Journey to the Homeland Tour
– Odessa, Ukraine & Stuttgart, Germany

North Dakota State University Libraries sponsored tour

May 17-28, 2007

Theresa Berg, Seattle, Washington

German Villages: Kassel and Klein Neudorf, Glueckstal District; Eigenheim, Mannsburg and Plotzk, Bessarabia

I was born in Silverton, Oregon in 1954 and was raised in Portland. At age 18, I moved to Seattle, Washington to attend Seattle Pacific College and have lived here since then. I received a B.A. in Psychology in 1976. I have worked in the export business for the last 14 years with the last 8½ years at Tradewinds Freight Forwarding where we specialize in the export of Washington State apples and California grapes, citrus and stone fruit all over the world. In 1994, I married Michael Hurlock who works as a longshoreman on the Seattle waterfront. I am an active member of Lakeridge Lutheran Church.

Genealogy, family history and the “pioneer” days have fascinated me since I was a young girl. Two family history books, which each of my grandmothers, had piqued my interest. I pored over these books and made hand-drawn family trees and wrote down all the information that pertained to my family.

My paternal side is 100% Germans from Russia! My father’s paternal side is Mennonites from Prussia (near Danzig) and later the Molotschna colonies in Russia with names such as Bärg, Wiens, Fröse, Balzer, Neumann and Peters.

My father’s maternal side was Lutheran with various origins, one from Württemburg to the Glückstal colonies (Neudorf, Klein Neudorf, Kassel) with the names Schmierer, Bohnet, Jenner and Müller. The Schlechters are also from Württemberg but settled in Plotzk, Bessarabia. All families immigrated to Kansas and the Dakotas in the late 1800’s and my particular line to California at the turn of the 20th century.

I have gathered a lot of information on these families and have compiled a “book” with text, photos and maps. Ultimate Family Tree is my software of choice.

I belonged to AHSGR for several years and have belonged to GRHS for quite a few years. I have attended conventions in Bismarck, Rapid City, Yakima (AHSGR) and Portland.

JoAnne Beringer, Billings, Montana

German villages: Bergdorf and Kassel, Glueckstal District

I am a CPA who is self-employed and work primarily with automobile dealers across the U.S. I am married to Henry Dater and have three adult sons.

I love to travel and learn about other cultures. I read primarily nonfiction books, mostly historical. I have studied a full range of Russian history. I also like to watercolor and am a relatively compulsive knitter.

I have traveled to every state with the exception of Alaska and South Carolina, but I may have that done by the time of this trip. I have also traveled to Scotland, Spain, France, Moscow, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Australia, Canada & Mexico.

Carolyn S. Weisz Cave, Enterprise, Alabama

German villages: Bergdorf, Kassel and Marienberg, Glueckstal District

I was born in Cooperstown, North Dakota to Adam and Merle (Martin) Weisz. We lived in Sutton, North Dakota where my father was a wheat farmer. When I was 7 years old, we moved to north Florida where my father became a cattle rancher. My husband is a retired Army officer. During his career we had two tours in Germany; one in Frankfurt and one in Schweinfurt. I retired as a Budget Analyst after 26 years of government civil service. We have two sons, and four grandchildren. Our oldest son is a career Air Force officer and had tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Our younger son is an Electrical Engineer in Gainesville, Florida.

My grandparents, Jacob and Pauline (Ketterling) Weisz, lived in Lehr, North Dakota. I loved my grandmother’s cooking, particularly kuchen and cheese buttons. Sometimes when we went to visit she would have a sheet on the bed covered with drying noodles. Her chicken noodle soup was great and her dill pickles were the best ever. I can still almost smell the kuchen cooling on her kitchen table – all kinds covered the whole table. Since she had twelve children she cooked in huge quantities.

My mother began the work of researching our family history. After her death, my sister, Janis Piotrowski, continued this work. She has made great strides in organizing and verifying the information. While I have not been involved in the research I am attending the tour with my sister. I am very excited to learn more about our ancestors.

My Grandparents:
Jacob Weisz, son of Philipp Weisz and Christina Barbara Rau
Philipp Weisz, (known sometimes as Philipp Werner Weiss, but I now believe that is incorrect) son of Christoph Weiss and Christina Kramer
Christina Barbara Rau, daughter of Jacob Friedrich Rau and Anna Maria Knorr

Pauline Ketterling, daughter of Jacob Ketterling and Katharina Bosche
Jacob Ketterling, son of Jacob Phillip Ketterling and Catharina Barbara Pietz
Katharina Bosche, daughter of August Bosche and Elizabeth Barbara Martel

Melissa (Gilbertson) Graham, Spokane, Washington

I was born in Spokane, Washington in 1965. To date I am a life-long resident of the area. I went to Rogers High School and Eastern Washington University where I earned my degree in education. I was married in the summer of 1987 to Craig Graham and we have six sons and one daughter.

Family History
To date I have been working on my father’s side of our family tree. This side of the family originates from Norway and Sweden. I have no German descendants that I know of to date. I am taking this trip for the educational experience and to accompany Ruth Wallender on her enlightenment to her ancestor’s homeland.

MaryAnn Keller, Des Moines, Washington

German villages: Kandel & Neu Kandel (primary village), Baden, Elsass, Mannheim, Selz and Strassburg, Kutschurgan District

I lived on a farm near Strasburg, ND until I was eight years old. My younger brother Jimmy and I attended St. Benedict’s Grade and High School at Strasburg. We were the youngest of six children; our siblings were grown. My brother passed away two years ago this May, 2007 (Jimmy).

I live in Des Moines near Seattle,WA. I have four grown children and eight grandchildren. I have been active with my family, community and church. I had a small business for several years. I am now retired and enjoy my home, community, grandchildren and some traveling.

My mother, Margaret Heintz Keller was born in New Kandel. My grandparents, Regina Bitz Heintz, Anton Heintz, and Peter Keller were all born in Elsass, Kutschurgan District, today near Odessa, Ukraine. Peter married Katherine Buechler who was born in Mannheim, Ukraine. My great grandparents were also born in the Catholic Kutschurgan District in the same village my great great grandparents were born—Mannheim, Germany and the Roppenheim, Alsace, France area.

I will be forever grateful to my mother for telling us about our heritage. The German Russian people are strong in character and loyal.

I am excited to see and touch my mother and grandparents’ birthplaces. I am looking forward to the trip and to meeting new people.

Dr. Robert Chemers Kelsch, Ann Arbor, Michigan

German villages: Rosenthal, Crimea

My father said our name should be spelled Köhsch, I use 3 spellings Kelsch, Köhsch and Koelsch.

My father was born in Rosenthal, Crimea in 1890. His parents emigrated to North Dakota (Linton area Emmons County) in 1892.

In Karl Stumpp’s book Kelsch Franz is listed in the Revision Liste of 1816 – his son Joseph – was my great-great-great grandfather

Joseph Kelsch m Barbara Buchmüller (father Anderus Büchmoller from Vbstadt/Bruchsal-BA)
Andreis Kelsch m Katherina Moch (grandfather Peter Moch
from Kronau/Bruchsal-BA)
Frederick Kelsch married Helena Bosch (great grandfather Ignatius Bosch
from Sulzbach/Mannheim-BA)
(All in the Stumpp revision list of 1816: 4 emigrants from North Baden 1804?)

Clemens F. Kelsch married Mary Roche 1926
Robert C. Kelsch

Therefore I know the north Baden villages of emigration on the woman’s side – not listed for Franz. Oral family history (weak) suggests he came from Lorraine – there are several large Kelsch lines in the Pfaltz just west of North Baden and also in the part of Lorraine just south of Pfaltz. Other Kelschs were sent from Rosenthal between 1928 and 1940 to Kazackstan. I am hoping I can find Fran’s birth place through local Kelsch in that area or through oral history from German returning to Germany in the late 1900’s.

I am a retired professor of Pediatrics from the University of Michigan. I was born in Bismarck, N.D. My father was a lawyer and a western North Dakota credit judge. I graduated with a B.A. from St. John’s University in MN, and a M.D. from St. Louis University. I was a captain in the U.S. Army 1955-57 (lived in Würtzburg, Germany and Bordeaox, France and residency in pediatrics at University of Michigan.

Theresa M. Kelsch, Ann Arbor, Michigan

I am not of German or Russian ancestry. My background is Italian. My grandparents came from Southern Italy and Rome.

My background includes a Master of Science and Master of Social Work degrees from Simmons College in Boston, 1953-55-57. I have worked with Polio patients and children with birth defects at University of Michigan Hospitals.

I met my husband Robert almost 50 years ago. His family from Mandan are wonderful people. The children and I have been to Mandan/Bismarck 27 times over the past 44 years.

Ten years ago my husband became interested in genealogy of Russian Germans. We hope this trip will give us answers to his questions.

Donald Kost, Washburn, North Dakota

German villages: Güldendorf and Hoffnungstal, Odessa District; Lichtenfeld and Worms, Beresan District

I was born Oct. 5, 1946 at Wilton, North Dakota. My parents were Albert and Eunice (Keck) Kost. I grew up on a farm north of Washburn, North Dakota, where I attended school, 1-12.

I graduated from Dickinson State College in 1968. I served in the army for 2 years, taught school for three years and then returned to farm and ranch on the “home” place.

I never married and have no children.

Diane Cragg Lewis, Lousana, Alberta

German villages: Glueckstal, Neudorf, Glueckstal District; Freudental, Friedenstal and Liebental, Bessarabia – main villages; Kassel, Glueckstal District; Grossliebental; and Arzis, Bessarabia – secondary villages.

My grandparents John Bischke and Katharina Forchert came to South Dakota in the late 1880’s and were married in 1902. Grandpa John, his siblings and parents came from Neudorf, Russia (north of Odessa) grandma Katherina was born in Friedenstal Bess & traveled to the U.S.A. with her mother, step-father and two sisters.

My great-grandparents, grandparents and great uncles and aunts homesteaded in 1903 south of Medicine Hat, Alberta. My grandparents spoke German, but very little English—I only have one aunt still living (mom passed away in 1988).

I’ve been doing genealogy for about 30 years but the majority of the Bischke ancestor’s research has been compiled by cousins.

My husband passed away five years ago and I am a retired professional photographer. I have a passion for genealogy and travel. I have always wanted to see the country and homes of my ancestors. In 2000, I was fortunate enough to travel to Scotland and England and see where my paternal side originated (also Ontario has been genealogy stops). South Dakota will certainly be next on my list. I have joined the Glueckstal Colonies Research Association and will be ordering some of your books for pre-trip researching too.

Michael M. Miller, Fargo, North Dakota

German villages: Straßburg, Kutschurgan District, and Krasna, Bessarabia
Michael writes, “My first visit to the villages of Straßburg and Krasna in June of 1994 is an experience I shall never forget. I was especially touched by the warmth and friendship of the local villagers. I returned to Odessa and to the home of the late Antonina (Welk) Ivanova in the village of Selz in December 1995, where I completed a cassette tape interview in German. Antonia died in October, 1998.”
Michael was raised in Strasburg, North Dakota, learning to speak English and German. His college degrees are from Valley City State University and the University of North Dakota. He has been on the North Dakota State University Libraries staff since 1967, where he compiled the annotated bibliography, Researching the Germans from Russia, published by the Institute of Regional Studies, NDSU, 1987.
He serves as Director and Bibliographer of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, NDSU Libraries. Since 1999, he has been an executive producer with Prairie Public Television, Fargo. The award winning “Germans from Russia Documentary Series” includes: 1) The Germans from Russia: Children of the Steppe, Children of the Prairies (1999); 2) Schmeckfest: Food Traditions of the Germans from Russia (2000); 3) Prairie Crosses, Prairie Voices: Iron Crosses of the Great Plains (2002); 4) A Soulful Sound: Music of the Germans from Russia (2005); and 5) We’ll Meet Again in Heaven (2006).
He has visited Odessa and the former German villages since 1994 including the 13th Journey to the Homeland Tour for 17 May – 28 May 2007.
Janis Weisz Piotrowski, Tallahassee, Florida

German villages: Bergdorf, Kassel and Marienberg, Glueckstal District

While I have lived in Florida for over 50 years, I was born in Sutton, North Dakota to Adam and Merle (Martin) Weisz. We lived in North Dakota until I was 12, when we moved to north Florida where my parents bought 500 acres and became cattle ranchers. My late husband and I have five sons, and seven grandchildren, all living in the Tallahassee area. I have worked for the last 47 years at a local law firm as a paralegal and office manager. I am still working part time, but my weekends have finally gotten longer than my work weeks so I am heading in the right direction.

My grandparents Jacob and Pauline (Ketterling) Weisz lived in Lehr, North Dakota, and I remember visiting them at Christmas and other holidays as well as other times. One of my best and strongest memories is going to church with my parents and grandparents in Lehr on Christmas Eve and hearing them sing with the rest of the congregation, “Silent Night (Stille Nacht)” in German. Of course that was followed by Kuchen in Grandma’s kitchen.

My mother began the work of researching our family history. This didn’t particularly interest me at the time, but when she grew older and could no longer continue, it was passed on to me. In the process of getting it organized, I was hooked, and I have continued to make additions and corrections to what she started.

I am very proud of my “Germans from Russia” heritage and the pioneering spirit that has been passed down through the generations. This trip to Russia seems like a large adventure to me, even in modern times, and I can only imagine how it must have been for our ancestors who left Russia to come to America with so many uncertainties and unknowns to make a new home in the Dakotas. I hope to get a better feel for what they left on this trip.

My Grandparents:

Jacob Weisz, son of Philipp Weisz and Christina Barbara Rau
Philipp Weisz, (known sometimes as Philipp Werner Weiss, but I now believe that is incorrect) son of Christoph Weiss and Christina Kramer
Christina Barbara Rau, daughter of Jacob Friedrich Rau and Anna Knorr

Pauline Ketterling, daughter of Jacob Ketterling and Katharina Bosche
Jacob Ketterling, son of Jacob Phillip Ketterling and Catharina Barbara Pietz
Katharina Bosche, daughter of August Bosche and Elizabeth Barbara Martel

Marlene Strand, Wilton, California

German Villages: Kloestitz, Bessarabia

I was born and raised in Sacramento, California, my father was Nicolaus Peter Scharosch (a German from Hungary descent), born in Richardton, ND to Peter and Margaret Schultz Scharosch. My mother was Mathilda Flath (a German from Russia descent), born in Lodi, CA to Johann and Christina Gottschalk Flath.

I grew up surrounded by my father’s family who had left their farm in North Dakota in the mid 1930’s and headed to California in search of jobs and a better life for the family. They all settled in Sacramento.

My mother’s family came to America from Kloestitz, Bessarabia in 1897, settling first in the Java/Bowdle, SD area and later moving to the Ruff/Wilson Creek area of Washington State in 1902, where they has heard the weather and farming was much better. In 1910, they moved to Lodi, CA where they purchased some acreage and my grandfather was able to have a small vineyard. I only knew them in their later years after they had moved into town.

Lodi is a fast commute today, but was considered a big trip when I was growing up. Once a month my brothers, parents and myself piled into the family car and we were off to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa Flath. They never spoke English, and we were never encouraged to learn German, so we never had conversations with them, thus missing out on all the wonderful stories of their lives they might have shared with us.

Their house was small and very simple with no frills. A single light bulb hung from the ceiling of their living room, and the house was heated by Grandma’s wood burning cook stove. Us kids learned many lessons of patience as we sat quietly in hard wooden chairs lining the walls as the elders chatted back and forth in German.

Growing up I didn’t have much interest in where either of my grandparents came from, although my grandmother Scharosch did talk a lot about her growing up. I knew all my grandparents were German, which made me German, and that was enough for me.

It wasn’t until my first child was born in 1963, when I was filling out a family tree in her baby book, and asked my mother for her parents’ birthdates and places of birth. Even then I’d never heard of Kloestitz, Bessarabia…and the years went by with very little more said.

Going though my mother’s things after her death in 1997, I spotted two small hand decorated boxes I recognized as my Grandmother Flath’s. Among the contents were many letters written to my grandparents with return addresses from Washington State, Romania, Kloestitz, Bartenbach, and Lautenbach.

It took me two years to finally find a man in South Dakota to translate the German script, and the information they revealed started a relationship with my grandparents that I’d never had during their lifetime.

Researching their lives, and learning about the history of the times has given me a greater appreciation for who they were, the hardships they endured and made me aware of my heritage and the responsibility I have to record and pass on this information for future generations.

I can’t believe after 110 years I actually have an opportunity to return to the land of my grandparents…the land they loved, yet left, along with their families, for a better life in America.

Wallace Theodore Strand Jr., Wilton, California

Being married to a German Russian descendant has rekindled my interest in the region of Southern Russia (Ukraine). The history of that region has always been of interest to me, and I’m anxious to see it in person.

Marilyn Beringer Wade, Billings, Montana

German villages: Bergdorf and Kassel, Glueckstal District

I am a retired sixth grade teacher who has always been interested in history, geography and other cultures. Part of that I attribute to the stories I heard from my grandparents both from southern Russian German colonies. My grandmother shared many interesting stories. I wish I had listened better and recorded them.

I have done some genealogical work and have a fair grasp on the family lines and historical events that created the need to settle in North Dakota. I am always ready to learn more.

Ruth Biech Wallender, Spokane, Washington

Ancestral villages: Kulm and Leipzig, Bessarabia

My grandfather and grandmother on my father’s side and my mother’s side were from the Kulm and Leipzig, Bessarabia area. Grandfather Biech homesteaded in the Harvey and Goodrich area in North Dakota. He had one brother Jacob and a sister Karoline that came first. My father’s mother died in 1906 in a snow storm. The older girls raised the younger. In about 1907 the Biech family went to Washington and then to Canada to homestead again. My grandfather remarried in Washington. The oldest girls married but we didn’t know much about them until later on. My mother’s two sisters married my father’s brothers and stayed in Beulah, North Dakota. We knew all of them. I got married to Oscar Wallender in 1947 and we came to Spokane in 1956.

Oscar was a baker for Continental Baking Co. for 31 years. I have been doing upholstery for 40 years. Oscar has restored several cars since he retired. One was the Model T Ford that his father bought new in 1926. We brought it to Washington and in the 70s, restored it and then donated it to the Mercer County Historical Society in Beulah, North Dakota; back home, where it was from. I have my father’s 1974 Chevy Impala he bought from Liebelt in Beulah. It doesn’t need to be restored, it looks like new. It is hard to part with these things. To think of how it was for our people then, knowing they would not return and to have to leave family and all of your things had to take courage. I’m not sure I that I could have done it.

I was always interested in finding my family but with having my own I didn’t have much time. We had two boys, Raymond and Randy. Ray was in Vietnam in 1969 and spent a lot of time in the hospitals injured. He was discharged from the service in 1974 on disability and died in 1992. We lost Randy in 1974. But we have two grandsons! Both of them are Ray’s boys. Christ is in Portland and Tyrel lives in Spokane. We see both of them often. I most of all want them to remember who their ancestors are. That is the reason for wanting to go on this tour to find more about them and what they went through to get to America. If not for them, we would not be here either.

Oscar’s family was from the Crimean area and I have some information on them. His mother was Sarah Lennick, married to Alex Wallender. They had two girls, Hildegard and Agnes, and two boys, Edgar and Oscar. Edgar married Doris Kessler. Edgar died in Spokane. Also Hildegard married Gilbert Fischer and then Lyle Jurey. The Wallenders were from Zurichtal, Crimea, Ukraine and I believe Switzerland.

Edwin F. Zuern, Bismarck, North Dakota

German villages: Bergdorf, Glueckstal villages; Borodino and Tarutino, Bessarabia

I was born on February 8, 1933, and adopted by wonderful German Russian folks, Emma (Fandrich) and Fred Zuern and grew up on a farm in Hazen, ND. I, received a Bachelor of Theology degree from Yankton College, Yakoton, SD, a Masters Degree in Sociology from the University of Montana, Missoula, MT, and a Juris Doctorate (Law) from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND.

I taught Business Law and Sociology at the UND Williston Center (now Williston State College) and then, for 24 years, served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of North Dakota at the Capitol in Bismarck. Throughout those years, I did a great deal of supply preaching so upon retirement, I began serving churches as an interim pastor. To date, I have served six different churches in the United Church of Christ denomination in North Dakota and Hawaii.

My wife, Louise Johnson Zuern, and I have three children and three grandchildren.

My paternal grandfather, Johann Zuern (Zurn) was born 10 Dec. 1862, in Bergdorf. His wife, my grandmother, was Elizabeth Zweygardt, daughter of David Zweygardt, was born 11 November 1863 in Hoffnungstal. They arrived in America in 1893 on the SS Lahn, a North German Lloyd, and came to Tyndall, South Dakota. Grandfather died on 26 November 1931.

The Zuerns came from Adolsfuhrt, Oehringen/Württemberg.

My maternal grandfather, Ferdinand Fandrich, was born 7 January 1862, in Tarutino, Bessarabia. His wife, my maternal grandmother, Barbara Wallowein, was born 20 July 1862, in Borodino or Berismia (sp). They were married in 1883 in Kloesititz Bessarabia. Grandmother died in Hazen, ND, on 10 August 1945, and grandfather died there on 11 March 1946.

The Fandrich family came from either Salaski or Tarnow, Poland.

Louise Johnson Zuern, Bismarck, North Dakota

Ancestral villages: Oslo and Bergan, Norway

I was born Dec. 3, 1936, to Norwegian parents Arthur and Clara (Nygaard) Johnson in Tacoma, Washington.

I attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, as a music major (harp) and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree and a major in Occupational Therapy. I worked in both adult rehabilitation and pediatrics.

Also, I am a professional harpist and am a member of two symphony orchestras and am sometimes imported to play with other orchestras. Also, I perform for weddings, banquets, luncheons, special programs and church services.

My husband, Edwin Zuern, and I have three children and three grandchildren.

John Zuern, Honolulu, Hawaii

German villages: Bergdorf, Glueckstal villages (Zuern); Borodino and Tarutino, Bessarabia (Fandrich)

I am the son of Edwin F. Zuern and Louise Nygaard Johnson Zuern. I was born on March 29, 1964, in Missoula, Montana, and grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota. I spent a great deal of my youth working on the Zuern family farm in Hazen, North Dakota. My paternal grandfather, Fred Zuern, was born in Bergdorf.

In 1984, as an undergraduate student at Moorhead State University, I undertook a research project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities to examine some of the literature in German and English written by German-Russians. That project led me to my interest in the study of literature and language, and I completed a PhD in comparative literature at the University of Texas at Austin in 1995.

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, Hawaii, where I teach classes in literature, writing, and electronic media. I am working on a novel, part of which is set in the German-Russian villages of my ancestors. In addition to the pleasure of accompanying my parents Ed and Louise on the Homeland Tour, I am hoping that trip will give me a more intimate sense of the landscape around the Glückstal colonies and a better understanding of the history and culture of the people who lived there.