Oklahoma Immigrant Citizens
Hear and learn from the oral histories of Oklahoma's most influential immigrant citizens and how their lives and leadership shaped the success of our state.
Learn From These Influential Oklahomans
Case Boshuizen
WWII Survivor, Mechanical EngineerCase Boshuizen shares his life experiences from the German occupation of the Netherlands at age 11 to coming to Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife Johanna and retiring from T.D. Williamson as an engineer.
Eva Unterman
Holocaust SurvivorHer story shows the resourcefulness and determination of a Holocaust survivor.
George Matson
Southern Hills Country ClubMeet "Golf Shop George" -- An Irishman who has become a Tulsa Treasure.
Jenny Brouse
Business Owner / Community LeaderFrom Russian to Tulsa. Jenny and her son, Brian, tell the family's immigration story.
John and Ingeborg
Immigrant Citizens, Oral History ExampleTo celebrate Voices of Oklahoma's 15th anniversary, John Erling shares this oral history example, emphasizing the importance of recording your loved ones' voices by sharing a recording of his father, John Frette, telling the story about how his father emigrated from Norway.
Kenneth Renberg
German Immigrant, WWII VeteranA German-American Jewish immigant who bravely fought in World War II to "get back at Hitler."
Marian Opala
Oklahoma Supreme Court JusticeFrom the Polish underground to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Maxine Kelamis
Savoy RestaurantMaxine Kelamis and her son, Bill, tell a story of immigration, food, and the American dream.
Mike Samara
Celebrity Club Fine DiningKnown as the friendly owner of Celebrity Club, he also helped bring liquor-by-the-drink to Oklahoma.
Sister Therese Gottschalk
St. John Health SystemSelflessly answered calls to serve the catholic church and a Tulsa hospital.
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