Gemuetlichkeit royalty for 2008 crowned at May Ball

By Melissa Lampe for the Daily Times
Monday, May 12, 2008 12:46 PM CDT

2008 Gemuetlichkeit Days King and Queen Gregg and Sara Heideman (center) are escorted by 2005 Royalty Joann and Brad Meinel after being announced as this year’s royal couple Saturday at the May Ball at the Jefferson County Fair Park. (MELISSA LAMPE/Daily Times)

JEFFERSON - Saturday's damp and chilly weather did not spoil the revelry that took place Saturday evening as people gathered in Jefferson to celebrate their German heritage at the Gemuetlichkeit Days May Ball.

The highlight of the event, which is now in its 38th year, was the announcement of the 2008 Gemuetlichkeit Days king and queen. With their family and friends in attendance, Gregg and Sara Heideman were presented to the crowd as this year's royal couple with great fanfare and excitement.

Both natives of Jefferson, Gregg and Sara married in 1992 and have two children - Lindsey, 13, and Lucas, 11. They also both graduated from Jefferson High School in 1987. In fact, one of their first dates was attending Gemuetlichkeit Days together. Gregg is a self-employed carpenter and owns Heideman's Country Cabinets and Carpentry. He is also a hog and crop farmer. Sara is employed by Team Rehab, Inc. at Countryside Home in Jefferson as a restorative/clerical aide.

The Heidemans are very active locally with 4-H, sports and many school functions. Their hobbies include camping, canoe trips, bowling, snowmobiling, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.

Once a prince and now a king, Gregg is the son of past Gemuetlichkeit Days royalty. His parents, Roger and Pat Heideman, reigned over the festivities in 1999. Gregg's paternal family came from Vangerin, Germany, in 1856 and his maternal family came to the United States in the 1800s from Udestedt, Germany.

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Sara is the daughter of Dean and Kitty Sukow, and granddaughter of Leona Wedl and June Sukow. Sara's maternal family, the Wedls, immigrated here from Eschenbach, Bavaria, in 1845.

Although the Gemuetlichkeit Days official celebration does not occur until the weekend of Sept. 12-14 at the Jefferson County Fair Park, the Heidemans will be very busy between now and then promoting Jefferson and its rich German heritage in other communities by attending nearby events and parades.

While the Heidemans have known since early this year that they were chosen as king and queen, Sara said it was very difficult keeping the secret. The Gemuetlichkeit Days king and queen are chosen by the past three royal couples from nominations made by the community.

“We are very excited to be the 2008 king and queen, and we are glad the secret is out,” Sara said. “In past years we have been involved with Gemuetlichkeit in many different ways - bartending, costume judging, organizing and running a food booth for school and being members of the G-days boat relocation organization. Being king and queen is truly a great honor and we are looking forward to representing Jefferson.”