The 10 children of Bernard Joseph (known as Ben) Anstoetter and Lidwina (known as Lydia) Kramer, their 36 grandchildren, their more than 70 great grandchildren and dozens of great great grandchildren remain a close knit bunch even after the deaths of Ben in 1989 and Lydia in 1995. Ben was the youngest son of John Herman Anstoetter and his second wife Gertrude Erdmann. John Herman arrived in the U.S. from Hummeldorf near Salzbergen, Hannover, Germany around 1870. John Herman apparently came to Iowa with his brother Gerhard Heinrich, but I have been able to discover almost nothing about these two men and their German roots. 
Eugene L. Wieser and Alice Anstoetter at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago shortly after their marriage |
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Ben and Lydia Kramer Anstoetter with grandson Richard Wieser, May 1960 |
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Bernard (Ben) Anstoetter and Lydia (Kramer) Anstoetter on their 50th Anniversary |
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Ben and Lydia's Anstoetter 50th Anniversary collage photo. The photos were taken individually and even Alice, living in Nrew Jersey and Donnie who wasa deceased were included in the collage. Alice remembered that she was sent very specific instructions as to the required size for her face and the appropriate color for the backdrop. |
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Richard Wieser (Alice's son) and Lydia (Kramer) Anstoetter in 1993 |
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Bertha Anstoetter, younger sister of Ben Anstoetter. Bertha was the only one of Ben's family who remained closed to Ben and Lydia throughout her life. |
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