LOCAL COUPLE VISITS FULDA,GERMANY

By Norma Dittman Although Duane and Shari Gehl, Dundee, never thought that they would visit the city of Fulda, Germany, the opportunity presented itself following the celebration of a granddaughter’s European wedding.

“The last day that we were in Germany, Shari’s daughter, Tracey, took us to see the sights of Fulda, Germany,” Duane explained.

The couple had anticipated traveling to Germany for granddaughter Jasmine’s wedding to Torben over the past year. Jasmine and Torben were married on October 18th, in the Black Forest. Jasmine is the daughter of Tracey and Brad Robb, Fall Creek, WI.

To be present at Jasmine’s wedding, the Gehl’s flew from Minneapolis to Frankfurt. Then they boarded a train to Freiburg in Breisgau to travel to Basel.

“The train is electric and it travels 100 miles per hour,” Duane stated, ““It starts out slower at 40 to 50 miles per hour and then as you reach the rural area, it is traveling at 100 miles per hour. But you really don’t feel like it is moving that fast!”

“Jasmine and Torben have been married for a year, but Jasmine always wanted a wedding and big party in the Black Forest, so that is what they did,” Grandmother Shari commented. “Their wedding was outdoors at the Edelfuchs Lodge. We faced the hills and the sun was behind the bridal couple. Jasmine’s sister, Sadie, was the officiant for the marriage ceremony. It was beautiful.”

Duane and Shari shared that Jasmine and Torben had added a truly impressive event following their wedding ceremony. The couple’s parents held up a large sheet that had a big Heart printed on it. Inside the heart are the words ‘Just Married’. “The couple cut around that heart and once it was cut out, they walked through the heart area. It was really special to see,” Duane said.

As the festivities of the wedding continued, a meal was served inside of the lodge and then dancing to the music of a DJ followed.

The next morning, all family who had gathered together for the wedding attended a farewell brunch.

“Besides all of Jasmine’s and Torben’s family members, there were also four friends of Jasmine’s from Michigan who were there. Jasmine worked as a producer and director at Bright House Publishing in Michigan before moving to Germany to be with Torben,” Shari shared. “She had to learn the language and then take a test to prove that she could be a citizen of Germany.”

Following the farewell brunch, it was time for the tour of Fulda, Germany!

Tracey had made arrangements for Duane and Shari to do some sight-seeing, which included the Freiburg Cathedral. It is the central square for the town. Duane shared that the main tower of the cathedral is 381 feet tall and was completed in the Middle Ages around 1330. The architectural style is Gothic.

In Fulda, Germany, Duane, Shari and Tracey walked on the cobblestone streets as they toured. They visited the Fasanerie Palace which is of baroque architecture. It was built between 1708 and 1714, and features porcelain statuary.

They also visited the Fulda Cathedral, which is the former abbey church of Fulda Abbey and is the burial place of Saint Boniface. The top of the dome reaches 127 feet.

Photos taken inside the cathedral show the ornate decorating that is done in the influence of Roman Baroque.

Duane, who is well-versed on history, enjoyed learning about the history of the cities of Freiburg and Fulda and the beautiful buildings that are hundreds of years in age. “They do a truly marvelous job of keeping their buildings in excellent condition. The architecture that you see is beautiful,” Shari stated.

As Shari and Duane talked about their visit to Germany, Shari shared that not only were they very glad to attend Jasmine’s wedding and tour the cities of Freiburg and Fulda. Another happy occurrence was that they also had the opportunity to meet their great-granddaughter, Saphhire, for the very first time.

Saphhire is the daughter of Zoran and Sadie (Robb). “She is just one year old, and was born in Serbia. Sadie and Zoran were missionaries in Serbia, but they have now returned to the states,” Shari said. “There was so much about being able to go to Germany that was very special.”

“And, at our ages, we were very glad to be able to go,” Duane added, a grin lighting his face.