VERO BEACH — On Saturday, May 10, Vero Heritage, Inc. will honor the Wodtke family at its 15th Annual Pioneer Family Recognition Dinner at the Heritage Center. Each year, Vero Heritage, Inc. honors a family who has contributed to the growth and progress of Indian River County.
Those previously honored include the Sexton, Schumann, Michael, MacWilliam, Graves, Helseth, Vocelle, Zeuch, Cox, Gifford, Holman, Carter, Schlitt, Loy, Guy and Kennedy families.
Cocktails are at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and a short program following dinner. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at the Heritage Center or by calling (772) 770-2263 or e-mailing at info@VeroHeritage.org.
The Heritage Center is located at 2140 14th Avenue in historic downtown Vero Beach.
William “Bill” C. Wodtke, Sr., a first generation American, and Edna Mae Fortner, a third generation Floridian both arrived in Vero in 1922.
They married in 1930 at St. Helen Catholic Church and had seven children, Kay Trent, Bill Jr., Jody, Michael, Mary Sinclair, Margaret Laporte and Susan Smith.
Bill’s dream of owning his own retail store was fulfilled when he opened Wodtke’s Dept. Store in 1942. Along with his business life, he served this community by belonging to many organizations, often serving as president. Some of these include: Chamber of Commerce, Elks, Exchange Club, Volunteer Fireman, American Red Cross, Indian River Memorial Hospital, Coast Guard Reserves, Director of Indian River Citrus Bank and others.
Edna, while raising seven children, managed to participate in several clubs including Vero Beach Women’s Club, Hospital Auxiliary, Selective Service Board, Catholic Woman’s club and others.
When Bill died unexpectedly in 1961 at 55 years of age, Edna along with her older children, kept Wodtke’s running until it closed after 53 years in 1995.
Many family members remain in Indian River County today and are just as involved as Bill and Edna were those many years.
Built in 1935 as the original Community Building, the Heritage Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a vital link to the history of our community. Although the Heritage Center is owned by the City of Vero Beach, it is the responsibility of the nonprofit Vero Heritage, Inc. to raise the necessary funds for the preservation of the building.
This is done through fundraising, special events, rentals of the building for private events, memberships and donations from supporters and friends.
Funds generated from this event assist in the conservation and preservation of this important landmark which continues to be a center of activity for the community. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Heritage Center and the Indian River Citrus Museum.
For more information on Vero Heritage Inc., the Indian River Citrus Museum and the Heritage Center, as well as information on rentals and events, please visit our website at www.veroheritage.org or email us at info@VeroHeritage.org.
