I received a copy of Elfrieda Schroeder’s memoir, Ellie’s World, about a month ago. Though eastern Europe was rumbling louder in the news in early February, I had no idea how timely her story would be considering the horrific events of this past week.
Her memoir begins, “Ellie’s [Elfreida’s] parents and her brother, Vitya, lived in Ukraine. For a long time, there were revolutions and uprisings in that part of the world . . . . Ellie’s ancestors were Mennonites from the Vistula Delta who were invited to come to Ukraine by Catharine the Great; she promised to give them land on which they could farm.” (Part I: Refugee Years before Ellie was born)
Elfrieda’s memoir, 121-pages long, spans several generations including Ellie’s immediate family, the Neufelds. Liberally sprinkled with photographs, the memoir is divided into three parts: The Refugee years, Pioneer Life in Paraguay, (South America) and Life in Canada. Ellie documents the family’s odyssey, always underscoring the value of her close-knit family, mingling hardships with moments of joy, and belief in a better life with religious freedom.
Storyteller Elfrieda exclaims over packets mailed from Canada bulging with dolls, sewing needles, cars with wheels and crayons, (sadly) melted by tropical heat. Multilingual, she details her joy of learning to read with a Fibel. I held my breath when brother Hertzy fell into icy water and nearly drowned after their move to Canada. I marveled at her ingenuity in making earrings from hoops of 3-ring binders to complete a gypsy Hallowe’en outfit.
The narrative does not contain a lot of dialogue, yet the story maintains a conversational tone as if written to young children, which indeed it is. Elfrieda has written this family history specifically for her grand-children, but I’ll bet it will survive beyond the current generation.
Her memoir is dedicated to her eight grandchildren, Sasha pictured here.
Elfrieda’s grand-daughter Sasha
Elfrieda’s Bio
Born in Ukraine in 1943 to Mennonite parents, Elfrieda fled to Poland with her family, when she was a few months old. They immigrated to Paraguay in 1947 and five years later joined relatives in Canada.
After high school graduation in Alberta, Elfrieda went to Winnipeg and worked in a bookstore for three years, where she met her future husband Hardy, a student at a nearby Bible college. Elfrieda attended Canadian Mennonite Bible College for one year; then she and Hardy married (1968) and they spent six months at Elkhart Mennonite Biblical Seminary, followed by six months of French studies in Brussels, Belgium.
Arriving in the Belgian Congo in early 1969, Hardy joined a Bible translation team under MB Missions. Elfrieda was expecting their first child; Harold Mark was born prematurely and lived only one day. Two more children were born in the Congo, and their third daughter was born in Canada while they were on leave. The family spent fifteen years in the Congo.
They returned to Canada (Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario), where Elfrieda began university studies, eventually receiving a PhD in German from the University of Waterloo. After working as a sessional instructor at several universities and as a private tutor, Elfrieda retired in Winnipeg, working with translation and writing projects. She is a worship leader and occasionally preaches at Jubilee Mennonite Church. Elfrieda enjoys daily walks and playing Scrabble with Hardy as well as relating to her eight grandchildren.
Elfrieda’s Writing Process, in her own words
The biggest source for my memoir was Peter Dyck’s book Up From the Rubble which tells the story of our time at the Dutch border when we were trying to get into Holland and our journey to South America on the Dutch freighter the Volendam of which I have no memory. I had some other books about Paraguay and how the colonies came about, as well as the flora and fauna of that place. Other than that I relied on my memory and on family stories and photographs.
My first writing was all done by hand (printing, as my younger grandchildren don’t read or write cursive!) with pictures I drew. Then I took pictures of the pages and sent them electronically to my grandchildren and my siblings, one chapter at a time over the year it took me to write it. My siblings gave me helpful feedback and encouragement. These first drafts had no photos [but they contain my own drawings].
After spending that much time on this project I decided to work on it some more to make it more professional and to add the photos. Then we took it to a printer and had 35 copies made for family and friends.
I first met Elfrieda when we discovered each other’s blogs, probably in 2015. More About Elfrieda, a faithful commenter on this blog:
Visit Elfrieda’s blog
Her Facebook page
To purchase her book, contact Elfrieda by email: schroedereh@gmail.com
This is the top of a box chocolates given to us by our Ukrainian/American friend, Kathy Gould, in 2011.
Photo reproduction of Ukrainian farm scene, artist Cliff Beaman
Can you identify with Elfrieda’s writing process, handwriting before making the manuscript a WORD document?
Do you have friends or relatives affected by the current events in Ukraine?
Good morning, Marian! Your friend has had quite a journey through life. What struck me was being born in Ukraine in 1943! Yikes!
You know I have ancestors who came from Ukraine and Belarus.
I work on my computer. I seldom handwrite anything.
How interesting that your family’s history overlaps with some of Elfrienda’s own. I say “Yikes!” too if you mean to imply that history is repeating itself with revolutions and uprisings in that part of the world–again! Thank you for your greeting, getting the conversation started here. Thanks, Merril!
I don’t think our history really overlaps, since my family is Jewish and they fled earlier in the century. And yes, that area is once again the center of blood and war, but I meant specifically born in 1943 in the midst of WWII .
Thanks for clarifying, Merril. 😀
Thank you for sharing Elfrieda’s memoir with us, Marian. I can certainly relate to her writing process. Handwriting large portions of my stories is always a part of my writing ritual. Yes, I do have friends who have family in Ukraine…they need our prayers. I love the photo of Sasha…what a beautiful smile.
You are the first of several writers who mention that handwriting is part of their process. You are so prolific, handwriting to begin with apparently does not slow you down.
Yes, our hearts go out to Ukrainians and to their loved ones everywhere. I agree, Sasha ha a beautiful smile. Thanks, Jill!
Thank you for sharing, Marian. A meaningful story in these times.
I always handwrite before putting it into the computer. There’s something about hand connected to pen and paper that allows for going deeper.
Your comment (and others’ following) nudged me to check on the benefits of handwriting. I had heard that the physical act of putting pen or pencil to paper encourages writers to go deeper. I found an online source that verifies that handwriting aids in stress relief, stimulates memory and creativity as well as engages the emotions: https://www.oxfordlearning.com/writing-by-hand-is-good-for-the-brain/
I’m glad writing with hand and heart works for you, Arlene. Thanks! 😀
Inexpensive therapy perhaps? That’s what I’ll tell myself anyway.
I think you’re right, Arlene!
Ellie has created such a treasure for her grandchildren and future descendents. I know how quickly these personal histories can be lost if not written down. I used to handwrite my drafts before typing them on the typewriter. Once I got a computer, I started composing on the computer, and I’ve never looked back. It’s so much easier and faster for me than struggling with hard copy drafts. (I revise a LOT.)
I agree, Liz, computer make revisions easier. I too revision a LOT. However, if I feel stuck or have a complex topic to discuss, I may sketch some notes on a yellow tablet with lines. Thanks for weighing in today! 😀
You’re welcome, Marian!
What a timely blog post, Marian. I don’t have family in the Ukraine. But I still feel affected by what’s going on. It’s awful and sad.
I relate to some of Elfrieda’s writing process. I have written by hand before typing and still do somewhat. Nowadays I draft mostly on the computer. But I keep paper by my bed to jot down notes.
My writing process mimics yours, Linda Marie! If I don’t use a tablet, I may use sticky notes beside my computer.
And, yes, I think we are all affected when people in other parts of the world are suffering. People on this planet are so interconnected, we get raw, unfiltered news that hits us hard. Like you, I feel empathy–and an urge to pray. 😀
Marian, thank you so much for this lovely tribute, you have summarized my memoir so well! About doing the handwritten copy first—I normally would have started off on the computer, but my granddaughter and I had made a promise that we would each write a story and then send it to each other by mail—It was during Covid time and we needed some distraction! So the first chapter was sent by snail mail and after that I took a photo of each page after I wrote and illustrated it and sent it to the grandchildren and siblings via email. I couldn’t use cursive because my younger grandchildren couldn’t read it, so I laboriously printed each one by hand! The siblings gave good comments and feedback.
Thank you for the compliment, Elfrieda. I wanted to represent you and your writing well here. It wasn’t hard because I read your blog posts too. You may want to check out a note to Arlene (ab0ve) about the value of hand-writing. There are benefits beyond making the writing readable to grandchildren, which is reason enough. Here is the link: https://www.oxfordlearning.com/writing-by-hand-is-good-for-the-brain/
Your memoir will always be a reminder of how well you used your “Covid” time to create a living legacy. 😀
I needed to pare down my book collection in a recent move. But one book I could not part with was Peter & Elfrieda Dyck’s book, “Up From The Rubble.” God continues to bestow His grace on Mennonites (and others) fleeing their war- ravaged countries. Thanks for your timely blog.
You’re welcome, Jean. I wonder if you got this book from the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, PA. I know we are both grateful for our Mennonite heritage that comes with a very strong desire for peace. 😀
In writing by hand, versus using a word document on computer, I go deeper in my feelings and thoughts. Either way, in reviewing what has been written, often a long time later, I marvel at the 26 letters and grammar. How they came together and what was conveyed. And often wonder what deeper part of me was being channeled that produced that outcome!
My heart aches for Ukraine and her people.
You join with many here (and throughout the world) whose hearts are aching for the siege in Ukraine. I pray for deliverance in whatever way it may come.
Several hear from stated the benefits of writing by hand before (or as a substitute for) composing with the computer. Here is the research that supports the value of handwriting: https://www.oxfordlearning.com/writing-by-hand-is-good-for-the-brain/
It’s good to see you here, Ginger. Thank you! 😀
I’m so glad you have shared Elfrieda’s book and some of her story here, Marian. Congratulations to Elfrieda on so many levels: finding a worthy Covid project, involving her siblings and grandchildren, making it beautiful with drawings, careful handwriting, and photos, and sharing the story online. Now we have a direct connection to Ukraine in our midst.
Our prayers and gifts will have faces we know attached. The organization that started in the US to help Ukraine in the 1920s during a famine is well-known to Elfrieda. I will be giving my contributions here, with total trust in the ability of this organization to provide material aid as efficiently, compassionately, and frugally as possible. https://donate.mcc.org/cause/ukraine-emergency-response
Shirley, thank you so much for your positive words. I would just like to add here that if it hadn’t been for that cup of cocoa and bun each day that MCC provided to starving Mennonites in the 1920s Ukraine, my mother would have died of starvation and I would not be here! Someone also gave his life for this cause and he’s my hero. His name is Clayton Kratz and he was from Pennsylvania, helping with the MCC project. He disappeared and no one ever heard what happened to him. He was in his early twenties!
Shirley and Elfrieda, I’m delighted that a conversation has developed here for all to read. MCC (The Mennonite Central Committee) was central to Bossler’s Mennonite Church having a conduit to supply aid for the needy. Grandma Longenecker collected blankets, quilts, and clothing in her home from the area. I don ‘t know who picked up the items donated, but the regularly scheduled pickups were the first step in getting clothing to refugees and others in need of help. Edna Beiler, the contact person during my childhood, visited Grandma bearing gifts from countries MCC represented.
Your story of survival is touching, Elfrieda. Thanks for sharing it here. And thanks to you, Shirley, for supplying the link for donation! 😀
How wonderful that Ellie´s family will have her memories. It is so important for the next generation to know the background of their family. My family, although not Mennonite, have a similar history. They were invited by Catherine the Great to farm the steppes in south Russia, now Ukraine. They left in 1911 to homestead in Western Canada. They went through many hardships but created a wonderful life for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, of which I am one of them. My prayers are with the good people of Ukraine at this terrible time.
That is so interesting, Darlene. Were your ancestors German? There were a lot of German Lutherans and sometimes they intermarried with Mennonites.
On my bedroom wall I have the fracture of those words and Clayton Kratz’s picture given to me after I spoke at the Mennonite Historical Society of eastern PA about ten years ago. A powerful testimony of love.
I have tears as I read this, Shirley!
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Thank you so much for sharing this! What a story!
Thank you, Luanne. I’m glad you found Elfrieda’s story uplifting. I appreciate your telling us so! 😀
Thanks for your encouraging words, Luanne, and thanks to all of you for your encouraging and enlightening comments, and most of all to you, Marian!
😀
I have no personal connection to the Ukraine but can see the horror of this war unfolding before my eyes. The Ukrainians are made of stern stuff. How timely that you are featuring an author who has a personal connection to the country. In answer to your question about writing, I don’t write anything by hand anymore, preferring to use a computer to write. I can go faster, write more, and don’t feel encumbered by hand cramps or trying to decode my chicken scratches later.
I agree, Ally. Those Ukrainians show true grit these days. I saw on TV an image of a brigade of Ukrainians several feet deep defying the passage of Russian tanks. They are our heroes.
And I like how you summarize your writing process. Like you, I can go faster with computer, but do use handwritten notes if I get stuck. 😀
I took the time to finally visit Elfrieda’s blog–it seems like she’s first up to comment every week! Her testimony of how the food from MCC was lifegiving for her mother–hard to imagine but very very meaningful here. May we all gather around in our hearts and minds those who are going through these trials right now. Heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing all this.
Peace-loving Mennonites via MCC have done a mighty work down through the years. I almost gasped when I read her response to Shirley Showalter: “If it hadn’t been for that cup of cocoa and bun each day that MCC provided to starving Mennonites in the 1920s Ukraine, my mother would have died of starvation and I would not be here!” I’m glad this touched you as it has me, Melodie.
Thanks for commenting here and for visiting Elfrieda’s website. She will notice some more traffic today on her blog, I’m sure! 😀
My hat is off to Elfrieda and her handwritten memoir. Wow. Just WOW!
As you can tell, Ellie’s work is a labor of love. Thanks, Laurie! 😀
Thank you for sharing Elfrieda’s story, Marian. One of my professors in college (passed in the last year) was Jewish. He shared a powerful story in class in which the rest of his family was killed when the Nazi’s searched his family’s house during World War II. He was hidden (seven-years-old) and they never found him. He was able to flee the country with the help of others.
Narrow escapes seem providential to me, Pete. Thanks for sharing the story of your professor, an unforgettable one.
Elfrieda (in a comment) mentioned that without the help of Mennonite Central Committee her mother would have starved to death and she wouldn’t be here. I’m sure similar stories of narrow escapes may be happening now in the current crisis. 😀
Thank you Marian for this extraordinary story, especially what with the events in Ukraine-Russia. Elfrieda’s journey was remarkable, from birth to now, traversing many lands and oceans. I take my hat off to her and family and to the Mennonites who helped during earlier times. (I’m sure they continue to do so.)
I jot down ideas on paper – at least they won’t get lost.
Elfrieda, my thoughts are with you and all of Ukraine, your land of birth.
Yes, Elfrieda is an extraordinary woman as her story. In comments, MCC (The Mennonite Central Committee) was mentioned. And it is still doing good work currently active in Ukraine. If you are interested, here is a website to help the cause, which Shirley Showalter mentioned earlier in comments: https://donate.mcc.org/cause/ukraine-emergency-response
Always good to hear from you, Susan. Thank you! 😀
Thank you Susan! I remember when we finally came to Canada, that, even as a nine -year-old, I was amazed at how people had carried on as usual while we were fleeing for our lives. I thought the whole world was at war, it in Canada people went to movies and had enough to eat!
Ellie’s story grabs you. What a wonderful story of perseverance in the face of great hardships.
Thanks for your early-bird comment this morning, Colleen. Ellie’s journey is gripping, and I imagine we’ll hear more stories from the current crisis in Ukraine. 😀
Hi,
Elfrieda’s memoir seems like a good book to read. Her life has definitely been filled with many responsibilities that gives her a colourful way to share her life story and her faith and her trust.
Shalom aleichem
Yes, Pat, throughout their struggles they pulled together and trusted in God. Thanks for reading and commenting here once again. Peace and joy to you too! 😀
Elfrieda’s life journey is remarkable. Moving from country to country and always with hope for a brighter future. Her life is so full with her large family and her faith. And now Ukraine is facing evil front and center again – it’s almost impossible to believe that. Thank you Marian for sharing Elfrieda’s timely story.
You’re welcome, Melanie. I was happy to share Elfrieda’s remarkable story, but sad (very sad!) that it occurs in this context. Evil is always at war with the good, and sometimes we see it more starkly than others. 😀
How timely is this?! I’m glad Elfrieda’s rich and varied life led her out of Eastern Europe to a more hospitable world. I’m also sad about the context, but this is the world we live in now and I’m glad she and her grandchildren are not in Ukraine. It’s hard to sleep at night because of concern about the young and old and in between struggling to escape and survive this horrific war. May they be blessed.
Elaine, your words sounds like a benediction on Ellie’s life and work. She will probably read them and smile.
Evil is always at war with the good, as I’ve mentioned earlier. I’m glad there is push-back again the evil we see now in the region, but I wonder if it will be enough. In the meantime, there are stories of rescue and resistance among the heroic Ukrainian people. And offers of aid from other parts of the world. May their tribe increase! 😀
It’s hard to know what could be enough or what will help in Ukraine except getting people out. The desire to destroy wipes out all reason and compassion.
Hi Marian – thanks for sharing Ellie’s memoir. It’s so important to have a record, not just for Ellie’s family, but for all of us to read. And how important to be seeing this now.
You’re welcome, Barbara. Elfrieda’s family story has some similarities with what’s going on in Ukraine now. I hope the refugees that had to flee in February can return to some semblance of order, if only to rebuild again. So very sad. 🙁
There is so much to love about this post and the comments…the shared memories it has invoked…although I have no connection to anyone in Ukraine what I see makes me so sad and I admit to weeping at the sheer horror which is unfolding..the link was useful to me thankyou…As for writing even my blog posts I hand write first..I have so many books with my scribbles in …