German immigrant’s story of leaving for Rockford during WW2

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Many filled the Boone County Museum Lecture Room to hear the story of Tilli Schulze, a German immigrant, and how she found her way to Rockford during World War II.

“I remember as a child, my mom having nightmares about what she went through. And after this book was written, her nightmares were gone,” said Schulze’s daughter, Barbra Gorham. “It’s a story of strong women that I think everybody in this country should hear. And it’s a whole different side of World War Two. It’s the German side.”

Schulze worked with Lorna Collier on her book, “Tilli’s Story My Thoughts are Free.” Collier said it’s a book for everyone from young adults and up.

“It’s been published in three different languages, and she, Tilli is not with us any longer. Unfortunately,” said Collier. “But she had a strong message about the importance of freedom, and she wanted everyone to know how much we need to cherish in this country because they had it taken from them in theirs.”

“I was actually in on the very beginnings of the book where my mom was making some tapes and I got to listen to them and it turns out that they found Lorna,” said Schulze’s son Erich. Lorna was a great person to write the book.”

Schulze and her husband ended up in Rockford where their kids work and live. They hope to continue to share her story and are always happy to see so many interested.

“I mean, I think I’m most proud of the fact that she wants people to cherish their freedom,” said Eric Shulze.

“So many people came to her and thanked her and said, This is basically my story also, but I’ve never been able to tell it or stories were lost,” said Gorham.

The family hopes to get her story on the big screen. To find more information about the book visit the website .

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