“Famous” bratwurst supper returns to Waltham

(ABC 6 News) – The “famous” bratwurst supper is returning to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church on Saturday after more than a decade.

The first bratwurst supper was held in November 1976 as a way to raise money for the church. The family-style dinner became a tradition and in the 90s, it switched to a buffet. With more food to serve and not enough helpers, it was time to take a break. Now, that’s changing.

“We’ve got a lot of interest even before we planned it,” said LaVonne Husemoller, the financial secretary at St. Michael’s.

“People would say when are you going to bring your bratwurst supper back? We’ve had a lot of helpers and we’re hoping that it will bring our church members together as a unity, and that has been happening.”

The dinner will have the original menu from the first supper including bratwurst, potatoes, green beans, and kniffles – a German dumpling.

“The hardest to prepare is the kniffles,” said Kristine Alla, the church council president.

“As in, it’s a long, hard process in that short amount of time. We have to start the bratwursts first, boil them, and we use the bratwurst water to boil the kniffles so it gets the taste of the bratwurst in there.”

One change to the original menu, there will not be apple crisp. Church members are instead making cakes for dessert.

Money raised from Saturday’s dinner will go back to the church. Tickets for adults are $15, kids between the ages of 6 and 12 are $8, and people under 5 get in for free. It will not only be food helping raise money, there will be a basket raffle as well.

There are two seatings offered, one at 5 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. There is a possible 7 p.m. seating depending on ticket sales.

Tickets and/or carryout orders can be placed by calling Husemoller at (507)-440-7113. You can also email her at stmichaelschurchmn@gmail.com.