The banners were designed by Dovie Luedeker of Crawford, Texas, in cooperation with John and Judy Rittimann. Dovie is married to Henry's cousin, Marvin Luedeker. Dovie has been a best friend of Frances Schulte since grade school at McGregor, Texas where they were both active in First Baptist Church.

 

Dovie is retired from Rocketdyne/Hercules, where she worked as an Executive Assistant. An accomplished artist, Dovie has done numerous paintings in oil.

She became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in McGregor when she and Marvin were married 50 years ago on December 10, 1954. She currently is serving as the President of Zion Lutheran Church in McGregor, the first woman president in the congregation's history.

 

Dovie began applying her seamstress and artistic skills to banner making for Zion. She completed dual sets of banners for every season of the church year plus special banners for weddings and anniversaries. When fire struck Zion Lutheran in 1995 all the banners were destroyed. Dovie began her work anew and, with the help of her husband, Marvin,  completed new sets of banners for all seasons.

 

When the new Sanctuary for St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne was built, Pastor Henry and Frances asked Dovie if she would make one more set of banners. She agreed and designed and made the beautiful red banners for dedication that proclaim, "God Is Present"-

"In Word And Sacrament".

 

One day in May John Rittimann asked Pastor Schulte, "Why don't we change out the banners in church?" Pastor Schulte replied, "Because those are the only ones we have." John and Judy decided that they would like to give a set of banners that could incorporate the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Once again Dovie was asked to make just one more set. She graciously accepted the request, met with John and Judy and completed the design, "Unto Us Is Born" -"Prince of Peace". She worked with great diligence to complete the banners in time for 'The First Sunday in Advent, 2003'.