Bergholz-Rehbrücke mourns: Good spirit Erika Haenel died!

Bergholz-Rehbrücke mourns: Good spirit Erika Haenel died!

Bergholz-Rehbrücke, Deutschland - With a heavy heart, the municipality of Bergholz-Rehbrücke said goodbye to its "good soul", Erika Haenel. On July 7, 2025, the committed citizen died at the age of 92. Haenel leaves a gap that will not only be noticeable in her hometown, but also in memory of the history of the Second World War, which she tirelessly addressed. maz-online.de reports that Erika Haenel received the Federal Cross of Merit for their tireless efforts, an award that she thought not only for themselves, but also for many other people who deserved an order.

Your commitment was diverse. From 1990 to 2007 she was a member of the municipal council and campaigned for the establishment of a plaque for forced laborers at the Bergholz-Rehbrücke train station. She saw this table as an important part of the culture of remembrance. Uwe Jaeger, a companion from the municipal council, praised her persistence while Monika Zeeb, a former colleague, emphasized her ability to energetfully conduct debates.

a life for the community

Erika Haenel was not only a political figure, but also a personality that enriched social life. As chair of the local association and editor of the "Nuthe-Boten", she actively campaigned for the community. She also organized children's festivals to bring families together and in 2009 reminded of the horrors of the Second World War. Her daughter, Ulrike Kochhan, also remembers Haenel's commitment in puppetry art and the founding of the doll stage "Bagage".

Another characteristic of her work was her critical attitude towards the social structures. In 2007 she read from her husband's Stasi files to draw attention to the mechanisms of the surveillance state. This commitment was part of her broader goal of promoting justice and education.

vandalism and culture of remembrance

A sad aspect of the last months of her life was the repeated vandalism on the plaque, which is reminiscent of the former passage camp for forced laborers. This table, which was only unveiled in September 2022, has been damaged for the third time in the past few weeks, which Haenel put in the context of a political background. The table should actually be a place of memory and reflection, but instead, Haenel was forced to temporarily reduce her. dailyspiegel.de reports of your worries about vandalism and hope that the board will soon be able to set up in the new location.

The memorial, consisting of the table and two railway sleepers, was launched with financial support from the home club and by donating citizens. The topic of forced labor is also reflected in a larger network that connects over 30 memorials in Germany. The examination of this dark story is not only important for the local context, but also for the general perception of National Socialism. memorial staettenforum.de emphasizes that the memory work is not only used, but is also important as an educational resource for future generations.

Erika Haenel's legacy will live on the heart of the people in Bergholz-Rehbrücke. Your tireless commitment to justice, education and the collective memory will not be forgotten. A celebration of their life and work is planned in the community to honor their way of honoring their way.