LeCenter lunchin'

Lunchin' in Le Center


Between the 11 dozen deviled eggs Ellen Erkel whipped up and the 12 dozen cookies Doris Tiede baked, there were scads more volunteers participating at the salad/hot dish luncheon at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in LeCenter this past Thursday, May 3.

Ellen Erkel and Cheyl Bulver
co-chair the spring event

Another delicious and stupendous event was pulled off, finishing off the 26th year of the spring event. "We didn't have as many as we have in the past, it's been down at all the area luncheons we've found out," said Doris. "Maybe it's the economy, I don't know." Those diners on hand enjoyed 35 different salads or hot dishes on a cool, rainy day. Over 280 people indulged either at the church basement or ordered take out - one of the larger delivery services in the area, taking out 80 this year but as many as 150 in the past.


There are five men from the congregation that delivered the meals locally, enthusiastically waiting for a list of customers to deliver to. "We make sure the meals are good by sampling en route," chuckled one of the drivers. All in all, their efforts are one reason why the faithful followers of LeCenter's 127 year-old church has run not only this successful event, but their fall Election Day Supper in the fall - which has been going on over 70 years. The fall event has over 500 takeouts and serves 1,000.


Ellen has been co-chair with Cheryl Bulver for the past few years. "I was an educator, retired and traveled a bit, and then started helping out here," Ellen said of the luncheon, now her sixth year. They put in seven hours Wednesday morning preparing the main turkey hot dish and preparing the basement for the dinner, and more time prior to the event. The tables lighten up the atmosphere with their peony centerpieces and lavender tablecloths. Other women of the congregation  filtered in to help not only at the church but in their own kitchen preparing food. "We don't have circles anymore, so the women just volunteer to help out," added Doris. A few women call women of the congregation soliciting their tasty salad or dessert recipes. Close to 25 people volunteer the day of the event, allowing it to run without a hitch.

While one part of the kitchen was busy for the basement diners, the adjoining room had eight people scooping up takeout orders. "I've been doing this most of my life," chortled Courtney Kukucka, Doris' granddaughter. "I just grew up helping out and still enjoy it." She's part of the take-out crew.


Doris' strong German heritage and cooking skills provides a huge cooker full of German potato salad. At 75, she is proud of the church women's commitment to raising money for the variety of church activities the money goes toward. "I'll be doing it until my health forces me not too, but for now, I enjoy getting together and seeing people. We (her husband and her) used to know just about everyone in town years ago, but now, new people and our less involvement with kids, you just don't get to know that many outside church. And I think lots of congregations are slowly losing members, young people just aren't going to church as much." Although other area churches decided to increase their prices to $7 for adults, St. Paul's kept their's at $6 this year. That could change if numbers continue to slowly decline.


Like most church social events, the money could go to building repairs, Bible camp stipends for youth, mission work. As most budgets, it takes a lot longer to raise the money than spend it!


It's a calculated guessing game at how many will attend each year, but the co-chairs plan on about 300. Any leftovers are dished up into containers and taken to the local retirement facility to be used as they wish. There usually isn't that many. Even Pastor David Aakers ate with the crowd and then dug in washing dishes in the kitchen.

Take-out dinners comprise of
about 40 percent of the meals
served on the day.

By 11:40 a.m. there were 72 people seated with a line forming. It may have been stormy outside, but inside there were throngs of smiling, satisfied diners inside. Among them was a group of four sister-in-laws who sat with me, shared laughter and stories and told they make this an event each year. The four widows filled their tummies then were setting out to play some hand and foot (a card game). Over toward the front table was a local law enforcement officer, taking lunch hour amongst the patrons.

St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church
is 127 years young.

"It's something we do for the church and each other," Doris said. Ellen added, "I've learned a lot and met new people doing this. Hopefully, it will continue for many years to come."


Doris' German Potato Salad (made for a crowd)
10 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cooked enough to slice up
2-3 lbs. bacon (keep grease)
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup onion
1/3 cup bacon grease
                                                        1/3 cup corn starch


Cook bacon and onions in grease until tender. Add water, vinegar, sugar and thicken with corn starch. Pour dressing over sliced potatoes and bake for about an hour at 350 degrees.


Thanks Doris for the recipe (one she got from her sister).


Upcoming Events:
May 12, Ev. United Methodist Church, Waterville, Spring Luncheon/Bake Sale (11-1)
May 18, Lands Lutheran Church, Zumbrota - Lutefisk/Meatball Supper (4-7)
June 12, Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie - Strawberry Festival (4-7)
June 24, Moland Church, rural Kenyon - Strawberry Festival (11-5)