Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Jack Aufderheide: 90th Birth Anniversary

by Jim Graupner

(Note: I'm hoping to have this posting on the 90th anniversary of the birthdate of John "Jack" Herman Aufderheide replaced by one from his son, Jim Aufderheide. For now, the following is a brief sketch of the life of this important family and community figure.)

Jack Aufderheide was the second of four children born to Karl Herman and Clara Weddendorf Aufderheide, which included: Carl "Carly" John (1913), [Jack], Robert George and Ruth Helen--twins-(1919).

Jack married Norma Joyce Stephenson (born 30 June 1920, in Lake Wilson, MN) on 23 November 1941, in New Ulm. Jack and Joyce had four children: Steven John (1943), Kay Anne (1946), James Melvin (1949), and William Robert (1957).

[In the family portrait above, from left: Jim, Kay, Joyce, Jack, William, and Steven].

There was always this aura about Jack Aufderheide: World War II serviceman, great familyman, sports enthusiast, hunter extraordinaire, collector of old automobiles, community leader, steward of the New Ulm historical museum, operations manager for the Aufderheide Brickyard, to name only a few of his many endeavors.

The homes in which the family lived were all amazing. I visited Jack and Joyce once in their residence on 300 South Broadway, the home that Joyce lovingly furnished with an array of period antiques and family heirlooms, including a restored tool chest brought from Germany by Jack's grandfather, Frederick Aufderheide. The bricks of the house and public sidewalk (the only one of its type remaining in New Ulm) were produced by Fred Aufderheide at his brickyard, founded in 1975.

[Note: for a wonderful story of the Jack and Joyce Aufderheide home, The New Ulm Sunday Review Journal, March 12, 1967, ran a feature filled with photos, entitled: "This Old House Is Full of Antiques." ]

1 comment:

Anne said...

What an absolutely wonderful reason for a blog! Thanks for stopping by; otherwise, I might never have discovered your geneology project.