The Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools Leadership
A group of volunteers with deep ties to the schools, the land, and the communities they serve leads The Friends. Many are former students, teachers, or longtime supporters committed to preserving these historic places for future generations.
Together, they guide the organization’s efforts—from stewardship and events to outreach and education—ensuring that each school continues to tell its story.
🏛️ Leadership & Organization
Current Officers
| President | Jo Jenschke | 830-997-2763 | (Nebgen School) | |
| Vice President | Marjorie Otte | 830-644-2655 | (Wrede School) | |
| Treasurer | Patsy Grote Hauptrief | 830-685-3078 | 903-819-2546 | (Willow City School) |
| Secretary | Frances Pressler Heimann | 830-685-3321 | 830-992-9902 | (Willow City School) |
County Representative
| Commissioner | Don Weinheimer | 830-997-7503 | 830-307-6096 |
Advisory Board
| McKenzie Moellering | Pioneer Museum |
Much of the Friends’ work is carried forward through committees whose volunteers help preserve the schools, organize events, and share their history with the community.
Committee Leadership & Members
| Administrative | Lower South Grape Creek School | Darlene Stehle |
| Pecan Creek School | Jenny Voigt (Historian) | |
| Rheingold School | Carol Birmingham | |
| Willow City School | Frances Heimann (Secretary) | |
| Archives & Artifacts | Willow City School | Raynell Wilke |
| Wrede School | Marjorie Otte (Vice-President) | |
| Events | Cherry Spring School | Nancy Lind |
| Meusebach Creek School | Leola Mills | |
| Meusebach School | Darlene Lochte | |
| Nebgen School | Jo Jenschke (President/Chair) | |
| Willow City School | Mable Wilke | |
| Willow City School | Raynell Wilke | |
| Finance | Meusebach Creek School | Darlene Lochte |
| Rheingold School | Carol Birmingham | |
| Willow City School | Patsy Hauptrief (Treasurer) | |
| Wrede School | Ken Otte | |
| Grants | Cave Creek School | Jim Lindley (Director at Large/Chair) |
| Cherry Spring School | Nancy Lind | |
| Wrede School | Marjorie Otte (Vice-President) | |
| Doris Spraggins (At Large) | ||
| Nominating | 2027 | Cherry Spring School, Meusebach Creek School, Williams Creek School |
| 2028 | Cave Creek School, Luckenbach School, Rheingold School | |
| 2029 | Lower South Grape Creek School, Pecan Creek School, Wrede School | |
| 2030 | Crabapple School, Nebgen School, Willow City School | |
| Oral History | Cave Creek School | Jim Lindley (Director at Large, Chair) |
| Cherry Spring School | Nancy Lind | |
| Nebgen School | Jo Jenschke (President) | |
| Wrede School | Ken Otte | |
| Publicity | Crabapple School | Valerie Reeh Nimitz-Stokes |
| Willow City School | Raynell Wilke | |
| Doris Spraggins (At Large) | ||
| Brochure Restocking | Doris Spraggins, Kay Pressler, Others |