GERDES 

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Meinhard and Seija — Our Journey from Europe to America

Our story began in Europe, thousands of miles from where we live today in Grayslake, Illinois.

Meinhard was born in Hamburg, Germany. His early life took him from Hamburg to Geneva, Switzerland, and later to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he lived and worked. In 1967, he left South Africa and traveled through South America before making his way to the United States.

Seija was born and raised in Punkalaidun, Finland. After graduating from school, she went to Sweden, where she worked before eventually coming to the United States. She first worked as a nanny in New Canaan and Stamford, Connecticut.

Our paths finally crossed in 1968, and that meeting changed both of our lives. We settled in Connecticut, where we built our home and raised our family.

Meinhard began a long career in information technology with American Can, a company that would go through several changes over the years, becoming American National Can, Pechiney, Alcan, and eventually Rio Tinto. He spent more than 30 years in IT before retiring in 2005.

Seija continued to build her own career. After her years as a nanny, she worked at a bank in Connecticut and later at a department store after we moved to Illinois.

In 1987, after 20 years in Connecticut, we moved to the Chicago area. We eventually made our home in Grayslake, Illinois, where we live today.

Our two sons made their way west and now live and work in Seattle, Washington.

Retirement opened another chapter for us. Since Meinhard retired in 2005, we have had the opportunity to do something we always enjoyed—exploring. We have traveled throughout the United States and around the world, discovering new places, meeting people, enjoying different cultures, and collecting stories along the way.

Looking back, it is remarkable to think about where our journey began: Finland and Germany, then Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, South America, Connecticut, and finally Illinois.

What started as two separate journeys across Europe eventually brought Meinhard and Seija together in America.
And the journey is still continuing.

For more memories go HERE  Our  Travel Map History  Facebook Link