The Wodtke family was celebrated for its numerous contributions to this community at last Saturday’s 15th annual Pioneer Family Recognition Dinner to benefit Vero Heritage Inc., which operates the landmark Heritage Center and adjoining Citrus Museum.
The annual event honors families that settled in Indian River County by 1925 and have made an indelible mark here. This year the Wodtkes took center stage at the Heritage Center for embodying that pioneering spirit.
“They are a true pioneer family,” observed Alma Lee Loy, whose family was honored with the Guy family at the 2012 fundraising dinner.
A long-time family friend, Loy said her family owned a men’s wear business across the street from the original location of Wodtke’s Department Store, where the 14th Avenue Steakhouse is currently located. Wodtke’s later moved to the Miracle Mile Shopping Plaza.
“Bill and Edna were beautiful parents who taught their children the important things in life – family, faith and community service,” said Loy, referring to William C. Wodtke, Sr., a first-generation American, and Edna Mae Fortner Wodtke, a third-generation Floridian.
Looking around the roomful of 155 guests which included Bill McClure, Henry Schacht and Ace Cappelen, Loy added, “These are the old-timers, the movers and shakers of the early days of Indian River County.”
Now in their 60s, three of the seven remaining Wodtke children – Margaret Wodtke LaPorte, Mary Wodtke Sinclair and Susan Wodtke Smith – were joined by their children and grandchildren and other family and friends in the celebration.
“They were so in love,” said Margaret. “They instilled in us love and to appreciate everyday life and everything that you have.”
The family’s name is engraved on a plaque on the wall of the Heritage Center, along with other families previously recognized for their pioneering spirit.
A display of Wodtke family memorabilia including large portraits of Bill and Edna, a wedding photograph, newspaper clippings of stories about the store and advertisements announcing store-wide sales, and an assortment of photographs of employees and customers offered greater insight into the Wodtke family.
Susan Wodtke Smith told the story how her parents came to Vero when they were children. Edna was from Parrish, Florida, and Bill came from Alexandria, IN. Coincidentally, they both arrived in 1922 due to their own family circumstances.
Bill learned the retail business from the ground up, working for his uncle, who owned Maher’s Department Store. He would often walk to Osceola Drug Store on his lunch hour, where 16-year old Edna was employed.
The couple married at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in 1930 and in 1942 Bill started his own retail business, Wodtke’s Department Store. The store closed in 1995 after 53 years in business.
The couple raised seven children – Kay Wodtke Trent, William C. Wodtke, Jr., Joseph Wodtke, Michael Wodtke, Mary Wodtke Sinclair, Margaret Wodtke LaPorte and Susan Wodtke Smith.
Bill was active in civic service for many years, including terms as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and as state vice president and state treasurer of the Exchange Club. He was a member of the Royal Park Golf Club and the volunteer fire department. He served as chairman of the Vero Beach chapter of the American Red Cross and played active roles in the Sunshine Center, Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, Indian River Memorial Hospital and Modern Woodsman of America.
Edna was a homemaker but found time to be on the Selective Service Board of Indian River County, and served as president of Indian River Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, St Helen’s Women’s Club and the Vero Beach Women’s Club. She also served as vice president of Wodtke’s Department Store.
Rebecca Rickey, executive director of the Heritage Center, described the annual benefit as “a big reunion, a big family picnic.”
“They are all talking, reminiscing,” she said. “They’re saying, ‘I remember when this happened, and that … I remember Vero back in the day.’”