Gerhard Meissner

Gerhard Meissner, 93, of Grand Marais died Monday, July 29, 2013 at the Cook County North Shore Care Center.

He was born on December 28, 1919 to Hermann and Helena (Kuhl) Meissner in Berlin, Germany. Gerhard grew up in Berlin/Neukoeln and was drafted into WWII and sent to the western front to fight against the Russians. He was a Russian POW until his escape in 1949. He married Annemarie Lipek in 1950. They lived in Berlin with his parents until they decided to immigrate to the United States to make a better life for a family. Gerhard came over in 1952 and his wife and son joined him in Chicago in 1953.

Gerhard was a moldmaker by trade and later on decided he could design better molds than the engineers were coming up with. So he established his own design company named "Plastic Mold Design" which was his dream job. In 1982, Plastic Mold Design was retired and Gerhard with Annemarie moved up to Gunflint Lake to enjoy a Northwoods lifestyle at their cabin that they bought. In 1998 they moved in with their daughter, Regine and they all enjoyed a remarkable life's journey together.

He enjoyed reading, writing memoirs and telling stories of his life's experiences. All who met him were entertained by his ability to tell a story about the war or whatever came to mind. He had a real gift for that. His other passion, especially in his youth was bike riding. For him that was the ultimate form of freedom and travel.

Gerhard is preceded in death by his parents and a brother. He is survived by his wife, Annemarie; son, Wolfgang; daughter, Regine; daughter, Gabriele and her husband Randy, children Annemarie, Gerhard and Nathaniel; daughter Anna and her husband James, children Steven and David.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.