Albert’s 90th Anniversary at Murbko
Above: Albert Noll and his siblings at the luncheon following his baptism anniversary service. Pictured are (from left) Desma Kleemann, Evelyn Morgan, Richard Noll, Olga Olsen, Albert Noll and Rhonda Oates.
Born and raised Murbko resident Albert Noll was recently honoured with a 90-year baptism anniversary in February.
Mr Noll was baptised at the Evangelische Lutherische Bethlehemskirche Murbko – now Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Murbko, – on February 2, 1930. 90 years later, to the day, a special service was held at the same church to celebrate Mr Noll’s baptism.
About 50 friends and family members attended the service, led by Pastor Peter Traeger, who gave an insight into important events of 1930 before inviting Mr Noll to the altar.
Following the service, those present enjoyed a lunch in the church hall, after which Mr Noll read excerpts from the diaries of his father, Paul Benjamin Noll, set between 1930 and 1976, depicting frosts severe enough that sheep trough water was still frozen at 4pm, heatwaves up to 47C, the purchase of the family’s first car, and when 240-volt electricity first arrived at the farm.
Mr Noll cut a baptism anniversary cake made and iced by Joy Wagenknecht of Blanchetown, after which several other attendees gave speeches of their time with Albert and his family.
Mr Noll was the oldest of seven sisters and a brother; in 1978, he and his wife Gladys moved from their farm to Waikerie, yet still attend Sunday services at Murbko and Blanchetown.
Mr Noll is currently the church committee chairman and treasurer. Still learning new skills – most recently a scroll saw – some of Mr Noll’s intricate work is on display at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
This article originally appeared in The River News on February 12 and has been republished with the newspaper’s permission.
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