Mary Oldiges was given the honor of grand marshal of the 2023 Minster Octoberfest Parade on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the Wooden Shoe Inn in Minster. Oldiges is a lifelong resident of Minster and also a founder of the Minster Historical Society. Her husband Gary Oldiges was grand marshal seven years-ago.
Steve Egbert | Sidney Daily News
MINSTER — The Minster Oktoberfest Parade Committee has announced this year’s 49th Grand Marshal is Mary P. Oldiges.
“Mary has resided and been involved in our community her entire life. Mary Oldiges’ actions as a community member have exceeded all expectations of any resident, as well as those required to be selected as our 49th Grand Marshal,” said Parade Chairperson Rodney Arnold. “Mary’s continued commitment to our community and the values she sets forth have been a true blessing for current and future generations of Minster, Ohio.”
Oldiges started her history in Minster on July 4, 1947, the first daughter of Earl and Phyllis (Vogelsang) Woehrmyer. She became the fifth generation of Minsterites and claims she learned from the best. Oldiges also made history as a member of the first class to graduate the “New” Minster High School in 1965.
After graduation she worked at Minster Machine Company, Francis Furniture and Accents on Main. In 1967 she firmly planted her roots in Minster and married her husband of 52 years, Gary Oldiges, at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Together they raised three sons, Ted (Maria), Jeff (deceased) and Craig (Dianne) and were blessed with six grandchildren: Dawson, Kyra, Brynn, Nathan, Hannah and Brandon becoming the seventh generation in the Minsterite legacy.
Throughout these years Oldiges found herself involved in many organizations and finding ways to support the community. She was a Girl Scout Troop leader, a Cub Scout Den Mother, member of the Service Club and her involvement with St Augustine landed herself a leadership role on the Finance Committee, Arts and Environment Committee, Lay Distributor, Women’s Choir, and mentor as the fourth- and fifth-grade Religious Education Teacher. In this role she ensured our youth’s religious education along with a clear understanding of the importance of our faith and its relationship to the heritage of our community. She also found time to contribute to the Minster Oktoberfest, although, most of her involvement was behind the scenes helping her husband Gary who served as secretary for many years.
In 1976 the Minster Historical Society (MHS) was founded and by the early 80’s she became a board member and secretary. At that time her passion for the preservation of the local history became apparent. That passion shined through when she became one of the chairpersons for the Sesquicentennial (150 year) Celebration of Minster, a yearlong festivity of events ending in a large party in Centennial Park with the whole town in attendance and celebrating its heritage.
Oldiges continued to dedicate her life to the preservation of Minster’s history. Never being satisfied with good enough she spent her recent years as MHS president. She was driven to expand the Historical Society and in 2008 petitioned the village of Minster to assist her in locating a site. With the help of the board and a few volunteers, the Historical Museum on Fourth Street was established. She also sought ways to sustain this history and it’s passing down from generation to generation by establishing special school tours formulated around each grade
and working with the schools had them integrated into their curriculum. She also wished to include adult programming and the “Take a Look at Minster” became an annual event.
In 2014 the alley between the museum and neighboring building was closed creating Heritage Park containing artifacts and hand painted murals by a local artist. By 2017 she was leading the charge to acquire the neighboring building to provide an annex for safe and proper storage of many files and artifact. Using her interior design experience, major renovations were completed to its current layout and design.
With the help of many local organizations, Minster volunteers, and head engineers Jim Kemper and Jerry Baumer, the annex was opening in 2020. In April 2023, after 41 years of dedication to the Minster Historical Society and Museum, Oldiges turned in her resignation as curator and stepped down as a board member. But she is not done yet. She is working on her next project, with the help of Wright State University in Celina, to develop a documentary to preserve the history dialect of Minster’s Low German Language with the help of Wright State University in Celina.
