Mexico, graduating as class valedictorian in 1939. She worked as the society editor and reporter for the Mexico newspapers.

She and Elmer Clyde Fetterhoff were married June 30, 1940, at St. Brendan Church in Mexico. After 60 years of marriage, Elmer preceded Dorothy in death July 6, 2000.

Dorothy and Elmer and their family came to Lutesville, Mo., in 1950 where they owned and operated Fetterhoff's Western Auto Store, later changing to Fetterhoff's Furniture and True Value Hardware. After 27 years they retired and sold the business to their oldest son, Bill, and his wife, Carol.

Dorothy was active in civic, business and school affairs. She was instrumental in organizing the Marble Hill-Lutesville Business Club and served a number of times as president. She was a member of St. John Catholic Church at Leopold, where for 25 years she co-chaired the Olde Gifte Shop at the annual church picnic. She was a past president of the Junior Woman's Club, and received the Woman of the Year Award, along with a club recognition of the Shell Award for their successful effort to establish a medical doctor in the community. She attended Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson following her move to Jackson.

She is survived by four children, William G. (Carol) Fetterhoff and Anita E. (Bill) Fahrenkrog, both of Jackson, Thomas W. Fetterhoff of Enterprise, Fla., and Carl E. Fetterhoff of Springfield, Mo.; eight grandchildren, K. Scott Fetterhoff, Tamara Davault, both of Marble Hill, Cynthia Hayes of Lincoln, Neb., Mary Catherine Hoffman of Perryville, Mo., Elizabeth Anne Fetterhoff of Deland, Fla., Cheryl Hubbard of Enterprise, Monica Warner of Bristol, Fla., and Michael Fetterhoff of Seffer, Fla.; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Genevieve Rebbe of Everett, Wa.; and two brothers, Dr. Gerald Fecht of Tarzana, Calif., and Robert W. Fecht of Clermont, Fla.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2010, at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill.

Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

A funeral Mass will be at St. John Catholic Church at Leopold at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept 9, with Father John Harth officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mystery Island

Ok, where was this photograph taken? Dominica? Costa Rica? Nope, from Janne and Jerry Fecht's patio in Tarzana, California. El Nino has arrived and so did this surprise waterfall.

MILDRED AND MARY CRTIES AS CHILDREN

Photo in the collection of Gerald Fecht (click on image to enlarge)
This photograph was probably taken in Live Oak, California when Aunt Mary Crites Richards was in the first grade. She is the 7th child (left to right) in the second row. Aunt Mary had polio when she was very little and was never strong thereafter. This class picture may have been taken after that event. These kids are dressed warmer than the other Live Oak School photo on this blog, so the picture may have been taken in Minot, North Dakota.
I used to know which of the children was my mother Mildred, but I've forgotten. I will ask my sister Genevieve to look at this photo and see if she can fill us in. Stay tuned!

JAMES FECHT AND MICHAEL FETTERHOFF

Jim Fecht was very proud of his grand-nephew Thomas Fetterhoff, who visited him during his time in California as a United States Marine. Jimmy was interested in all things Marine, and was fascinated with how his beloved Corps had changed since his service during the Second World War. Jim died this last year and we had a government bronze plaque put over his grave.

James Fecht was the g-great grandson of Mary Ann (Secrist) and Josiah Crites, the grandson of Leona Belle (Weaver) and John Franklin Crites, and son of Mildred (Crites) and William T. Fecht. He was the great grandson of Elizabeth Ann (Paugh) and John S. Weaver of Oswego, Indiana.

Michael Fetterhoff is the g- g-g-great grandson of Mary Ann (Secrist) and Josiah Crites, the g-g- grandson of Leona Belle (Weaver) and John Franklin Crites, great grandson son of Mildred (Crites) and William T. Fecht, grandson of Dorothy and Elmer Fetterhoff. He was the g-g-g- grandson of Elizabeth Ann (Paugh) and John S. Weaver of Oswego, Indiana.
In 2010 Michael Fetterhoff is living in Florida.

SHILO AND CALVIN DONER

Wedding of Shilo and Calvin Doner.
Shilo is our kinswoman through this lineage:
John Crites, Josiah and Mary Ann Secrist Crites, John Frankling and Leona Weaver Crites, Mildred Crites Fecht, Robert Fecht, Ronald O. Fecht and Shilo Doner