Coming to Mokena: Finding New Freedom

Those who survived World War II in Europe have terrible stories to tell. Willem and Ann came from a small, proud ancient city in The Netherlands. They married in 1939 wealthy and at the top of their society. World War II destroyed their plans, ruined their fortune and almost killed them and their children through starvation. Ann defied the death penalty to hide five men from slavery in work camps. After the war, penniless, they came to America to start over. Through faith, strength and endless optimism, they built their own house and rebuilt their lives in a small farm town in Illinois. This is their story.