ANNA KAACK was born February 04, 1871 in Bornhoved, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and died November 03, 1947 in Belgrade, Minnesota, U.S.A. She married OTTO FERDINAND GERSTENKORN Sr. June 21, 1891 in Bornhoved, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He was born December 10, 1867 in Bornhoved, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and died September 22, 1952 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

In 1892, Otto and Anna Gersternkorn emigrated from Germany to Nashua, IA. They worked on a farm for several years, and because they were living in a new country and learning the customs, they were very upset when a calf died. They feared they might have to pay for the animal, or perhaps lose their job, so they were very relieved when the owner reassured them. "If I didn't have anything, I couldn't lose anything." It was an incident that was to stay in their memory always.

In 1902, the Gerstenkorns moved to a farm west of Georgeville that was to be their home until moving to Belgrade in 1944. Their farming operation included raising Shorthorn beef cattle, hogs, and grain crops.

Otto was seldom seen without a curved pipe in his mouth and enjoying a game of whist. Four families of German decent had moved to the Georgeville area, and it became the custom for them to gather at one another's homes and spend the afternoon visiting.

Six sons and six daughters were born to the Gerstenkorn family, and all grew to adulthood: Lena (Mrs. John Schroeder), Otto Jr., John, Herman, Ernest, Henry, Bertha (Mrs. William Wohlin), Dora (Mrs. Walter Mielke), Marie (Mrs. Wesley Peterson), Clara, And Amanda (Mrs. Axel Nelson).

From Belgrade 1888-1988 Centennial Book

HERMAN GERSTENKORN was born April 28, 1901 in Georgeville, MN and died January 02, 1942 in Belgrade, MN. He married EDITH PETERSON on April 18, 1941. She was born August 23, 1891 and died June 18, 1984 in Belgrade, MN.

Herman Gerstenkorn and Edith Peterson were married in 1941. Only eight months after their marriage Herman died of a heart attack.

They owned the Dray Lines in Belgrade, trucking cattle and hogs to the slaughter house in St. Paul once a week and picking up freight at the Belgrade Depot and delivering it to businesses and homes. He was also Belgrade's ice man. During the winter he cut ice in local lakes , stored it, packed in saw dust,and delivered it in the summer months for use in ice boxes in local homes.

Edith was a clerk in T. J. Anderson store, at Mickelson Brothers and Glesne and a bookkeeper for Thompson Oil Company. She lived to be over 90 years old.

From Belgrade 1888-1988 Centennial Book

OTTO FERDINAND GERSTENKORN Jr. was born December 08, 1892 in Nashua, IA, and died January 21, 1978 in Belgrade, MN. He married LENA SHULTZ in Helena, Montana. She was born November 29, 1892, and died September 23, 1955 in Belgrade, MN.

Otto Gerstenkorn, Jr. was the oldest son of Otto and Anna Gerstenkorn. After serving in World War I he went to Lancaster, MN to farm, but later decided to return to Belgrade. He was married to Lena Schultz and they owned a farm northeast of the village. Lena passed away in 1955.

Otto's hobbies were attending farm auctions, taking care of his Holstein cattle and raising hogs. In 1978 he went on a Caribbean cruise, but became seriously ill and was hospitalized on St. Thomas Island where he died.

Otto and Lena were the parents of one son, William. After graduating from Belgrade High School he joined his father in farming. His special interest were doing custom work and handling heavy machinery.

William passed away in 1967. He and his parents are buried at Grace East Lutheran Cemetery, on land which was donated by Lena's parents, the Schultz family.

From Belgrade 1888-1988 Centnnial Book

GEORGE GERSTENKORN was born March 31, 1896 in Nashua, IA, and died January 08, 1958 in Belgrade, MN. He married CLARA B. JENSEN October 12, 1932 in Belgrade, MN. She was born January 18, 1898, and died January 27, 1979 in Belgrade, MN.

George, son of Otto and Anna Gerstenkorn, started his first business with his brother, Herman, by owning Belgrade Dray Line.

He married Clara B. Jensen, daughter of Walter and ann Marie Jensen. They bought a house in Belgrade and built the Sinclair Station, later the present Standard Ststion, adjacent to the house. Some years later building the station they extended their business to include the Red Star Cabins, presently called North Star Cabins.

George was employed by Lindquist and Linderholm Hardware, while Clara managed the cabins. George was also part-time custodian for the Zion Lutheran Church and a board member and treasurer of the church for some years.

Both George and Clara were very active in the Eastern Star and held various offices during the years. Horses were a favorite hobby with them and they were charter members of the Crow River Riders, along with their children, Bruce and Sandra.

The couple was greatly interested in travel - they visited all of the state capitols in the contiguous United States. Clara toured Europe for two months after George's death and also visited Hawaii and the Caribbean.

George passed away on January 6, 1958, and Clara on June 26,1979.

From Belgrade 1888-1988 Centennial Book

MARIE H. GERSTENKORN was born 28 Jul 1902 in Georgeville, MN. She died 29 Nov 1994 in Long Lake Nursing Hone, Long Lake, MN. Marie married WESLEY G. PETERSON on 13 Jun 1926 in Belgrade, MN. Wesley was born 19 Sep 1898. He died 3 Apr 1984 in Belgrade, MN and was buried in Belgrade, MN.

Wesley Peterson called Belgrade "Home" for all his 85 years.

He was born, educated, worked and retired in his favorite city. On June 13, 1926, he reached out to the neighboring town of Georgeville to marry Marie Gerstenkorn, who was his devoted wife for 58 years.

Wesley left his formal education at mid-term of his senior year to begin work at the Belgrade Flour Mill. His first and only employer was the George Kolb family. During Wesley's time of employment the name changed from Belgrade Flour Mill Company to Belgrade Superior Feeds.

During the harvest season hours became long and irregular as he had to be on call whenever farmer's wanted to sell their grain. Wesley's position was bookkeeper and he continued in that job until he retired because of ill health after 45 years.

Marie Peterson worked as a clerk at the Oscar Quisberg Grocery store at Belgrade until her marriage and then became a homemaker, and involved in the organizations of Zion and Grace Lutheran Churches.

Clerking in a store in those days included many tasks different from present day operations. Some examples would be "candling eggs", when they were held up to a light to see if they were fresh; ordering dry goods; grinding coffee with a hand mill; and bartering farm products for other grocery products. Butter was often churned at home and then brought to the store and exchanged for Groceries; eggs were brought in by the case (twelve dozen) and the farmer would return home with food or merchandise.

Wesley and Marie celebrated the Golden Wedding in June, 1976. After an extended illness he passed away in April 1984.

The Petersons were the parents of two sons and have six grandchildren.

From Belgrade 1888-1988 Centennial Book

AMANDA GERSTENKORN was born 27 Nov 1907 in Georgeville, MN. She died 26 Nov 1993 in Glacial Ridge Hospital, Glenwood, MN and was buried 28 Nov 1993 in Grace Lutheran Cemetery West, Belgrade, MN. Amanda married AXEL NELSON on 28 Nov 1935 in Belgrade, MN. Axel was born 23 Sep 1902 in Lancaster, MN. He died 24 Oct 1960 in Belgrade, MN and was buried in Grace Lutheran Cemetery West, Belgrade, MN.

Amanda Gerstenkorn was the 11th of the 12 Children of Otto and Anna Gerstenkorn, born in Georgeville on November 27, 1907. After attending Georgeville School, she worked at jobs in Belgrade, Georgeville, and Minneapolis until her marriage to Axel Nelson,. November 28, 1935.

Axel had come to Belgrade from Lancaster near the Canadian border. For a time he worked on Gerstenkorn's Dray Line and then at the Municipal Liquor Store. In the early 50's he became a Belgrade School Custodian, a job he held until his death in October, 1960, at the age of 58.

Amanda retired in 1981 after working at Thompson's Cafe and the Belgrade Nursing Home. Besides keeping busy with her church activities and the Senior Citizens, she visits her sons in Arizona and daughters in Colorado and the Twin Cities area.

The Nelsons had six children, four girls and two boys.

From Belgrade 1888-1988 Centennial Book

ERNEST GERSTENKORN was born 15 Jul 1906 in Georgeville, MN. He died 21 Dec 1972 in Belgrade, MN and was buried in Crow River Church Cemetery, Belgrade, MN. Ernest married EDITH MAE THORSON on 4 Sep 1943 in Belgrade, MN. Edith was born 29 May 1911 in Colfax Township, MN. She died 29 Sep 1984 in Belgrade, MN and was buried in Crow River Cemetery, Belgrade, MN.

On May 29, 1911, a daughter, Edith Mae, was born to Carl and Hannah Thorson of Colfax Township. Her education began in District 12 and was continued at Belgrade high School. She also graduated from Park Region Luther College at Fergus Falls and later received her B.A. degree from St. Cloud State College,

As a teacher Edith worked in a number of rural schools in the area and the Raymond school system. She continued her teaching career at the Belgrade school system until her retirement.

She was a lifelong member of the Crow River Lutheran Church, served on the church council and was an officer of the ALCW. Following her retirement she traveled extensively in this country and aboard. Edith passed away on September 29, 1984.

Ernest was born near Georgeville on July 15, 1906. He spent his early years on the home farm and later ran a gasoline station and worked at Linquist and Linderholm Hardware in Belgrade. He and Edith were married September 4, 1943.

Ernest served in World War II. He was a member of the Belgrade Fire Department and the Crow River Lutheran Church where he served on the church council. He died December 21, 1972, and he and Edith are buried at the Crow River Lutheran Cemetery.

From Belgrade 1888-1988 Centennial Book