This website was written by Hedy’s great nephew, David Melbye (the “I” and “me” and “my” of this page.)
It was designed and is maintained by my friend, website designer, and computer WIZ, Kaleb Northrup.
I wish to express my deepest thanks to:
My wonderful and beloved late mother, Betty Melbye, who, many years ago, gave me her treasured copy of Hedy’s WWI Nursing Journal, the digital version of which this website is dedicated to preserving. (Mom was one of Hedy’s nieces. Named Betty Margaret Alexis, she was the youngest of three children born to Gerhard Theodore Alexis and Olga Maria Grund. Olga was Hedy’s younger sister by almost two years.)
My cousin, Sandra “Sandy” Knowles Tahiri, who provided the vast majority of photos, memories, and biographical information contained on this website. Hedy was also great aunt to Sandy, whose father, Edward “Buddy” Knowles, was one of two children born to one of Hedy’s younger sisters, Alma Grund.
My sister, Barbara Melbye Janssen, who first typed Hedy’s journal into a Word document, and provided related references and footnotes. My edit of this document remains on my own website at http://www.davidmelbye.com/alexis-cd/liner-notes-and-translations/journal-of-hedvig-grund-hammann/.
Karen Kasper, archivist at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, MI, as well as Pastor Warren and Mrs Kathy Geier, formerly of Bethany Lutheran, who found, copied, and sent me the treasured photograph of the Swedish Lutheran Church Choir of 1911 (see the Photos page of this website), in which one sees my grandfather, Gerhard Theodore Alexis, seated center front row, as director of the choir. Also visible among the many choristers are – Hedvig Grund (my great aunt) seated to the right of Mr Alexis; Olga Grund (eventually Gerhard’s wife and my grandmother), standing in the second row, a little further to the right of Mr Alexis; Alma Grund, the youngest of the three Grund sisters at the time, (also my great aunt and grandmother to Sandy Tahiri), standing in the third row, third from the viewer’s right, and who perhaps seems a bit distracted by something to her left. Who will ever know what it might have been?
Jonathan Rundman, a native of Ishpeming, MI, who continues to return to concertize at his home church, Bethany Lutheran, and who facilitated my communication with Karen Kasper as well as with Pastor and Mrs Geier. He also wrote a great song about noted Ishpeming-ites (is that what they’re called?!) entitled “Robert Traver Blues.” It includes a verse about my grandfather, Gerhard Theodore Alexis. Please support his wonderful music at https://jonathanrundman.com/.
Lastly, Dr Stephanie D Smith and Dr Gwyneth Milbrath, both formerly of the Midwest Nursing History Research Center at the University of Illinois College of Nursing in Chicago. Stephanie contacted me about Hedy’s journal in July of 2022 as she was researching the service of Chicago-area nurses at a number of WWI base hospitals in France. Stephanie was especially generous with her time and spirit, as was Gwyneth with her guidance. Their work eventually resulted in a documentary film which includes excerpts of Hedy’s journal! Visit the WWI Nurses Documentary page of this website to view.
I wholeheartedly thank you all!
David