The Krupka's

After visiting the cemetery and church, we headed down the street to the Krupka's house. It has been in Hilde's family for over 100 years. There were only two years - 1944 - 1946 that they did not occupy it.

We parked the van at Rudy's 'weekend home' a few doors down.

Eduard, another cousin of Ida's, Walter and Hilde's sister Ellie also joined us. Eduard took a bus from Presov (60 km away) to visit with us. Maya also joined us and translated all the conversations.

Their home is quite interesting. A main hall divides the house in two. The main hall was formerly a passageway for carts and animals to get to the rear of the house. There is a small 'family room' with seating area, table, stove and TV. Hilde and Marta sit there most of the time. "I read letters from Ida, I write letters to Ida, I watch TV and I can keep one eye on what is happening in the neighorhood."

There is a large kitchen behind this room, then the bathroom. Most walls and some doors have glass so that the sunlight can reach all rooms. Across the hall is the formal parlour and dining room.

We had 'Sunday Soup' with homemade pasta, marinated beef in gravy, pickled cucumbers and potatoes. They served several desserts including a chocolate rum cake from a family recipe that is over 100 years old.

The Krupkas shared family photos with us and shared stories of their lives over the years. Once again, we were surprised to find collections of photos of the Canadian family taken here and back home in Canada.

In 1944 Hilde was deported to Sudat (Czech-German border) because they were German. Her sister, Ellie, was 19 at the time and had the opportunitz to go with the children, which included Eduard, to Austria, to keep a close eye on him. They had to travel through Poland, Czech to get Austria as some people would try to shoot them.

The German Red Cross kept excellent records. Another family from Hniedzne had to leave their one year old child at a checkpoint because the child had pneumonia. The child was returned to the parents in Austria 14 days later when the child recovered.

Ellie and Eduard were in Austria for 6 months and went to the Sudat to be re-united with Hilde.


Eduard was about 13 when in the Sudat. A Czech man wanted to adopt him. He paid for Eduard's schooling. Eduard also worked for him in a restaurant. One day a neighbor from Hniezdne came to the Sudat to find his sister. He saw Eduard and they just walked away and returned to Hniezdne.

When they all returned to Hniezdne, another family had moved into their home. It took awhile to sort things out, but the home was returned to them. Many of their things were taken or destroyed. They were amazed to find this book, dating to 1724. It is a formal request to establish a Black Smith profession in the region.

The family photo - Walter, Hilde, Ida, Marta, Ellie and Eduard.

Towards the end of WWII, it was difficult being a German or thought to be a German. The Krupka's felt they were Slovaks. It was difficult, and sometimes dangerous to try to find family members, so they lost track of Gisella's family in Canada.

After lunch, Eduard took us for a tour of Rudy's house down the street. It can sleep 16 people! It's a party pad man!!