Germans from Russia Heritage Collection


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2000 Journey to the Homeland Tour Group.

Journey to the Homeland: Germany, Ukraine

June 6 - June 19, 2000

Biographies of Tour Group Members

* Identifies Deceased

Dr. Eugene Baer, Waukesha, Wisconsin

I am a professor of English-Professional Writing at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am married to Joyce (6-11-66). Joyce is a native of Wisconsin. We have lived in Wisconsin since 1968. We have four children--Monica, Jennifer, Nathan, and Amanda. The first three listed are out of college and on their own. Amanda, the youngest, is a college sophomore. Jennifer, married to a man from Germany, lives about an hour north of Stuttgart, Germany. We have one grandson, Mason, son of Monica. We have a second grandson due to be born in October, 1999, to Jennifer in Germany.

I was born in 1943 and grew up in South Dakota in the general vicinity of Roscoe, Bowdle, and Hosmer, all heavily populated by Germans from Russia. My own ancestors were Baers who emigrated from Switzerland to the Crimea in 1803 and were among the group who established the colony of Zürichtal in 1804. Thanks to Buster Baer and Yvonne Haefner, an extensive genealogy, dating to 1575, exists for my Baer line.

When Bernhard and Katherine (Herman) Baer emigrated to the United States, so did many of their children and grandchildren. Today, the descendants of Bernhard and Katherine, my great-great grandparents, must number in the high thousands, at least. Someday, I hope we can hold a reunion of their descendants, but we may need all of Walworth County in order to find space for everyone.

I wish to travel to Crimea to get in touch with the area in which my ancestors lived from 1804 until about 1889. I had the opportunity to walk where they walked in Switzerland during the summer of 1999. Traveling to Crimea will give me similar opportunities to step where the Baers and other relatives stepped.

My Baer ancestors who emigrated to South Dakota in the later 1880s settled an area known as Theodore and built what became known as the Baer Church. The church is gone but the Baer Cemetery still exists. It is located almost directly south of Bowdle in Walworth County.

I want to visit Zuerichtal, Neustatz, Alsbach, and Karatscha-Kangil, places where the Baers lived. But as editor of the Krim-GR newsletter, I also want to visit Alexandertal, Friedenthal, Heilbrunn, Rosental, Kronental, and Kalmu-Kara because subscribers to the Krim-GR discussion group who are not able to visit Crimea themselves have asked me to kind of share my trip with them by traveling to these villages and taking pictures for them. From the photos and information I am able to gather, I hope to do a special issue of the Krim-GR newsletter highlighting this trip. That way those others can share at least a bit in what I expect to be a fascinating and fulfilling experience.

I am eagerly looking forward to this journey to the homeland and my Crimean roots.

Joyce E. Baer Waukesha, Wisconsin

I am a teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I am married to Gene Baer and am a native of Wisconsin. We have lived in Wisconsin since 1968. We have four children--Monica, Jennifer, Nathan, and Amanda. The first three listed are out of college and on their own. Amanda, the youngest, is a college sophomore. Jennifer, married to a man from Germany, lives about an hour north of Stuttgart, Germany. We have one grandson, Mason, son of Monica. We have a second grandson due to be born in October, 1999, to Jennifer in Germany.

I was born in 1943 and grew up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. My ancestors were Nitschkes and Waltersdorfs who emigrated from Germany to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the summer of 1999, we visited Modlau (German name), the small village in what is now western Poland, located about an hour and a half northeast of Gorlitz, Germany. This village, located in what was Lower Silesia before World War II, is where my Nitschke ancestors--my father, his parents, and a brother and sister lived until they emigrated to the United States in the 1920s.

In the past I taught in both a one-room school and a two-room school. I currently teach pre-school and first grade. My hobbies include sewing and playing grandmother.

Dennis Batterman, Imperial, Nebraska

My name is Dennis Batterman, age 47, originally of Tripp, South Dakota. My mother is still living in Tripp, while my only brother lives in Rapid City, South Dakota. As I am single, I have left the job of providing my mother with grandchildren to my brother. He has kept up his end of the bargain, yet mother does not seem to think that is enough.

Educationally, I received my college degree in the field of elementary education at the University of South Dakota at Springfield. When I went to college in the 70s it was called Southern State College. I enjoy telling people that my alma mater is the South Dakota State Pen because shortly after I graduated the campus was turned into a State minimum security facility. It really worked pretty well for the State. The facilities were in excellent shape; the only thing that was missing was the FENCE.

Coming from a low income family, college was on my own. To finance my college I worked at a tourist stop, known as Wall Drug Store (have you seen the signs?) for 6 years; five of those as the head cook in one of the kitchens. Can I tell you some stories about Tom and Tillie, the typical tourists! Ask me later!

I have only been on one public tour, that was to the northeast part of the United States in 1975. I really enjoyed the tour and the people, but most of all I enjoyed the tour leaders and how they handled the glitches that popped up. That allowed me to enjoy my vacation without the hassles. Vacation is a time to have fun; the non-scheduled "events" are the adventures you talk about later.

After I received my degree in elementary education, I accepted my first teaching job in Wauneta, Nebraska. I taught 5th grade there for three enjoyable years. It was a very good experience for me. Coming from a small town I felt right at home. I then ventured to a "large" school here in Imperial. We have about 650 students in a community of 2,000. I have taught in Imperial for 22 years. My job assignments have varied from 5th through 8th grade. At the present time I am teaching 6th grade with an emphasis on world history. Teaching is the greatest job in the world. I am privileged to have the opportunity to help children grow.

In my spare time I enjoy playing several sports activities, such as golf and bowling. I found out when I moved to Nebraska that being a Nebraska Corn Husker supporter is a state requirement for living in the state. The state motto is Go Big Red!

I also am very active in the community. I believe that each person of a community is responsible to do his/her part in supporting that community. As a result I have worked actively in my church. I am a member of the bell choir, on many committees as well as lay reader, usher, etc. I served 8 years on the library board and, of course, have held every office of the local genealogical group.

Genealogy takes up much of my time. I have been bitten by the "bug" for about 20 years seriously. I belong to several historical organizations. Again being a member of an organization has some responsibilities. Being an officer is tough for me at the state or national level at this time, so I volunteer my time in other ways. I have spent several days in Bismarck at the societies library volunteering and visiting relatives at the same time. I also have done some computer work for the society.

My personal genealogy is extensively Germans from Russia. My paternal grandfather was the odd ball of the group. He came from Holland. My paternal grandmother was a Drefs which came from Alt Arzis and her mother was a Zeitner from Friedenstal. My maternal grandparents were Tesky and Weisser from the Neudorf area.

My genealogy has led me to this trip. I have never been out of the country, and am excited about visiting one of the home villages. I have been amazed at the paper work involved to go back to our ancestral villages. I can't wait to share this experience with our family reunion gathering and also my World History class. I hope that you all will guide me on my virgin voyage. I turn red easily, but would appreciate your help. May God bless this trip and all of us on it.

Roger Branning, Bismarck, North Dakota

The family names there were Trautman and Harning.

I was born on a farm near Goldwin, Paris Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota. I am the first child of Walter and Kathryn (Trautman) Branning. My father was born in Denhoff in 1907 to Samuel Titus and Magdaline (Bronson) Branning. They came with the expansion of railroads from the eastern United States. My mother was born in 1910, the fourth daughter of 9 children to Jacob and Christina (Fisher) Trautman, on a farm near Goldwin where they homesteaded.

Jacob was born at Rohrbach, South Russia and served in the Russian Military. In 1902 he accompanied his parents to America. On January 6, 1903 he married Magadalina Lehr; 13 months later she died leaving him with a daughter. On January 5, 1905 he married Christina Fisher. Christina was born in Russia on December 22, 1884 to Carl and Catherane Harning. She accompanied her parents to America when she was 3 years old.

My parents Walter and Kathryn, were married in 1935 and farmed near (Goldwin) Woodworth, North Dakota until 1964. Upon the death of my dad my Mother sold the farm and moved to Jamestown until her death in 1986. The farm was located 7 miles east of Woodworth along highway 36, where I grew up and attended a one-room country school at Goldwin. The country school, farm, and small towns of Woodworth and Medina were the centers of my development.

I earned a degree in engineering from NDSU in 1959 and went to work for the Government working mostly in engineering fields of construction, maintenance, and design. During the years 1959-1984, we had the opportunity to live in North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, Montana, Verdun France and Stuttgart, Germany. In 1984 I took an early retirement and we went back to Europe for 70 days, visiting 11 countries by Eurail and staying in bed and breakfasts. Upon returning home I taught construction engineering at NDSU and building Super 8 Motels but returned to my true love - farming. I am farming 14 miles east of Bismarck raising small grains.

We have two daughters and two granddaughters. I am looking forward to them helping me farm.

I treasure all my experiences. Especially working with people of different cultures.

Shirley Branning, Bismarck, North Dakota

My lineage is from the families Hauff, Steinhauer and Tarnasky.

I was born on a farm near Lehr, Logan County, North Dakota. I am the fourth child of Jacob and Hannah (Tarnasky) Hauff. My father was born in Gergera, South Russia in 1896 and immigrated to the United States with his parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters in 1903. My mother was born in 1903 on a farm near Lehr, homesteaded by her parents, Michael and Eva (Steinhauer) Tarnasky.

My parents, Jacob and Hannah, were married in 1921 and farmed near Lehr until 1950, when they moved to Kulm, North Dakota. This is the area where I grew up and attended a one-room country school until the seventh grade. The country church played a prominent role in our lives. My older brothers and sister spoke the first language of the household which was German. When I was born, it was thought that only English should be spoken with me so that I would not have language difficulties in school. However, I am grateful to my grandfather Tarnasky who taught me to speak German. When I return to Lehr to this day, I can listen to the people of the community speak the German dialect of my parents. How wonderful it is to go back home! Unfortunately, I have little or no opportunity to speak German in my daily life.

I earned a Two Year Standard Teaching Certificate at Jamestown College, a BS from Minot State, and Masters and Ed.D. from UND. I have a major in Elementary Education, with minors in German and psychology. My teaching experience includes elementary teaching in Minnesota, South and North Dakota, and US Dependent Schools in Boebling, Germany; professor of education at Mayville State University and the University of Mary. Currently, I am a director of special education for rural Burleigh County.

We have two daughters and two granddaughters. When our daughters were in elementary school we lived in France for one year and in Germany for three years. They had the opportunity to study French and German. During our residence in Europe, we traveled to all of the Western European Countries. I have also visited the Middle East, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

I treasure my German heritage. It is a vital part of my life.

Violet (Miller) Ehlers, Lodi, California

I was born in Venturia, North Dakota November 21, 1931, the youngest of six, four half-sisters and brother and one whole sister.

My father was born in Neudorf and came to this country in 1910, his name was John M. Miller (Mueller). My mother was born in Wishek, North Dakota and had ten siblings. Her name was Bertha (Weidenbach) Miller. Adam Weidenbach and Emilia (Frank) Weidenbach came to America married, and I have no information as to what year they arrived. I was told my grandfather had a brother named Henry that remained in Worms, Russia.

My father was of the Lutheran faith and my grandfather was of the Reformed faith.

I was born on a small farm northeast of Venturia. We moved to Lodi, California in 1942. My three oldest siblings had moved west at an early age and we followed later.

I graduated from Lodi High School and married a native son and farmer in 1950. We had two children, Steven K. and Lisa C. Our son has three children.

I changed from the Reformed church to my husbands faith which is Lutheran.

The year 2000 marks our 50 years of marriage and in farming.

My fondest memories of growing up in a German-Russian home were the good and wonderful dishes, which I was taught how to cook. My grandchildren beg for me to make the different food, which makes me happy that maybe they would carry on making these wonderful different food dishes.

My Dad spoke so much of his years living in Neudorf. I wish he would be living now; so I would be able to share with him when we get back from this trip.

I am a golfer and very active in church. My vocation has been bookkeeping and I am still working and hope to retire in April, 2000. We also enjoy our home in Aptos, California.

I am looking forward to this trip and meeting all the people that have the same German-Russian heritage.

Arnold Fadden, Thousand Oaks, California

I was born in New York City, raised in Los Angeles and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1959. I further studied accounting at UCLA and passed the CPA examination. I own a tax consulting and preparation practice which is seasonal and allows me to pursue other interests for most of the year. I do volunteer work with Hospice, Meals on Wheels Programs and our local Community Theater.

As a toddler, I was raised by a German "Nanny" and am told that I was fluent in German as a youngster. I took an elementary German class at UC Berkeley, then did my military service in Frankfurt, Germany from August 1956 to December 1957 where I practiced my elementary German as a member of a German Tennis Club. The following year I took an intermediate German course before graduating UC. in 1959.

Gerda and I met in October 1958 and were married in 1959. Unfortunately, I did not keep up with my German in spite of all the opportunity to do so.

We are celebrating our 40th Anniversary this September.

Gerda A. Fadden, Thousand Oaks, California

I was born in Odessa. So was my Mother and I still have one cousin living there. Even though I was one year old when we left, I still feel that bond and that affinity to a place and country, which was home to a line of maternal ancestors who left the Würtemberg, Black Forest, area during the 18th century and became part of the German-Russian settlers in South Russia.

Records show, that a Laitenberg/Graessle wedding took place in Glückstal in 1846. Of the 11 children born to this couple, only one was born in Glückstal and the other 10 in Bergdorf. My great-grandmother, Johanna Laitenberger, was the 8th child. In 1882 she married a William Heiser from Tilsit, East Prussia. The wedding took place in Bergdorf Evangelical Lutheran Church. William and Johanna had 4 daughters, all born in Bergdorf between 1883 and 1889.

In 1904 the 3 oldest daughters emigrated to the United States where they married and homesteaded in the Dakotas. My grandmother, Martha, stayed behind and consequently participated in the suffering of so many of "unsere Leut". They lived through famines, revolutions, Stalin's purges and both world wars. In due course, however, my grandmother married a Johannes Weber and had 2 children, Alexander (Sascha), who emigrated to Australia after World War II, and a daughter, Lydia (Luba), who spent 9 years in the Gulag of Magadan in Siberia and, after finally returning home to Odessa, committed suicide. Her son, my cousin Wowa (Waldemar or Volodja) Kussmaul, was 10 years old when his mother was sent away, and because his father's whereabouts was unknown also, he was on his own and had to learn to fend for himself from that time on. At this time he and his wife are still living in Odessa, although their daughter has already emigrated to Germany. She has been encouraging her parents to do the same, but this undertaking seems to be a long and complicated matter.

My mother was grandmother Martha's third child of a second marriage. Her father had been fighting the Bolsheviks around Odessa in 1918. He was shot and his body was dumped into a well. My mother grew up without ever knowing him. My father came from Pommerania, he met and married my mother in Odessa in 1933. Because my father was a German citizen, we were able to leave Russia and move to Germany. We went from Communism to Fascism, and the first thing that happened to my father was a 1/2 year stint in a SS prison, because he was a suspect of having married a Russian, possibly a Communist.

Life in Germany was not easy either at the time, because unemployment was very high. World War II brought all kinds of other problems for us, but in 1943 it caused my grandmother Martha and step-grandfather to leave Russia in a horse-drawn covered wagon. They traveled through Poland and through Thüringen to a small town outside of Bremen where we lived. Eventually all of us were able to emigrate to the United States. This was the grandest miracle of my life. Free of fear from persecutions, free from deprivations, free to live in peace and free to make life choices. We could lift our lives to levels above the basic need to protect and nourish our bodies.

I have a BA degree from San Francisco State University; my oldest brother is a lawyer; and my younger brother is an electrical engineer. My husband, Arnold, and I have two grown daughters and one grand-daughter. I live in gratitude to God every day, that I am here, but I can never forget how it was for those who preceded me, and how it still is for those who are left behind

I look forward to seeing those places in Glückstal and Bergdorf where my ancestors lived, to walk those roads they once walked, to touch the earth that nourished them and perhaps also feel their spirits in whatever I may encounter.

Anna Marie (Gulke) Hajek, Everett, Washington

I was born to August and Caroline (Weidenbach) Gulke and lived on a farm at Forbes, North Dakota and later at Oakes, North Dakota. My paternal grandfather Christian Gulke was 18 years old when he arrived in the United States with his parents Christian and Friedrika (Koch) Gulke in 1898. In 1902 my grandfather Christian married Marie Roehl and they farmed at Forbes, North Dakota.

My maternal grandparents were Adam and Amelia (Frank) Weidenbach. They farmed at Ashley, North Dakota. They traveled from Worms, Germany to Russia and from there migrated to America. Information regarding my ancestors is very sketchy.

I attended a rural one-room grade school for the first eight grades and could not speak English when I started School. And I have lost most of my German speaking ability. I graduated from Oakes High School in 1946. I married Rudolph Hajek in 1947. In 1954 we moved to Everett, Washington. We raised seven children (2 boys and 5 girls). My mother, Caroline (Weidenbach) Gulke currently lives in Everett, Washington. I was widowed in 1990.

I am looking forward to the Journey to the Homeland Tour.

Herbert Herman, Sr., Gackle, North Dakota

The Journey To The Homeland (Germany and Ukraine) has become an attraction that I hope to experience because my mother and father were born in the Bessarabia and Glückstal regions of Sud Russland. I don't expect to find anyone of kin in these villages that my relatives came from.

My father came from Klein Neudorf to America with his parents in 1893 when he was 3 years old. Their first stop was in the Venturia, North Dakota area; but they soon moved and homesteaded northwest of Gackle, North Dakota.

My mother came over in 1910 at the age of 20 with her father, brother and sisters. Her mother, my grandmother, had died in December of 1909 in Beresina. Shortly after her death, my Grandfather decided to immigrate to America with his family of 3 daughters, 1 son and 1 son-in-law with children. They arrived in Kulm, North Dakota in May 1910. Since very little land was available he did not homestead. My grandfather, Johanns Roloff, first settled on a vacant farm northwest of Fredonia, North Dakota; but the son-in-law, Sam Rempfer, settled with his family on a farm southwest of Jud, North Dakota. My mother worked for an established farmer in the area until January 1914 when she married Jacob Herman of Gackle, North Dakota. They farmed for 7 years before moving into Gackle where I started first grade, unable to speak English.

I graduated from the Gackle High School in 1935 during the Great Depression of the 30s. Since there wasn't any jobs to be had, I joined the CCC's, Civilian Conservation Corps, established for young men by the Franklin Roosevelt Administration. After 3-1/2 years in the CCC, I returned home and taught in rural schools for 2 years before I started my education at Valley City State College. On December 7, 194l, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, that all changed; and I ended up in the US Army for 42 months in World War II.

In February 1946 I returned home and took a temporary job at the US Post Office in Gackle with the option that in the fall I would return to college at NDSU. Well it turned out that I became the acting Postmaster. After the Civil Service testing and some political maneuvers, I received my permanent appointment as Postmaster of Gackle from President Harry Truman in 1949.

MaryEt Reva Johnson and I were married in October 1947 and had two children - a daughter, Melinda and a son, Herbert II. After my military service and 34 years as Postmaster, I retired with 40 years of service. Through the years we have done our share of traveling in the USA. The foreign countries I have visited are: Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Central America, Guatemala, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal. My wife died in 1993 and I continue to live alone in Gackle and keep myself active with gardening, golfing, maintaining my home and shoveling snow. I'm thankful for the blessings of good health and many pleasant experiences and opportunities in my lifetime. I'm looking forward to a pleasant Journey To The Homeland with my children and fellow tour members.

Herbert Herman, Jr., San Jose, California

I was born October 30, 1960 in Jamestown, North Dakota. I was raised in Gackle, North Dakota and attended Gackle Public Schools and graduated in 1978. I then went to work at a local company as a beekeeper, this I did for about 5 years. During the winter months I would move to California with the bees, returning to Gackle each spring. I enjoyed the mountains in California, and finally decided to take a chance and move there in 1984.

I wanted to live in a small town in the Sierra Mountain Range, and quickly realized that the employment opportunities for a guy like me were slim to none. I ended up in Silicon Valley, and started to learn the machinist trade. Living in the Bay Area ever since and still work at that same job. It is my hope now to some day retire in a small mountain town, we'll see.

My hobbies and interests are hiking, camping, traveling, and just enjoying beautiful country. I also enjoy all the usual things like movies, being with friends, reading, baseball and football.

I am going on this tour with my sister and brother-in-law (Charles and Melinda Snell), and also my father (Herbert Herman). Never having been in Europe, I am getting excited about the whole experience.

Richard A. Hill, Vancouver, Washington

I was born in Forest Grove, Oregon to Arthur Hill and Lenore (Tappert) Hill. My maternal grandfather was born in Breslau, Silesia, Germany and immigrated to America in 1911. My maternal grandmother Anna Weiss was born in Friedensfeld, Bessarabia, and arrived in Oregon in 1904 via Odessa, Hamberg, Halifax and the Dakotas. Weiss family members had been arriving in America via Canada since the late 1870s. Initially, they settled in Hutchinson County, South Dakota, moving on to Oregon in the first half of the 1880s. My paternal grandmother was Scots/English. The Hill Family is Palatine Germans who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1727. The Hill Family participated in the early stages of each migration wave across the country.

I have been married to Shirley Tenerelli (Italian and Gallacia German) for almost 35 years. We have 2 children and one granddaughter. I have graduated from Portland State University, Seattle University and Washington State University with degrees in economics, management and international economics. After service in the Navy, I have held positions as Assistant Director of the Washington State Budget Office, Director, Price Waterhouse, and principal of my management consulting firm.

Our principal hobbies/recreation are genealogy and travel. Beyond work related travel in the Far East and Africa, we have visited most of the U.S. and Canada, as well as England, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Our most recent trips during 1998 included visiting our ancestral villages in the Palatine, Baden and Wurttemberg, and retracing the 200 year migration of our families across America.

During recent years I have identified over 1,200 German from Russia ancestors, and assembled a modest collection of oral recollections, photographs and migrations histories. I am expecting this trip will bring the touch of reality to these ancestors that I have experienced from similar trips.

Louise (Messer) Hughes

I was born in the western North Dakota prairie town of Dickinson, North Dakota, second youngest of eleven children, to Nicholas and Eva (Schmidt) Messer, who emigrated from Odessa, Russia with their three children in November 1903 via Bremen Harbor, Germany, boarding the ship "Wilhelm der Grosse" arriving at the New York port of entry on May 12, 1904.

Insuring opportunity for a good education for his children was one of my father's prime requisites for choice of location and subsequent profession. Farming was not compatible with proximity to schools; "railroading" in Texas would require Sunday work, which would clash with his religious belief. Therefore he chose carpentry, became master carpenter, and built our own house plus those of other German-Russian immigrants. He acquired a good math background in Russia; spoke German-Russian, French, Bohemian, and soon picked up English.

We had a good life - grew our own vegetables and did much weeding, hoeing, and hoping. My dad knew what every cloud in the sky meant and predicted rain quite accurately. During periods of drought he carried many pails of water out of our well to the thirsty plants. I learned early on how to pick out ripe cantaloupes and watermelons. Fruit, requiring a longer growing season, we had to buy - North Dakota climate being in sharp contrast with that of the semi-tropical Odessa region. I remember the many baskets of concord grapes my mother converted to jelly.

Each fall two or three freshly killed hogs were ordered to assure us a supply of hams, bacon, sausages for the winter; our smoke house was promptly activated. (we cleaned it and transformed it to a playhouse for the summer). My older brothers, avid hunters and fishermen supplied us with pheasants, ducks, and rabbits for the winter and fish for the summer. We never knew hunger - even during the depression.

Our social life revolved around our church and school, just one short block from our home, and our nearby cousins. My dad sang tenor in the church choir; two of my sisters and I sang soprano. Christmas Eve midnight Mass and our rendition of "Stille Nacht" with violin accompaniment, still reigns supreme in my memory. German customs prevailed. It was not Santa Claus, but the Christ-Child who left bags of candy, nuts and fruit on our front porch and once even a surprise doll for me. St. Nick was purported to be a somewhat mean Christmas visitor but never "showed up" at our house. Goose, not turkey, was traditional for Christmas dinner.

I attended St. Joseph School, Dickinson High School, and completed one semester of mostly business courses at Dickinson State Teacher's College; then did automotive accounting and secretarial work for a car dealer for several years. Two more years of secretarial work in a wholesale grocery house launched me for a trip to New York City and a position as secretary to the statistician of National Organization for Public Health Nursing just one block from Central Park. Returned to the midwest to do similar work for Dr. Jay Arthur Myers (tuberculosis specialist listed in Who's Who) in his University of Minnesota office.

While there I met Henry E. Hughes, an Army engineer stationed there for a refresher course in Chemical Engineering. Upon completion he was transferred to Tonawanda, New York and assigned to the Manhattan project. I followed and we were married in Buffalo, New York. Upon discharge from the army he enrolled at the University of Kansas for graduate work; five years later he was awarded his PH.D. in Chemical Engineering. Then it was onward to California.

Remembering my mother's devotion and dedication to her family, I emulated her - essentially stayed home to nurture my husband and my three children. When my youngest was a senior in high school, I returned to college for two solid years each of Business Administration, Music, Library Technology, and English Literature. Worked temporarily in periodicals at USC Doheny Library. I sang in the Mt. San Antonio College Choir for two years - relevant to my music course requirement.

Highlight of my life was singing in the 1,000 voice Olympic Honor Choir for the `84 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

I harbor a strong interest in Mythology (triggered by an English Literature course) but aborted a prospective tour of Greek Mythological sites in deference to "Journey to the Homeland".

My parents never spoke of their life in Russia when I was growing up; perhaps it was too painful. Their elderly parents chose to remain in Russia - fearing they'd not survive the long, strenuous ocean voyage and be tossed overboard enroute.

Ironically my mother's parents were among those exiled to Siberia during WW I, around 1917, and never heard from again. My mother's brother in Russia later informed her that their parents had perished from starvation and exposure to the elements - had frozen to death. Records indicate that my father served in the Russian Army from 1891-1895.

My parents were an inspiration to me - their courage, hard work, and focus on the really worthwhile things in life spawning in me a need/desire to emulate them. I'm afraid I fall far short. It appears my long dreamed of trip to see their homeland will soon become a reality. It will be an honor.

I am grateful to Michael M. Miller for his extensive research and effort to make "Journey to the Homeland: Germany and Ukraine" possible.

Anna M. Klein, Carrington, North Dakota

My dad's great-grandparents came from Elsass-Lorraine and Bavaria (Bayern) in 1801 to 1808. July 8, 1808 they left for Kandel, Russia. My great-grandfather George Lesmeister and Magdalena had 2 daughters Elizabeth and Margaretta and 2 sons Johan and Johanus Lesmeister born 1804-1874 in Bayern, Germany. He married Katherina Doll in 1810. Seven children were born to this union namely: Basilius, Joseph, Ferdinand, Filliphina, Magdalena, Lugarda and Elisabetha. No one came to America except my Grandpa Ferdinand. I assume they all died in Odessa or Kandel.

Ferdinand Lesmeister married Helena Diebert daughter of Ludwig Diebert of Kandel on October 1861 at Kandel. Her birth date is 1841 until death in 1913. There were 8 sons and 3 daughters born to this union.

My mother's father Martin Dillman was born in 1855 and died in 1900. Theresia (Doll) Dillman was born in 1855 and died in 1900. There were 6 children in their family.

I think they all lived in Kandel South Russia and came to America June 5, 1905 as a widow. Two daughters Eva and Anna stayed behind. Anna was married, and they were well to do. My mother sent for Eva and her husband later. Last we heard Anna and her family were driven to Siberia during World War II and all letters stopped.

All my family lives around here, 2 boys are farmers, 1 daughter runs "Harvey Have it for Handicapped", Rita works at Bismarck Capitol and 1 daughter in Jamestown is secretary at Conlins Furniture.

I am so glad to be going on this trip to see where our ancestors came from and what hardships they went through. Maybe we can find some of Aunt Ann's family, and her husband Lorenze Moser.

Christian Frank Klein, Carrington, North Dakota

My great-grandparents were Andreas Klein and Margaret (Laut) Klein, on my father's side. And my great-grandparent's on my mothers side were Christian Leir and Christinea (Gefroe) Leir came from Elsass, (Alsace) by Germany to Elsass Colony in South Russia. My grandparents were John (Joseph) Ripplinger and Francisca (Marquet) Leir came from Elsass Colony Russia too. My parents are Frank Klein and Christine (Ripplinger) Klein.

I was born at Knox, North Dakota May l, 1926 and received my 12 years of education at the public school of Silva, North Dakota.

On October 25, 1944 I was assigned for duty with the USA Naval Force, and was aboard military ships in the Pacific Ocean Theatre until my discharge September 6, 1946.

I was a bachelor farming and ranching for one and one-half years when I met Betty Richter of Selz, North Dakota. We were married on June 7, 1948 and within the next 20 years 12 children were born to us...6 boys and 6 girls. We lost 1 child at 4 months of age being born with a leakage of the heart. The 11 children are all married and we have been blessed with 30 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Betty and I farmed and ranched at Orrin, North Dakota for the first 8 years of our marriage. Then we purchased a farm 15 miles southeast of New Rockford, North Dakota not too far from Brantford, North Dakota.

In 1973 we purchased the Chieftain Motor Lodge which is a beautiful motel, restaurant, lounge and convention center in Carrington, North Dakota. We farmed, ranched and run the business in Carrington until 1984.

On February 11, 1997 my wife, Betty, had a massive heart attack and passed away. I then married Ann (Lesmeister) Striefel on October 24, 1998. Ann and I have a good life together.

We are looking forward to this trip to Odessa and the colonies where our ancestry came from and walk where they walked. It will be a fulfilling experience.

Agatha (Doll) Madison, Missoula, Montana

I was born to German-Russian immigrants on a North Dakota farm in Grant county. My mother, Rosa Kautzman, came to the US from Landau in 1900. My father, Joseph Doll, came from Katherinental in 1902. I lived on the family farm with my parents, sisters and brothers through eighth grade. That fall, my parents retired and moved to Glen Ullin, North Dakota. I graduated from Glen Ullin High School.

I went to work at First National Bank, Mandan, North Dakota. Here I met my husband, Alexander Madison. A few months after our marriage, we moved to Montana. My husband completed his degree in journalism at the University of Montana in Missoula. Our four children were exposed to college life at an early age; all have college degrees, and all have done postgraduate work. My husband passed away in January, 1993. He was an employee of the university for thirty-some years and director of the University Printing Department for 27 years. I continue to make my home in Missoula.

I was on the 1996, Journey to the Homeland Tour, and I look forward to visiting the homeland once more.

Michael M. Miller, Fargo, North Dakota

I have been Bibliographer for the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection and a member of the faculty at the North Dakota State University Libraries since 1967. My degrees are Bachelor of Science, Valley City State University, Valley City, ND; Master of Science and Master of Education, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. I attended elementary and secondary schools in Strasburg, ND, growing up speaking the English and German languages.

My home town of Strasburg was settled primarily by Germans from Russia immigrants who came to south-central North Dakota in the 1880s from the former German villages near Odessa, Ukraine. My Müller grandparents immigrated to North Dakota from the Catholic village of Krasna, Bessarabia. My Baumgartner grandparents immigrated to North Dakota from the Catholic village of Strassburg, Kutschurgan District, South Russia (today near Odessa, Ukraine).

I grew up speaking both English and German and became interested in the heritage, culture and history of my ancestors. An important focus throughout my life and career has been the preservation and documentation of our rich heritage within the German-Russian community in North America.

My hometown on the Dakota prairies became quite well-known, due to one of North Dakota's most famous native sons. Bandleader Lawrence Welk was born in a sod house on a farmstead near Strasburg homesteaded by his German-Russian parents.

Since June, 1994, I have been privileged to tour my ancestral villages of Strassburg and Krasna in southern Ukraine. I have directed annual tours for educating Americans of German-Russian heritage to their Ukrainian and Moldovan homeland villages in June, 1996; May, 1997; May, 1998; and May, 1999. The 1997 tour also included viewing cultural treasures of Russia in St. Petersburg.

In February, 1999, Prairie Public Television, Fargo, North Dakota, premiered the 60-minute videotape documentary, The Germans from Russia: Children of the Steppe, Children of the Prairie. The program has received a wonderful response from throughout North America. The documentary has received the prestigious Silver Telly Award from the Center for Creativity. Co-producers of the program were Bob Dambach, production manager at Prairie Public Television, and Michael M. Miller.

In March, 2000, Prairie Public TV, premieres a videotape documentary on the foodways and recipes of the Germans from Russia culture brought to the central and northern plains of North America.

My photography interests have developed into a rewarding experience that has enriched my life. Many global friendships have developed by traveling to do photography in North America and other international locations. My photo interest now focuses on historic architecture, the northern plains, and landscape.

Charles Snell, Bismarck, North Dakota

I am not German-Russian. I married into the "Herman Clan" and I'm coming along to share the experience. Actually, I can hardly wait to see the look on my father-in-law's face when we actually walk the streets of his parent's villages. I remember the look on my Swedish mother's face when she stood on the dirt pile that had been the house where her father was born. It will be fun.

As I mentioned, my mother's parents emigrated from Sweden and settled in the Roseau, Minnesota area. As for the name, "Snell", I have been told it is English but am not sure. My plans are to research it in the near future and scare the rest of the family. For all I know I could be German or German-Russian.

I was born in Billings, Montana and as a child we moved to the small town of Joliet, Montana. I graduated from the Joliet High School in 1957 and attended college for a time and worked as a fire fighter for the National Forest Service in the Gallatin Forest near Yellowstone National Park. For several years I worked in the Bee business, operated an ambulance service and was a car salesman. When I landed a sales job with a local gas and electric utility, I was looking for an even better job! After 32 years of selling appliances and managing the department, I retired to have a little fun.

My wife Melinda (Herman) Snell and I live in Bismarck, North Dakota; but travel quite a bit. We purchased a motorhome last year and have enjoyed traveling throughout the USA and Canada and plan to do a lot more of it. So far we have been in bits of 40 states and five Canadian Provinces. Matter of fact, if it weren't for this trip - we'd be out there right now! My four children and 12 grandchildren are scattered in North Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Kansas - so that gives us plenty reason to get out on the road. Just trying to keep away from the visitors.

My hobbies include travel, golf, woodworking, doing my "Honey Do" list and Chihuahua's (we have 3 - something no sane person would do!!) computer games and all of America's favorite pass time, watching the stock market. I'm looking forward to meeting fellow tour members and sharing this trip with my wife, father-in-law and brother-in-law.

*Melinda (Herman) Snell, Bismarck, North Dakota

If someone had asked me to choose an ideal vacation destination, I have to admit the Ukraine would never have come to mind. But about a year ago, my father came up with the idea of traveling to the area in Russia where his parents were born. The idea caught on and now that I've researched some family history, I can hardly wait to go. It will be a family adventure that includes my Father, brother, husband and myself.

I grew up in Gackle, North Dakota the daughter of a Norwegian/English/Irish mother and a German-Russian father. As a kid I called myself a "mutt" because most everyone I "paled" around with was a "purebred" German-Russian. When I was 5 years old my parents helped sponsor my Dad's cousin and his family from Germany. Their arrival by train to Jamestown, North Dakota was my earliest childhood memory. They had fled the Bessarabian village in the late 1930s, lived in East Germany during the war and escaped across the Berlin Wall to the West. Their arrival deeply influenced my life and has always made me feel very fortunate that my grandparents had the courage to immigrate to the United States.

After graduating from Gackle High School, I attended North Dakota State University and studied Home Economics and secondary education. In 1972 I graduated and took a job with a mid-western gas and electric utility. Throughout my nearly 27 years with this company, I lived in Billings, Montana, Mobridge, South Dakota and Bismarck, North Dakota. My husband was also employed at the same utility. We first met in 1972, but it took him about 15 years to buy me a cup of coffee!! We were married in 1988. In 1999 I decided it was time to join my husband in retirement - after all, he couldn't have all the fun!

This past year, our mutual "wanderlust" has been indulged. We purchased a RV and took to the open road in April 1999. Since then, we've traveled nearly 19,000 miles enjoying parts of 40 states and 5 Canadian Provinces!! We love it so much, we know this is just the beginning of our adventures. Along with travel we share our lives with 3 Chihuahuas (yes, they're spoiled rotten), 4 grown children, 12 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and a host of family near and far.

My passions include travel, counted cross stitch needlework, German Tole painting, movies, antiques and most recently genealogy research. I have great respect for people who have spent years investigating their "roots". My journey down the genealogy trail began as preparation for this trip - I wanted to be sure we walked the streets in the villages of our German-Russian ancestors. Along the way, I've met some wonderful people who've helped me with this research and actually "claimed" me as a distant cousin (can you imagine that?). It's all been quite a thrill; and I'm hoping this is just the beginning of an unforgettable adventure for all of us when we set foot in the Ukraine in June 2000.

Ronald J. Vossler, East Grand Forks, Minnesota

I'm a university teacher (literature and writing), and also a free-lance writer - of Black Sea German descent, (all my grandparents). Have written and published articles, fiction, reviews, and poems in a variety of journals and magazines. Have a son, Joshua, a 22 year old English-German-Art major at University of North Dakota. Purpose of this trip is to gather information/impressions/ideas on German-Russian history, particularly the 1933 "Terror Famine". (Third trip to Odessa and the "colonies").

Elizabeth (Madison) Williams, Missoula, Montana

I was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, the eldest child of Alexander P. Madison and Agatha (Doll) Madison. My father is German and my mother German from Russia. I attended the University of Montana and earned a degree in education and French. I have taught French and English as a second language, and currently I am the project director of bilingual and migrant education in Missoula Public Schools. My work with linguistically and culturally diverse students is very challenging and rewarding. I have two children, Alexander, who has graduated from high school and is working construction for a year before going on to college, and Elizabeth, who is a sophomore in high school.

My fondest memories of growing up in a German-Russian home are the delicious food and the millions of cousins. We have large family reunions with wonderful meals and talk of the good old days. I am fascinated with the stories my older cousins tell of growing up on the farm, attending school, and not being allowed to speak German at school.

My mother, Agatha Madison, and I participated in the 1996 Journey to the Homeland and feel very privileged to have again the opportunity to return to my grandparent's homeland. I look forward to visiting the orphanage in Landau, my grandmother's village. My motto: "Once is not enough."

Lorraine (Brossart) Zeiler, Didsbury, Alberta Canada

The Brossart genealogy began when Johannes Brossart immigrated to Selz, Russia approximately in 1808 from Rastatt area of Germany. He had 3 sons - Johannes born 1830 that stayed in Russia, Steven born 1832 came to Portland, Oregon area. And Valentine born 1844 immigrated to Scott, Saskatchewan.

Johannes (1830) had a large family. Oldest son Anton born 1857 stayed in Russia. Some of Johannes family immigrated to Rugby, North Dakota and some stayed in Russia. Anton (1857) also had a large family. The 3 oldest were: Anton (1881), Johannes (1883) and Joseph (1884). Anton stayed in Russia and since 1980s all immigrated to Germany.

Johannes (1883) who is my grandfather was in the Russian Army, and with the help of Jewish people - got him a passport and arranged a defection place and helped him escape to Romania, and to Rugby, North Dakota in 1905. His sweetheart, Magdalena Wald, and her mother Anna (Montgold) Wald came to Rugby, North Dakota a year later. Johannes and Magdalena married and immigrated to Allan, Saskatchewan, and her mother lived with them. They had 3 children - John, Ignatius (Nat) and Anna. Nat married Stella Scharbach and farmed the John brossart family farm. Nat and Stella had 3 children. Lorraine married Percy Zeiler, Latham married Donna Lussier and Harold married Diana Holowaychuk.

Lorraine Brossart married Percy Zeiler in 1957. We had 8 children. I am a St. Pauls Hospital Saskatoon registered nurse. My mother's ancestors "Scharbach's" came directly from Reute, Germany to Pennsylvania in 1858, and later to Ontario, Canada. My grandfather Felix Scharbach was the only one that homesteaded in western Canada in Saskatchewan. That was an easy family research. Felix married Magdalena Hegel. My mother's mother was Magdalena Hegel and she was born at Bowdle, South Dakota. Her parents immigrated from Russia - they were Joseph Hegel and Martha Senger. From Bowdle they came to Allan, Saskatchewan.

I, too am enjoying "semi-retirement" and as wives we never retire. I am looking forward to the Russian tour to see where my ancestors lived and walk the same streets.

Percy Zeiler, Didsbury, Alberta, Canada

My genealogy starts with Jakob and Johann Zeiler immigrating to Mariental and Franzfeld, Russia in 1808 from Linz-Passau area of Europe. We do not know if they are our ancestors, as there is no information until Matthew Zeiler of Mariental. He had 3 children - Felix (born approximately 1865) and had 2 daughters. Felix married Elizabeth Bitz and 6 of many children survived. The youngest being Roy Zeiler born 1990. In 1927 at age 17 Roy was nearing conscription into the Russian army - was sponsored by Bitz cousins in Canada, and he immigrated to Canada alone. Zeilers were very poor and all remained in Russia. Roy worked off his debt to the Bitz's. Roy married Helen Weninger in 193l and they had 4 sons - Reynold married Doreen Brossart, Edwin married Irene Weninger, Percy married Lorraine Brossart, Leo married Dorothy Bermel (second marriage to Gayle).

Roy and Helen homesteaded at Robin Hood, Saskatchewan till 1946 when they sold and moved back to Allan, Saskatchewan where all Helen's relatives lived. They continued to farm there as well. In 1975 Roy made a trip to Russia - a 3-week tour of museums etc., but it included a 5-day stay in Odessa. A neice and nephew from Karagunda came to visit him there. They spoke Russian and arranged a taxi ride to Mariental. The taxi driver never knew Roy was from Canada. Roy was disappointed when he saw the deteriorated Mariental. Roy passed away on March 1978. Were he alive today, what joy he would be in to see all his relatives now in Germany. Since "Glasnost" they are almost all out of Russia. Never in our wildest dreams, did we ever think we would meet our German-Russian cousins.

I was born in 1934, married Lorraine Brossart in 1957. We have 7 daughters and 1 son, all married and 18 grandchildren. One of our daughters - Janell lives in Klein St. Veit, Austria. She married Libert Kopplhuber in Didsbury. His parents immigrated from Austria to Didsbury when Libert was 6 years of age. They went to school together. Janell and Libert visited his relatives in Austria in 1992 and stayed as he is a journeyman carpenter. They have 3 boys.

On one of our visits to Austria we went to many villages near Linz area looking for Zeilers. We did find "Zeiler Hof". The "Zeiler Farm" nameplate is still on the house. The people that own it showed us a booklet starting in 1687 the Zeilers sold to their ancestors and left. No records of where they went or any first names.

The history of my mother Helen Wenninger begins in Obergrombach, Germany where Lorenz Wenninger with his wife Marianna left Obergrombach to Selz, South Russia in 1808 with 3 children. Oldest being Johannes. We've been to Obergrombach and found the names of Lorenz's siblings.

Johannes Wenninger had a son Albert and he married Magdalena (?) They immigrated to Hague, North Dakota in the late 1890s, with their family. Mary Sander with 5 children - Johannes, Frank, Steven, George and Catherine. Albert's oldest son Johannes was born 1876, married Margaret Vetter (Daughter of Valentine and Francisca Vetter of Linton, North Dakota). In 1906 Johannes and Margaret immigrated to Allan, Saskatchewan with 6 children. 3 more children were born at Allan - one was Helen who married Roy Zeiler. In 1923 Margaret died from an infection due to gall bladder surgery. Johannes and Margaret are buried at Allan.

We've not been able to trace the Zeilers back any further than I've mentioned. I am looking forward to seeing translated documents in a few years from Mariental and Selz.

I have always been in business for myself and sold our last business (fertilizer/chemical) in 1991 and retired. We began to spend our winters in Arizona in Good Life RV Park. I am looking forward to seeing Mariental where my dad grew up.

Permission to use any images from the GRHC website may be requested by contacting Michael M. Miller

North Dakota State University Libraries
Germans from Russia Heritage Collection
Libraries
NDSU Dept #2080
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: 701-231-8416
Fax: 701-231-7138

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