In the aftermath of World War II, nearly 12 million ethnic Germans were forced to flee Central and Eastern Europe, escaping violence, persecution, and political upheaval. Many of them, including a young girl named Katharina Legler, embarked on an uncertain journey in search of safety, stability, and the chance to build a new life. For Katharina, that journey would take her from a war-torn village in Yugoslavia in the Vojvodina region of Central Europe to the bustling city of Chicago, where she would raise a family, help build a business with her husband and leave a legacy of perseverance and love.
The Gfesser brothers, Stefan, Anton, Andreas, and Martin, recently team up with filmmaker Eddie Woods to produce a documentary about how their mother Katharina Gfesser arrived in America as a German refugee of World War II and became the matriarch of global manufacturing giant Trendler. You can watch the complete documentary here:
The Roots of Vojvodina in Central Europe
Vojvodina was under Hapsburg rule from 1699-1849 and later came under control of the Austrian Crown from 1849-1860. After World War I, Vojvodina became integrated into Serbia with the treaties of Saint-Germain (1919) and Trianon (1920) and in 1929, it became Danube Banovina with Novi Sad as its capital.
During the 19th century, Vojvodina became the agricultural powerhouse of Europe, exporting food across the continent. It was also a cultural mosaic with significant populations of Serbs, Romanians, Germans, and Hungarians. By the 1930s, on the eve of World War II, Serbs and Croats made up 56.9% of the population, Hungarians made up 18.2%, and Germans made up 16.3%. Katharina was part of the ethnic German population in Vojvodina.
A Childhood Marked by War and Loss
Katharina’s story begins on a quiet farm in Yugoslavia, where she lived with her parents and three sisters. Even though it was a modest farm, Katharina fondly remembers their two horses, two cows, and big garden as well as riding beside her father in a horse-drawn wagon. But their peaceful life was disrupted when her father was drafted into the war, and soon after, the family was forced to flee their home due to their German heritage.
Axis powers occupied Vojvodina starting in 1941 until the Russian army took control in the autumn of 1944. The occupation of the Axis powers caused hardship throughout the region that led to widespread displacement.
Katharina’s family, including her, her mother and three sisters, had no choice but to leave Yugoslavia in a wagon train under the constant threat of bombs and bullets. Katharina and her family miraculously completed the journey unharmed, and at one point they even managed to cross a bridge just moments before it was bombed. Their journey ended in Enns, Austria, where they were given a single room and had to gather firewood from the nearby woods to stay warm.
Tragedy struck soon after their arrival when Katharina’s mother passed away from internal injuries sustained during their escape. At just 12 years old, Katharina was left to care for her 6- and 3-year-old sisters. She prevented her sisters from being split up after the death of her mother and the girls were soon taken in by a kind farming family at Mitameier Farm in Enns, Austria where they worked for food and shelter.
While staying at Mitameier Farm, Katharina met Anton Gfesser, who was also a displaced person of German heritage from Yugoslavia, who brought food for Katharina and her sisters. Anton claimed to have escaped a concentration camp in Gakovo and helped others escape the camps and cross borders to safety. While working together on the farm, he and Katharina grew close, eventually falling in love. They married when Katharina turned 18 in 1950 and welcomed their first son, Helmuth, in 1951.
Chasing Opportunity in a New World
With a baby in tow and no money, Katharina and Anton set their sights on America. They were able to immigrate to America through the Displaced Persons Act of 1948 which was supported by the American Aid Society of German Residents in Chicago. They made their way to Linz, Austria to fill out immigration paperwork in the American zone and left Bremen, Germany on the General Blanchford ship in November 1951. The voyage took six days and while on board, Anton worked security to pay for their passage and get a private room for Katharina and their young child.
Upon their arrival in New York, they were welcomed by fellow Germans who helped them get settled. Eventually, they boarded a train to Chicago in search of better opportunities.
As Katharina is telling her story, her son Martin points out the courage it took to make this journey, “Every single decision was a risk.”
In Chicago, their life slowly began to take shape. At church, Katharina met Mrs. Elizabeth Klein, a fellow German speaker, who offered them housing in exchange for Anton painting her home. She also helped Katharina find work and secured Anton a job at Philip Sheet Metal Shop to save for their future and help build their new life in Chicago.
Entrepreneurship: Acquiring Trendler Metal Products
Katharina and Anton worked tirelessly during their first 10 years in Chicago and the pay Anton received at Philip Sheet Metal Shop provided the foundation for a better life. Their relentless drive to save and dream big marked the start of their American journey.
In 1961, Anton learned about a local business called Trendler Metal Products that was up for sale. Despite Katharina’s initial resistance to him skipping their weekly grocery run to meet the owner, Anton’s persistence paid off. The next day, the couple met with Tony Trendler, who agreed to sell them the factory for what they could afford. When Anton later returned to repay the remainder of the cost, Trendler refused the money.
All these years later, Katharina still remembers the kindness of Tony Trendler when Anton attempted to pay him the rest of what he owed. “He wouldn’t even accept it. I never forget that though.”
Building a Legacy Together
Katharina played an active role in the early years of Trendler. She brought her baby Martin to the factory in a playpen and tried various roles within the company, including a brief stint in customer service that ended when she realized she preferred working with machines. Her hard work and dedication were matched by Anton’s determination to make the business a success. Trendler grew so much under their leadership that they moved to a larger facility in 1973 and again in 1997.
Although Katharina initially had reservations about her sons working in the factory, Anton reassured her that they were capable and encouraged their involvement from a young age. Their sons, Helmuth and Stefan, joined the business in the 1970s and began by doing chores like sweeping floors and cleaning furnaces, gradually learning the machinery and operations. In the 1980s and 90s, their youngest sons Andreas and Martin joined the company. Katharina soon came to admire their dedication and hard work.
When Anton Sr. retired in 1995, their sons took over the business, keeping it in the family and allowing their parents to enjoy the fruits of their lifelong labor. For Katharina, this transition was a blessing, and she found joy in seeing her children continue to grow their family business and build on the success started by her and Anton. For the Gfessers, Trendler became a hallmark of hard work, innovation, and family unity.
Retirement and Legacy
After decades of dedication to building up Trendler, Anton Gfesser retired and passed the business to his sons. For the next 20 years, Anton and Katharina lived in Schaumburg, IL, spending their winters in Florida and summers in the Wisconsin Dells. During this time, their family grew as Anton and Katharina welcomed grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their years of hard work built a lasting legacy and allowed them to devote time to their growing family.
After living a life of remarkable achievements, Anton passed away on July 28, 2015. The man who immigrated to America shortly after World War II with a wife and young child and very little money in his pocket left a net worth estimated between $5 and $10 million.
After Anton’s passing, Katharina transitioned to living independently at Friendship Village in Schaumburg, IL. She continues to live her life to the fullest, filling her days with crocheting, reading gossip books, volunteering, and spending time with family. Her active lifestyle includes regular outings, dinners, cocktails, and even dancing. Her favorite song by special request is “Edelweiss,” a song that defines her personality and connects her to her homeland.
Katharina has a lot to look forward to, from watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow to her 100th birthday in 2032. Her 100th birthday also coincides with Trendler Inc.’s centennial anniversary which would be a powerful celebration of her personal and professional legacy.
An American Dream Realized
The story of Anton and Katharina reflects the opportunities available in America, where hard work, resilience, family, and innovation are rewarded. Anton and Katharina both went from laborers to entrepreneurs as they worked together to build Trendler, Inc. into the international manufacturing powerhouse that it is today. Rooted in freedom and entrepreneurial spirit, Katharina exemplifies the values enshrined in American ideals, underscoring the transformative power of resilience and community, inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs.
A Heart Full of Love
Throughout her life, Katharina’s warmth and compassion have left a lasting impact on those around her. Her daughter-in-law Linda remembers her as welcoming and accepting, someone who truly wore her heart on her sleeve. Katharina’s love extends beyond bloodlines, she sees her daughters-in-law and grandchildren as her own and values the strength of her family above all. She also credits her sons and family for giving her the support, strength, and comfort to keep going and live her life after Anton’s passing.
To her grandchildren, Katharina offers simple but powerful advice: “Just be happy and get going and do what you want to do. That’s what I did.” In the face of unimaginable hardship, she found joy, built a life, and created a legacy rooted in love, resilience, and hope. Her story serves as a reminder that with courage and community, even the most difficult beginnings can lead to a life well lived.
“I would say keep happy and be good to each other and nice to each other and ignore any hard feelings about things, straighten it out, forget it, and make the best of it.” – Katharina Gfesser.
Katharina Gfesser’s story is more than a tale of survival—it is a testament to the enduring power of dreams. Her journey from a war-torn childhood in Central Europe to becoming the matriarch of a thriving family business exemplifies what is possible through resilience and opportunity. Future generations should look to her legacy as a source of inspiration. Even in the face of hardship, Katharina never gave up hope, which led to her extraordinary success.
To hear Katharina tell her full story in her own words, watch the documentary here:
You can also see the latest videos from Trendler, including the Brothers, Battles & Bounty podcast featuring the Gfesser brothers, by checking out Trendler’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TrendlerInc.