Erna Wiens Stern

Classification scheme:

Hist.Mss.1.301 (s.c.)

Title: Erna (Wiens) Stern fonds

Dates of creation: 1942, 2006

Physical description: 1 page of textual records ; 16 photographs

Biographical sketch: Erna Wiens worked on the Dneprostroi hydroelectric station reconstruction project during the German occupation of the Zaporizhia area. She left the Soviet Union on the Great Trek of Mennonites following the German army retreat. She lived in Germany for two years, then Austria, before being forcibly repatriated to the Soviet Union. After years of forced labour in Siberia, she was able to immigrate to Germany.

Custodial history: The photographs were sent to Paul Penner, Sr. from Erna (Wiens) Stern in 2006. The photographs and accompanying letter were donated to the Archives by Marie Penner in 2016.

Scope and content: A letter of 3 Dec 2006 from Erna Stern to Paul Penner, Sr. describing her experiences working on the dam reconstruction project, her flight west and forcible repatriation to the Soviet Union. One photograph of Erna Stern in her later years. Fifteen photographs, copies of ones taken by her supervisor on the dam reconstruction project.

Notes: Further materials related to Erna Stern may be found by searching the Archives.
Original archival description created 2016 by Laureen Harder-Gissing.

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