Ursula Kundmann was born to Johanna and Hans Bernhardt in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1937. She was the second of their three children, which includes her older brother Hans and younger brother Jürgen. As a child, she lived through the tumult of World War II. Later in life, she shared stories of hunger, scavenging for coal in train yards, wandering the city as a 7-year old in a vain quest for noodles, and nights spent in bomb shelters. After the war, her father sold items on the black market. She learned later that she sometimes carried hidden items for him on delivery expeditions. These stories were always told with a sense of humor and not for pity—she loved to laugh and shared this quality with her father. These formative experiences likely contributed to her appreciation of the opportunities available for a better life in her eventual move to the United States. And also her hope for a secure and safe life for her children.

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She attended the Realgymnasium school in Wiesbaden and was an academic achiever. She especially loved math and learned English, which proved very useful in her adult life.

 

As a young woman, Ursula got her first job working at a bank, something she was quite proud of and enjoyed greatly.  With a sly smile, she recently shared how she caught the eye of the president of the bank. He invited her to his getaway in the Swiss Alps,—an invitation, which as a proper young lady, she of course declined. 

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In 1955, at the wedding of her aunt Hildegard, Ursula met the love of her life, Franz Kundmann—smitten at first sight they both liked to say. She spoke of his charm, beautiful hair, and movie star looks. And especially his fine dancing. The timing was not perfect, as Franz was about to move to America. They agreed that once he was settled, they would get married and start a life together in Chicago. As luck would have it, shortly after immigrating to the US, Franz was drafted into the Army. And, in a storybook twist of fate, he was stationed at the US base in Frankfurt, Germany just a short distance from where Ursula lived. They married in Wiesbaden, in 1957, in a church just across the street from where Ursula grew up. They shared a life together for 56 years, until Franz's death in 2013. 

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While stationed in Germany, Franz, a skilled baker, worked as a cook on the army base. These were happy years. Ursula and Franz found their first apartment on the second floor of a house in the idyllic town of Schönberg, near Kronberg, at the foot of the Taunus mountain range. They welcomed their first child, Michael (Mike), in December of 1958.

 

Ursula and Franz immigrated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1961. They found an apartment on Winchester Avenue in the city's old German neighborhood. The transition from the colorful familiarity of Wiesbaden and the German countryside to the gray of the big Midwestern metropolis was difficult. But living in the German neighborhood helped, and they quickly found a community of other young Germans, sharing the experience of their new American adventure—going out dancing, playing cards, and enjoying Montrose Beach on Lake Michigan. Many remained lifelong friends, and some were the close group of women that began a monthly Kaffeeklatsch that still continues 50 years later. Ursula especially enjoyed exploring the city with her good friend Sylvia Beensen, which included finding a favorite getaway spot for lox and bagels.

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Ursula's first job in Chicago was at the Kuhn's Delicatessen on Lincoln Avenue, where she was able to tentatively start using the English she learned at school. The clientele was mostly German, which made it a little easier. She was self-conscious about her language skills, but quickly became fluent.

 

1963 brought the surprise arrival of twins Thomas (Tom) and Marcus (Marc). The doctors somehow missed the double heartbeats (no sonograms then), and only discovered that there were two babies during the delivery! This meant a sudden need for more space. Soon after, Ursula and Franz bought their first home—a two-flat on Tripp Avenue in the Mayfair neighborhood in the northwest part of the city. Once the boys were old enough, Ursula returned to the working world with her second bank-related job at Bankers Life on Lawrence Avenue, a short walk from their new home. Ever practical and in a spirit of independence, she learned to drive, something that wasn't necessarily expected for women and wives at that time. 

 

In 1971, right before the birth of their fourth son, Anthony (Tony), once again outgrowing their living space, Ursula and Franz bought their second house. They settled in the western suburb of Bensenville in what turned out to be their last move. It is in this home that Ursula lived until the time of her death.

 

During her life in Bensenville, she raised her four boys while working several jobs—her favorite as a Customer Service Representative at a Bensenville bank where she was much loved by co-workers and the customers.

 

Though she worked, her priority was her boys. She supported them in their young lives, as a den mother for Mike's cub-scout troop; volunteering at schools; being a race timer at Mike, Marc, and Tony's swim meets; spending many hours driving and picking up Tom at his drum and bugle practices; and in countless other ways. Later, once her boys had grown and married, Ursula doted on her four grandchildren, Karl, Anna, Drew and Nick. They affectionately called her "Omi" and she cherished the time spent with them.

 

One of her greatest joys in life was her 40-year membership in the Elmhurst Damenchor, a German women’s chorus. After the good fortune of meeting Bärbel Carste, who relentlessly pursued her to join, Ursula decided to attend a rehearsal. Once she met the wonderful women of the chorus, she was hooked and happily joined the organization. During her time with the chorus, Ursula held many elected positions within the Damenchor: Secretary, Vice President, and President, as well as served as Secretary of the United Choruses of Chicago for 12 years. The Damenchor connected her with her German roots and her love of singing, gave her many lifelong friendships, and provided numerous memorable holiday gatherings for family and friends.

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She and Franz lived the American Dream, arriving with almost nothing but a strong work ethic, frugalness, and a desire for the best for their children. They loved their heritage and kept German traditions alive, passing them on to their sons and grandchildren. But they became dedicated Americans. Ursula naturalized as a US citizen in 1976. They took great pride seeing each of their sons graduate from universities earning undergraduate and graduate degrees and finding their own successes. Franz retired in 1993 and Ursula followed a couple years later, not quite ready to give up the work she enjoyed. They traveled, exploring the Caribbean, Mexico, and returning often to their original home, Germany. They spent their final years helping out with their grandchildren, caring for their lovely home and admired gardens, and playing endless rounds of cards and Rumikub.

 

“Uschi”, as her close friends called her, was generous, kind-hearted, surprisingly witty, endearingly competitive, a doting wife, mom and “Omi”, and a loyal friend. Even in her later years, she kept up attending the monthly Kaffeeklatsch,  rotating get-togethers at each other’s homes. She also continued to travel, taking an Alaskan cruise with her close friends, Horst and Sylvia Beensen; a Mediterranean cruise with her good friend Ruth Dibbern; and a trip to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone with her son, Tom, and family.

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Ursula passed peacefully on June 1st, 2020, at the age of 83, after a three year battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She was preceded in death by her husband, Franz. She is survived by her children: Michael (Roseann Csencsits), Thomas (Valerie), Marcus (Nicholas Norman), and Anthony (Taylor); her grandchildren: Karl, Anna, Andrew, and Nicholas; her brothers: Hans Bernhardt (the late Rosie) and Jürgen Bernhardt (Christel); nephews: Rainer Bernhardt, Peter Bernhardt; and nieces: Dagmar Gasser, Martina Zimmer, and Heike Bernhardt.

 

Update (May 2021): The time is now right for a celebration of her life, which we will hold on 1 June 2021 at 11 AM in the backyard of her home in Bensenville. For those who cannot attend, we will live-stream Uschi’s memorial service on-line.  Full details are given below:

 

Ursula Kundmann's Memorial/Celebration of Life Service

Tuesday, June 1st 2021 at 11 AM
334 E Memorial St, Bensenville, IL 60106

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Service to be followed by a German style luncheon/picnic

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Live Stream URL: https://lynch2.zoom.us/j/9081098328?pwd=SmFzNGNkYkhkRElGTFpYdUg3UjA2QT09

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Ursula’s memorial with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society would help serve others and be greatly appreciated.​