America - the Destiny of the Harold Bielefeldt Family

Coming to America - Harold Left His Beloved GermanyHarold Found His Beloved Dessie in Tempe, Arizona
Harold would entertain his family all their life with stories of his life in Germany, of his hardships as well as his adventures, his life as a soccer player, a ship builder and his activity in his church and his experiences of gathering food during the dark depression. He was captivated by his darling Dessie. He married her, then went off to war as an American soldier to fight against his homeland. While he lay wounded in the hospital, his first child was born. He arrived home at Christmas to greet the little guy who was the center of all the family. Harold and Dessie built 3 homes during their many years together and raised three beautiful children that they dearly loved.

The posterity of Oma and Opa dearly love them and feel they have been blessed with a rich heritage of storytelling, creativity, love of life, love of family, artistic ability, love of the beauties of nature, family traditions and many other things.

KIDS AND GRANDKIDS - THE JOY OF OMA AND OPA

Dessie is always happiest with grandkids on her lap and with plenty of noise and activity and pagentry going on with her family.


Opa's great desire was that his family would be united - he tolerated the confusion with great patience. Family was his priority.




















































Every child and grandchild has been welcomed with love and laughter. How Dessie loves the visits of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She still has toys and a cute yard for kids to play in. She has 14 grandchildren and more than 30 great grandchildren.

Dessie and her kids reunion

On September 13, 2008 Dessie and her kids held their first annual sibling and Mom reunion in Star Valley at Marty's cabin. They made the one and a half hour trip early in the morning while Annethel gave valuable information about the rock formations along the way and they all discussed the intriguing scenery found in Arizona.They all discussed many scientific and geological pieces of information interwoven with jokes and reminiscing about the olden times.

Upon arrival at the cabin, everyone breathed deeply of the cool, fresh mountain air and said, "Let's stay here forever." (maybe that's a little exaggeration) Anyway we all had a walk and enjoyed a delicious lunch of ham and turkey sandwiches with very gooey brownies. Sugar and Spice frolicked and enjoyed barking at the neighbor dog, Hummer, and at anything that moved (like a leaf). No one was interested in a nap - it was way too interesting to swing, walk, look for Elk (none appeared), listen for coyotes and talk about the many events of past, present and future along with hopes, plans and dreams. The stream that Jared and his buddies and the grandchildren had built with soldiers guarding their many forts had totally vanished in the summer storms. None of us was brave enough to try the zip line or ride the dragon or take the hike through the national forest that the kids took in July. Even so we still had a fun time.

The evening was spent eating yummy homemade beef burritos and bean tostados (with more gooey brownies) and playing a game called "Reminiscence" until almost midnight. No one was interested in watching any of the numerous and fun DVD's we have for entertainment. Finally everyone crashed, but arose early to a pancake breakfast eaten out under trees of the "enchanted forest" as the grandchildren call it.

We had intended to leave after breakfast, but it was too beautiful and pleasant and we finally managed to peal Frank out of the glider swing and tear Annethel and Dessie away from the beauties of the forest and Marty away from his gardening and barn to load back up into the van and head on down to the valley late in the afternoon. Hopefully, this was the first of many sibling and Mom reunions to come.