I had the honor of attending the August Cambridge Book Club, where we read From the Heart’s Closet: A Young Girl’s World War II Story by your very own neighbor, Anneliese (Lee) Krauter. It was an unforgettable afternoon filled with beauty, intelligence, laughter, and connection.

 

Our hostess, Amy, set the tone with an impeccable lunch—homemade soup and a fresh, colorful salad that rivaled anything you could order at a café. The presentation was just as delightful as the flavors. Each guest contributed to the table, and the spread was nothing short of perfection. I must give special recognition to the German potato salad—it was the best I’ve ever tasted (and I come from a long line of German cooks!).

 

But as wonderful as the food was, the true feast came from the company. This group of women is extraordinary: smart, compassionate, engaging, and inclusive. Their longtime friendships with Lee, respect and true admiration was evident. 

 

And then, there was Lee. She walked in with unmistakable poise, grace, and style—a nod to her years in the fashion world of Munich as a young woman. Her ensemble was complete down to her signature fragrance, a perfect reflection of who she is: elegant, composed, and entirely unforgettable. Yet beyond her beauty, what struck us all was her brilliance, wit, and resilience.

 

Lee has lived through what most of us can only read about. She carries within her the memories of life in World War II Germany. Born in the United States to immigrant parents, circumstances led to her repatriation to Germany at just eight years old. There, she spent her most formative years—and at seventeen, she met Joe, the great love of her life and an American soldier.

 

Her book poignantly captures the deep bond she and Joe shared and their joint mission to return to the United States and build a life together. With raw honesty and poetic depth, she reflects on her family, her challenges, and the strength that has defined her journey. Listening to her speak, you can see that her sharp mind and vibrant spirit remain as strong as ever—her insights rival those of someone half her age.

 

What became clear during our discussion is that Lee has found a love and devotion that many dream of, and her family remains her greatest treasure. The strength instilled by her mother, the patriotism and ambition inspired by her father, and the dreams she chased as a young woman—all of it shines through both her story and her presence.

 

Anneliese (Lee) Krauter is truly a gem in our community. Her neighbors adore her, her book club treasures her, and I know my own life has been enriched simply by meeting her.

 

If you haven’t yet had the chance to read From the Heart’s Closet: A Young Girl’s World War II Story, you can find it on Amazon (QR code included below). It is not just a memoir—it is a reminder of how much we can learn from each other’s journeys, and how stories connect us across generations.

 

It was an honor to share in this book club and to celebrate the remarkable life of your neighbor, Anneliese (Lee) Krauter. - Your Stroll Pubisher, Anne Manley

 
Messages from a few Book Club Members: 

Kim Gray - I’ve known Lee for more than 25 years. Before reading her book, I had heard many of her stories, yet I was amazed to discover how much more there was to learn. Her strength, humor, grace, faith, and hope shine through even in the darkest moments. Her story is both inspiring and heartwarming, and even in times of hardship, her ability to find the bright side of situations never fades. Even if she weren't my friend, I would recommend her book. I ended up buying several copies for my book-loving friends.

Heather Collins - Lee’s story is fascinating. She is inspirational and so well-spoken with an incredible memory! It was an honor to be there while she shared her book and life stories.

 

Sarah Morgan -

In August, the Cambridge Book Club gathered to discuss From the Heart’s Closet by our friend and neighbor, Lee Krauter — and we were fortunate to have the author herself join us! Reading a book and then hearing directly from the writer is always a special experience.

 

Lee’s book was beautiful, moving, heartbreaking, shocking, and uplifting — a thousand emotions woven together in a story that captures the raw reality of living through war. It’s a book I highly recommend to everyone, as it reminds us of the importance of remembering our history. It also served as a personal reminder that when we meet someone, we can never truly know the depth of their experiences or the stories they carry. 

Thank you, Lee, for sharing your story and your time with us!

 

Lee’s lifelong passion for sharing stories of history, identity, and resilience has taken her from local classrooms to international stages. Whether through film, public speaking, or community programs, she continues to shed light on a little-known chapter of American history — the internment of German-American families during World War II — and the lasting impact it had on those who lived through it.

In the award-winning documentary Children of Internment, Lee shares her family’s personal experience in U.S. internment camps during World War II. Directed and produced by Indiana locals Joe Crump and Kristina Wagner, the film explores the little-known history of German-American internment during the war. Children of Internment won Best Documentary at the 2015 Santa Fe Film Festival and received an Emmy nomination for Best Historical Documentary the same year. Scan the QR code to stream Children of Internment on Prime Video.

Lee has given countless book talks over the years — at high schools, universities, organizations, and both private and public events. One engagement, however, stands out as especially meaningful. She was invited to speak at a preparatory school in her father’s hometown in Germany, where the student body represented 17 different nations.

Lee delivered her talk in both German — her mother tongue — and English, the foreign language the students were studying. The experience was deeply special to her, and she felt honored to share her story in such a diverse and welcoming setting. Accompanying her on this memorable occasion was her oldest son, Christian, who is fluent in German. A German newspaper covered the event under the headline “Ein Leben zwischen zwei Welten” — “A Life Between Two Worlds.”

Lee attended a talk by a Japanese woman from Carmel, Indiana, at the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library and later spoke with the Library Director about the German side of the internment experience. The Director invited Lee to organize a panel of former internees, resulting in a well-attended program that filled the library. The same Japanese woman attended the event, and it was discovered that her family and Lee’s had both been held at the Crystal City internment camp at the same time.

Through her work — on screen, on stage, and in conversation — Lee continues to build bridges of understanding between cultures and generations. Her dedication to telling these important stories ensures that the lessons of the past are not forgotten, but shared and learned from around the world.

Lee wrote her memoir From the Heart’s Closet to honor her parents and preserve the stories that shaped her family. As she writes in her dedication, "This book is for you, Mommi and Pappi. I wrote it to honor you and to share my memories of our lives together with my own children and with Freddy's, so they can keep these memories alive for their children and those children can do the same for generations to come. You instilled in us the values of strength, loyalty and love. And in spite that happened to us, you both raised us in an atmosphere of forgiveness, with no regrets, no bitterness, never any feelings of revenge or animosity. You taught us to believe in the goodness of man and strive to bring out the best in ourselves.” (p. 296) Beyond that personal tribute, Lee hopes her story will remind readers to treasure their own family histories and to keep asking questions while they still can. She often reflects that she wishes she had asked her grandparents more, and that desire to understand and remember is what continues to drive her today. In sharing her family’s journey, Lee ensures that her parents’ legacy — and the resilience they embodied — will never be lost, but passed down through her children, grandchildren, and all who read her story.