Hometown Glenwood girl writes family memoir
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Sue (Luepke) Berg recently wrote a family memoir entitled Solid Roots and Strong Wings which chronicles her growing up years in Glenwood City. Raised in a family of four brothers, she tells about life is a small Wisconsin town where main street thrived, the public school system produced successful graduates and a strong sense of civic responsibility and service was evident.
Midwest Book Review writes, “Wisconsin has strong rural roots to flourish from. Solid Roots and Strong Wings: A Memoir of Family Life in Wisconsin is a memoir from Sue Berg, as she recounts her own family history and what she has learned as a family woman in the state, presenting a thoughtful and down-to-earth story that shouldn’t be overlooked. Solid Roots and Strong Wings is an excellent pick for general memoir collections focusing on Wisconsin life.”
Sue’s writing career began by accident. “I was home during Christmas two years ago and listened to so many great family stories and looked through a photo album which brought back so many memories. On the way back to Westby, I had the thought that someone should write these down in a book so they wouldn’t be forgotten. During my Christmas break, I sat down at my computer and began pounding out the stories I remembered. Soon the words formed chapters, and with the help of my family, the stories and anecdotes expanded into a book.”
Sue credits her paternal grandmother with her writing interest. Anna Luepke wrote the Glenwood City News column for many years. In addition, she put the story of her parent’s immigration down on paper. Sue shares, “The story of my great grandparent’s trip to Wisconsin from Germany and their settlement in the Glenwood City area is included in my book as a tribute to all the immigrants who came to America with very little except their dreams of a better life.” Many of Sue’s nieces and nephews were not familiar with their family history. “It was important to me that the next generation has some sense of the personal history of their family; their trials, successes and accomplishments. In giving them this in the form of a book, I feel I have accomplished one of my life goals,” Sue says.
“My husband, Alan, deserves a slap on the back for all his encouraging words while I was writing. He truly was the wind beneath my wings throughout the project.” Sue currently teaches 5th grade science at Viroqua Area Schools in Viroqua, Wisconsin. She enjoys writing, watercolor painting, and mentoring and guiding her three grandchildren.
Books can be purchased online at Amazon Books.com or from Sue at bergsue@hotmail.com..