Letters from Russia
Forbidden for 50 Years We Are Writing to Our Relatives in America

Michael M. Miller, Germans from Russia Bibliographer
North Dakota State University Libraries, Fargo

Letters from Mathäus Günthner

As I spend a pleasant day with friends and colleagues, I wonder about the lives of our families, relatives, and friends living in Kazakhstan, in Siberia, Russia, and in the Ukraine.

"To Russia, from N.D., with love..." was the headline of an article that appeared in The Forum on Valentine's Day in February, 1993. Mathäus Günthner living in the heart of what used to be the former Soviet Union anxiously waits and reads letters from his relatives on the plains of Dakota. Perhaps today Mathäus and his family are reviewing correspondence from Sherrie Guenthner of Hazen or Loretta Huber Busch of Rugby.

Until 1991 the Guenthners and the Hubers in North Dakota did not know they had relatives in Russia. Bob Lind writes in The Forum, "Mathäus Günthner is a former teacher who is struggling to survive in his country's ruined economy in a city east of Moscow. Sherrie Guenthner does child care in her home in Hazen and does housekeeping. Mathäus' grandfather was a brother of Sherrie's great-grandfather." Sherrie lives on a thriving western North Dakota farm homesteaded by German-Russian immigrants from the steppes of Russia. Mathäus Günthner's ancestors once lived in these same villages in south Russia. Sherrie's ancestors decided to seek a new homeland in America. Her cousin, the parents of Mathäus Günthners's father decided to stay in Russia. They suffered the tragic fate of thousands of our German-Russian people who were sent to Siberia.

"Mathäus' letters told of a grim life. Mathäus, now 77, and his wife, 69, live in a city of 500,000 people. Food is in short supply. Occasionally they can buy meat. Fruit and vegetables, when they're available, are expensive. About the only food that's plentiful is sauerkraut, and Mathäus says they're getting tired of it."

"He has stood in line from 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. to get food supplies sent from the United States. They can buy used clothing, but new clothing is not available. Mathäus says the city is contaminated by radioactivity. He has a telephone, but it's expensive and the rate continually climbs, so he may have to discontinue it."

Mathäus and his wife are of the Lutheran faith. They meet with other Lutheran families in homes. There are few, if, any churches. They hope and pray for a better life for their children and the thousands of ethnic Germans who will remain in the Commonwealth of Independent States, the former Soviet Union.

Sherrie Guenthner is deeply moved by the letters she receives. Mathäus writes, "We are happy that we have so many relatives in North Dakota. Many evenings we sit together and look at your pictures. We love you. We would love to see you. We would have so much to talk about. Too bad that we did not find you in such a long time. It took us over 50 years. You are very lucky your great-grandfather came to America or else you would be slaves like we are."

Sherrie's great-grandfather came to North Dakota 100 years ago in 1893. Since the early 1930's there has been no communication between his family in America and those left behind in Russia.

"When my Uncle Jakob and his family stayed with our parents in 1906 he asked them to travel to the United States with them. For two weeks Uncle Jakob and Aunt Katherine asked my parents if they would like to undertake the trip to a distant foreign country. Father did not want to and so we stayed in Russia," Mathäus wrote.

Unfortunately, the decision to stay in Russia resulted in much hardship such as being forced to work in labor camps. "We were the most repressed people. I am one of the few who still lives. I had to empty this bitter cup to the last drop," writes Mathäus.

In a letter dated December 12, 1993 Mathaüs Günthner writes in German: "It is not easy for me to write as I am already old. I was 78 on December 1. My health is not the best, my hands shake which is noticeable in my writing. However, as long as it is possible I will write to you.

The age of 78 is not very old, but if one remembers the hard life it is worth a medal. I was in the worker's army in the concentration camp without investigation and no trial. I was a person put behind barbed wire. The hard forced labor without human rights in general where one was regarded as working animals. Then the ten years of the special command post where everyone was declared special settlers for eternity. All that had moral consequences. There is still anarchy, murder, theft, corruption, mafia, and land deals in the country. No one wants to work, everybody is busy with business. Everyone wants to have his own shop to get rich. We will again have elections and this time done in the parliament. Again promises and afterwards little or nothing will be done for the people.

Just as it was under the former deported. They too promised much but did nothing for the people, the servants. They lived well without worries and did not care for the servants. They lived in Moscow in nice apartments and now in Moscow they will do the same, also. We know their song. We heard it for 75 years. We servants were poor as church mice and remain poor. The prices increase daily. If this continues our pension will not be enough for our daily bread. This year we have an early winter. In October the temperature was 15 below fahrenheit. We never had it this cold in Chelyabinsk. We hope to get through the winter with the help of god. If only civil war would not break out. Heavy fighting is in many former republics. For the time being it is warm and cozy in our homes with life in a two room apartment with central heat. Please excuse me for writing on such paper but a better one is not for sale.

Greetings to Dalton and Joe Huber, to Loretta Busch, and to Sherrie Guenthner in North Dakota and their families if you see them."

Sherrie Guenthner said it was wonderful to have found these relatives. "I would always think about those that stayed back and I always wondered if they were still alive. Mathäus wrote that he cried and cried when he got my letter because he was so happy to find family again."

Those of us who have been so closely involved with our letters from Russia have found this to be a most rewarding and touching experience. Perhaps no greater reward in life can be than to know one has reunited families after 50 years.

The German-Russians in the former Soviet Union learned about the heritage of the Germans from Russia in North Dakota by reading an article that appeared in the German-language newspaper, Neues Leben in April, 1991, which is widely read by German families throughout the CIS.

We have been helping families track down their relatives who immigrated to North Dakota and throughout the United States and Canada between 1870 and 1920.

Letters from Paul Krüger

Congressman Otto Krueger served three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1952 to 1958. His brother served a term in a slave labor camp in the Siberia.

Bernhardt Krüger was only 13 when he watched his 19-year-old brother, Otto Krueger, leave in 1910 for America. Bernhardt and his sister, Martha, decided to stay in Russia. The other eight children of Gottlieb and Helene Krüger all went to America, settling in Wells County, North Dakota.

In the Grand Forks Herald article of September 29, 1991, Lance Nixon writes, "In 1944, when Otto was thinking of running for state office in North Dakota, Bernhardt Krüger, at about age 47, was working in a labor camp in central Asia beside his son. Their crime was being German at a time when Germany and Russia were at war."

It is only now, as reforms are sweeping the former Soviet Union, that the descendants of the Krueger brothers and sisters who immigrated to the United States: Karl, Adoline, Maria, Emma, Julius, Leopold, Gustav, and Otto are learning what happened to the family members who stayed in Russia.

Paul Krüger has been writing to his relatives and to me sketching with letters what happened to his family in the Soviet Union. Paul writes, "Before the collectivism our family also had a small farm in Reinfeld, 2 or 3 horses, a few cows, sheep, and poultry. In 1933 we all had to go to the Kolkhoz or collective farm. In 1942 all Germans had to go to the so-called Trud army (properly said concentration camp). I was sent to a camp where I was building a train until June 1946 and was closely watched. My father came here later, but because he had a heart ailment he was dismissed in 1944. My brother Karl was in the camp where he worked in the coal mine until 1945. My mother was working during the war on a colchos."

In June of 1994, I spoke in German at the Bundestreffen in Stuttgart, Germany before an audience of 5,000 ethnic Germans. Held every two years, the Bundestreffen is a gathering of the Germans who have immigrated to Germany in recent years. Close to 50,000 people attended. On June 22, 1996, 70,000 German-Russians are expected to attend the Bundestreffen. The North Dakota State University Libraries will host the program, "America House for the Black Sea Germans."

There I met Paul Krüger for the first time. Paul immigrated to Siegen, Germany in April, 1994. We talked about his life in Siberia, immigration to Germany, and his Krueger relatives in America. Paul Krüger has begun to write his life story.

In April, 1994, Krueger relatives traveled to Germany to meet the Paul Krüger family. In December, 1994, I visited the Krüger home in Germany. His three sons and their families have also immigrated to Germany from Siberia.

Letters from Lena Dyck

But there were good people who were helpful. I was allowed to visit a hospital where I learned to be a nurse. Then again in 1937 and 1938 there was much terror. Among the Germans (in America) there are also some who have experienced the war. From 1943 to 1945 I was in Poland and Germany. Yet, we were caught and taken back to the Soviet paradise. We came to the Ural region. It was a cruel time during which we would hide our ancestry; we even were afraid to speak German. Even now we are afraid, our future is not bright and uncertain. Although there is glastnost in the country, the democracy spreads but we Germans still do not have justice: no school where German is taught, no churches, and no German customs. People are packing their suitcases yet where to go? Not all can go to Germany. If America would take us in my husband and my only daughter would go."

Letters from Antonina (Welk) Ivanova

I shall never forget the love and warmth of Antonina Welk Ivanova during my oral history interview. Upon returning to North Dakota, I informed Father Thomas Welk of Wichita, Kansas, who has done extensive Welk research. Antonina Welk Ivanova is related to the Welks in Emmons County, North Dakota, and is a relative to the late bandleader Lawrence Welk.

Ludwig Welk, father of Lawrence Welk, was born in 1864 in the village of Selz. Ludwig and his wife, Christina Schwahn were born in the village of Strassburg. They married in St. Michael's Basicilia in Selz which was the same church where Antonina Welk Ivanova, living today in Selz, made her first communion and worshipped with her family. Antonina and I walked together in the ruined church that stands today.

In a letter dated December 9, 1994, Antonina writes, "You know how we are -- always worse without hope for something better. The shops are empty and everything has risen in price ten times. We still have wood but not much coal for heating. We have to economize and then it will perhaps be enough to last through the winter." Antonina is now preparing for the upcoming winter months.

In Antonina's letter of March 28, 1995, she writes, "Before there was much baking to do preparing for Easter. Now people don't know if there is something to bake. Everything is expensive. We need flour, eggs, butter, sugar, milk and vanilla."

In December, 1994, I was privileged to interview Rosa (Martin) Welk in Einbeck, Germany. Rosa was 104 in April. She grew up in the village of Karlsruhe [Beresan Enclave}, South Russia. She was a nurse in the village of Strassburg where my grandparents, Michael and Odelia (Wolf) Baumgartner once lived before immigrating to south-central North Dakota in the 1880s. Rosa is the aunt to Antonina Welk Ivanova.

Antonina writes to Father Thomas Welk, "My garden is burning up, and the potato beetles ate up my potatoes this spring."

The Valentina Connection--The Joining of Hearts

In April 1992 second cousin Valentina of Odessa corresponded with her first cousin Robert near Washington D.C. because her grandmother Klara-Augustina and his mother Melita were sisters of the Drefs family:

"Dear Robert!

We were very happy, when received your letter, because we didn't think, that we shall find you. When all hope is gone, we received your letter."

"...Dear Robert!

In your letter you spoke about Andrew (Andronov), {A United Nations Associate} I rung up him {via telephone} He hope to see you in Odessa. It will be wonderful to see you. Welcome to us." ..."I can read English only with help of a dictionary. I think that we shall Understand one another. I wish you joy and hope..."

Valentina cannot speak English, only reading limited English self-taught from a dictionary. Valentina had not yet received Robert's reply, when both cousins had written letters within one day in mid April, 1992. Persistent in family ties, Valentina repeats in her second letter:

"Dear uncle Robert!

We were very happy, when received your letter, because we didn't think, that we shall find out you. When all hope is gone, we received your letter." ..."I beg your pardon. I will be waiting for your letters with pleasure: Would you kindly say it again. Write it down. We are be-waiting for letter, hope to see you again! Keep in touch! We are glad to see you; to give consideration to yours." ..."I think that we shall understand one another We hope to see you again soon!...I am anxious to hear from you. Repeatedly Kiss."

Robert writes a diary-letter to Valentina and family August 1992, after visiting Odessa within four months of Valentina's imploring letters:

"There hasn't been a day since I returned home {to Washington D.C.} that I have not thought about the wonderful visit with you in Odessa. For the next pages, I want to re-live these marvelous moments. Maybe you have thought about it too."

For translation purposes of using double spacing in letter text, Robert continues,

"I got so excited about writing that I forgot to continue the extra spacing between lines."

..."But I know when you did greet us with hugs and kisses. I wasn't off the {cruise ship} gangplank when someone grabbed me--it was Melita. My, what a greeting! It's been a long time since I got such a good hug. Then it was Valentina's turn and then back and forth. What a wonderful moment. "I wasn't dreaming and it was true. And then my wife Margaret, got her hugs and kisses too. And those beautiful gladiolas and roses."

When returning from a gloriously scheduled city tour of Odessa, Robert and his wife returned to their appointed family rendezvous, recounting:

I saw two people walking toward me. Yes, Melita and Basil were hurrying toward me. We had another warm greeting and Valentina grabbed my arm, put her head on my shoulder and as we walked to the {taxi stand }. Balentia clung to me so hard, there was no chance of escaping, not that I wanted to"..."It was a thrill for us both." {as cousins}.

"One doesn't have to know the language to get the message of love."

After returning by taxi from a generous family reception at Melita and her daughter Valentina's apartment, Robert continues about the Farewell encore:

"As we were visiting by the {cruise} ship before I got on board, someone grabbed me from behind. It was Melita. She had taken a taxi along with her {granddaughter} Svetlana to the pier. She {Melita} couldn't stand it that I was still on Odessa soil and she wasn't there. We had practiced hugging most of the day, so she was in good shape for more. {when reminiscing earlier} back to their apartment, when I {first greeted} Melita as I entered the apartment I gave her a big hug and lifted her into the air. When she touched the floor, she tried to lift me in the air as well."

"You have to be there to get the full impact of the emotion. It was simply WONDERFUL! Cousin Melita was so overwhelmed with it all, she cried for joy a number of times, from the time we met at the {cruise} ship until we left {Odessa} on the {cruise} ship."

..."She had {difficulty} believing this {reunion} was real, particularly after they had given up all hope of locating relatives in America--until the message {my} sister Melita received from the North Dakota State University, Germans from Russia archives, that some {family} relatives were trying to contact us. This was one off the most fortuitous happenings. Which came to my attention AFTER I had booked the cruise {to Odessa}. I had expected only to visit the city, seeing where my mother lived and worked."

Robert returned from Odessa to his home with such family momentos as a full-size polished brass Samavar (Turkish coffee maker) which he hand-carried in transit for 23 jet-flight hours--and other family treasures dating to 1877.

Robert continues in his diary letter to thank the conscientious network of correspondence translators and family genealogical researchers concerning Germans from Russia heritage, especially from North Dakota, prior to his cruiseship tour, concluding with, "I am thankful to the Good Lord for these blessings."

This completes the Valentina connection!

Conclusion

Had it not been for the article read by Paul Krüger in the April, 1991 issue of the German newspaper Neues Leben published in Moscow he would likely never have written to me at NDSU. We would never have located is American Krueger relatives.

Since the letters began to arrive in 1991 our correspondence has been important to documenting and preserving the history and culture of our people in the former Soviet Union.

This is the story of our letters from Russia. Forbidden for 50 years they are now writing to their relatives in America.

Let me extend an invitation to visit us at North Dakota State University. The Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at the NDSU Libraries is one of the major resource collections in North America and the world.

My special thanks to all those involved with the Conference for inviting me to join you.