Carol Gieseke Baer: 84th Birth Anniversary

by Jim Graupner

[Carol Gieseke Baer, born 26 October 1923 in New Ulm]

Ironically, I spent the entire day working with Carol's letters to Gertrude, yet missed the fact that today would be her 84th birthday anniversary. Carol grew up in New Ulm and graduated from DMLC as a Lutheran elementary school teacher. She taught in Mankato up until the time that she and George Baer were married. Soon after they were married, she and George traveled to Nigeria, where George served as a missionary. Carol and George's daughter, Pam, was born in Nigeria.

When they returned to New Ulm, George assisted as pastor at St. Paul's. Later Carol and George moved to Hazelton, SD, for five years and then to Emanuel Lutheran in St. Paul, where he had accepted calls. Finally, they moved to Watertown where George accepted a teaching position at Northwestern. Hertha nee Aufderheide and George Gieseke followed the Baers as they moved from New Ulm to St. Paul and to Watertown.

Carol passed away recently, having battled with cancer. She and George enjoyed having their daughter Pam and husband Robert Schmutzler, children, and grandchildren nearby in Watertown.

The 25 July 1912 letter from Carol's Grandfather Fred Aufderheide to her mother, Hertha Aufderheide, provides insight into the Aufderheide background that many of us share. Carol, as one of the youngest of the Aufderheide grandchildren (along with Arthur and his brother, Fred) and certainly connected with the Gieseke families of Nicollet and Brown Counties, maintained contact with friends and relatives throughout her life. She was passionate about family history and ensured with her letters that her family story would be a legacy for her own children.

Carol Elizabeth Gieseke (Mrs. George) Baer
George Theodore Gieseke and Hertha Margaret Cornelia Aufderheide
George Gieseke Sr. and Wilhelmine Marie Lange
Friederich Gieseke and Henrietta Voges

Carol Elizabeth Gieseke (Mrs. George) Baer
Hertha Margaret Cornelia Aufderheide and George Theodore Gieseke
Frederick William Aufderheide and Elise Maria Schapekahm
Eberhard Jacob Johann auf der Heide and Sophie Elisabeth Beineke (buried in Minneapolis)
Johann Hindrich Johann auf der Heide and Anne Marie Elisabeth Oberdalhoffs
Jorgen Johann auf der Heede and Anna

Jim

PS: There's something about October for Carol's family:

Pam: b. 6 October 1947
Carol: b. 26 October 1923
George and Hertha: m. 9 October 1917