The Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids was founded in December 1980 by ten enthusiastic people:

• Theresa and Jack Arnold
• Hildegard Diana-Herr
• Martin F. Kroepsch
• Maria A. Miller
• Barbara and Erwin Rosenberg
• Lydia and Dan Spidell
• Beanca Zwarensteyn

These German-Americans believed that a progressive, family-oriented club would be a welcome addition to the
Greater Grand Rapids area. Since those chilly December days, club membership has grown to over 160. The club
started to operate formally as a business in February 1981.

Past Presidents:

• Dan Spidell Dec 1980 – Nov 1982
• Martin Kroepsch Dec 1982 – Mar 1983
• Ron Vander Till Mar 1983 – Mar 1987
• Bernie Siehling Mar 1987 – Mar 1991
• Theresa Arnold Mar 1991 – Mar 1995
• Bernie Siehling Mar 1995 – Mar 1997
• Maria Miller Mar 1997 – Jun 1998
• Ron Vander Till Jun 1998 – Mar 1999
• Terry VanderLaan Mar 1999 – Mar 2003
• Bernie Kleinselbeck Mar 2003 – Apr 2005
• Ron Vander Till Apr 2005 – Apr 2007
• Barbara Koning Apr 2007 – Apr 2010
• Johanna Dean Apr 2010 – Apr 2011
• Eilleen Wigen Apr 2011 – Apr 2013
• Brian Vilmont Apr 2013 – Apr 2017
• Kevin Neitzert Apr 2017 – Apr 2021
• Herbert Fitzon Apr 2021 – present