Resident pro le: best friends

Erna Bild and Elizabeth Feith are neighbors at Cedar Community’s independent living plus apartments. At 98 and 97 years young, they have both discovered the joy of new and deep friendships—with each other. They consider themselves very lucky to have received this gift late in their lives. They talk for hours each day in German and share stories of their youth. It could be said that they are inseparable.

Erna was born in south Austria. Elizabeth was born in Germany’s Rhine River Valley near Holland. They were both in their early teens when World War II began. They each had families and friends who experienced the horror of war in both Austria and Germany—witnessing bombings, air raids, occupation, and the death of so many innocent people. By the time the war was over, they had both lost everything. They are so thankful they survived and were able to come to America, where they enjoyed freedom and peace.

BY: Gladys Sachse Resident, Cedar Community Independent Living

Erna was the middle of six siblings, counting three brothers and two sisters. Her father was mayor of their small town and worked at a bank. They lived in a large home and all of them were very musical—Erna played the piano. As was not uncommon during the war, military forces commandeered their property and moved into half of their house. The home was wired to hear all conversations of her family. Erna spoke English, and as a result, she worked as an interpreter for the British Eighth Army. For this, she received a small salary and food rations. She recalls that when Hitler took over, everything changed—her father was kept under guard at all times, the stores were empty, and her family sold their clothes and goods for money. Eventually, Erna was taken out of school and had to work to help support the family.

During the war, Erna’s brother was taken prisoner of war. But through this, Erna met Anton Bild, a U.S. Army Judge Advocate who was stationed in Germany participating in war crime investigations. In 1947, at the age of 22, Erna came to America and settled in White sh Bay. She eventually married Anton and they were together for 75 years. Erna worked at a bank and various other companies as a bookkeeper. She never expected to be so welcomed in America and was overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the American people. Erna and Anton had three sons, and now three grandchildren and one great-grandson. They lived in Florida for a time and also had a home on Silver Lake. Anton passed away in 2019. When Erna’s vision was beginning to fail, her family felt it was not safe for her to live in her own home. Her son discovered Cedar Community and it was a perfect t. She moved in December of 2022.

Elizabeth was the youngest of four brothers and one sister—her mother was widowed at age 35. She remembers at the age of 14 she was walking her dog when their town was attacked with bombs. She was thrown into the gutter and the air went black with smoke and soot. The city was burning. People were hurt and screaming, but there was no one to help. Within a half hour more than 6,000 people died and life was never the same. Her four brothers died in the war.

Elizabeth met John Feith in Heidelberg, Germany, where he was serving as a translator for the U.S. Army. Originally from Hungary, John spoke

English and had been recruited to assist the American forces during the war. They were married in 1947.

In 1952, Elizabeth and John were given the opportunity to come to America. “America?” Elizabeth said, “I know nothing about America except the Mississippi is the largest river and Chicago is a gangster city.” But they ventured anyway—with their two young boys (ages three and four years old), only the clothes on their backs, two small suitcases, and not one penny to their name. She said it was very hard coming here, with di erent customs and being unable to speak English. However, they felt so welcomed and so cared for. Everyone was so incredibly generous— providing gifts, clothes, and toys. After arriving in New York, they were sent on to Chicago. A UCC church in south Chicago sponsored the family and they were invited to live with a family of the congregation for six weeks. Elizabeth recalls that they were so generous and kind. She loved their little boys—they called her “Tante Frieda.”

The day after arriving in Chicago, John got on the bus and found a job at Continental Can Co. and a local grocery store. He couldn’t believe all the food that was available when they had gone to bed hungry so many times in Germany. It was hard to comprehend—the freedom, the abundance, and the generosity of the American people. Elizabeth got a job at Tecumseh Outboard Motors doing assembly line work. She couldn’t speak English but was hired because her foreman also spoke German. “America is such a beautiful country,” Elizabeth wrote in her rst letter home to her mother. “I think I am in heaven.”

Elizabeth and John eventually settled in Saukville, raising their two sons and a daughter—who was born after arriving in America. John learned the insurance and investment business and became very successful. He helped so many people— wanting to return all the help and kindness that was given to them when they came to America. The Feiths generously made donations to the Feith Family Ozaukee YMCA/Early Learning Child Care and the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus. They both worked very hard. “When all you have is taken away or destroyed, that’s what you do.”

John and Elizabeth have ve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. They moved to Cedar Community’s independent living apartments in 2017. Soon after, John moved to The Cottages, Cedar Community’s memory care, and passed away in 2018 after 71 years of marriage. Like her friend Erna, Elizabeth moved to Cedar Community’s assisted living in December 2022, when her vision was failing and she needed additional day-to-day support.

A forever friendship began in the dining room at The Willows at Cedar Lake when Erna asked Elizabeth if she could join her at her table. Almost immediately they realized how much they have in common—sharing stories of their childhood, families, and experiences of coming to America. They both had been very active playing golf, tennis, skiing, and swimming. They say it’s hard to believe that in their 90s they could nd their very best friend. They look out for each other, enjoy walks with each other, and can sense when the other is not feeling well or having a bad day. If help is needed, the team is right there—day or night. Elizabeth says she worked so hard all her life, and now she has no work to do, no cooking, dishes, cleaning or laundry, but just time to enjoy the day. They keep active participating in resident activities including Bingo, social gatherings, and church services. Erna loves Wii bowling. She says she can’t see the pins, but she just swings the remote and has fun. They call her a true champion!

Elizabeth and Erna have the highest praise for America, their adopted country. They have traveled throughout America and have returned to their homelands many times—wanting their children to learn the history of where they came from. They never thought they would nd a best friend after all these years, and are happy and well taken care of at Cedar Community. “God has been good to us.”

Each morning Erna says, “Every day in every way I will be a better person and keep in good health.” She emphasizes to keep positive and think of all the good things in your life.