Background and Early History

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This is taken from the Lummerding Book, Theodore and Karolina Lummerding Family History 1994, and acknowledges Del Lummerding and Norbert Lummerding for their work in helping to compile the book, from which a lot of my information comes.

Search of Family History - Germany and United States

My interest in our family history became active in the early 1980's. Subsequently in July 1985, accompanied by my mother Arcs and my daughter Diana, I visited the Mosel region in Germany including the towns of Ned and &11. It was a short visit but a great experience. The river valley and adjoining countryside is very beautiful. Further interest and research led to my next trip in February 1986 when my brother Norbert and I toured various location in Wisconsin and visited several cousins. We were received with interest and gracious hospitality.

At this time l will acknowledge some of the people who have assisted me in putting together this history.

1. Mr. Otto Munster of Bray, Germany, is a retired school teacher whose hobby is researching family histories. He was a great help in 1985-86 to locate and translate old church and town records.

2. Our cousins in Wisconsin:

a) Rudy Hartlaub - Manitowoc - took us to St. Wendel's Church in Cleveland.

b) Merry Hoffman - Black Creek - Rueden family history.

c) Mary Downs - Appleton - Lummerding family history.

d) Norman Serin - Lyndon Station - Lummerding family history.

e) Agnes & John Bonde - Rib Lake - took us to visit Theodore and Caroline's original
farm site.

3. Other family members:

a) Aunt Margaret Schlosser - Bruno, Saskatchewan
b) Uncle Tony Lummerding - Vernon, B.C.
My mother Agnes and brother Norbert - Bruno

4. Typing credits and assistance.

My niece, Rita Pomedli, and my daughter, Diana Lummerding To these
and all others who helped me in this project, I extend my tamest and heartfelt thanks.

St. Wendel Cemetery

My great-grandparents rest here,
their stones barely decipherable.
Vine-dressers from the old country
From Neef on the Mosel
where an endless ribbon
of steep vineyards
follows the twisting rivers
where the warm slate-stone soil
favors the grape.

They came to Amerika
to Wisconson's town of Mosel
to work the new land,
a farmer's rich sweet soil.
To raise nine children
in freedom and peace.
To raise a rough log church
with fellow immigrants
refugees from desperate Prussian power.

Bones of a fresh fatherland new wine to slake an ageless thirst.

Mary L. Downs
2600 Heritage Woods Drive
Appleton, WI 54915
(414) 733-2168

Signature

Del Lummerding