DeutschAxthelms Everywhere: Even in Antarctica, a Thuringian farming family has left its mark.
From “Thüringer Allgemeine, 02.06.2026” by Armin Burghardt
Sömmerda District. 1,150 years for the old homeland, 250 years for the new one across the pond, and 435 years of family history: How it all fits together.
The Axthelm family at the family reunion in Ostramondra, 2026. © Kai Axthelm
Coming up soon (June 26 to 28), Rettgenstedt—where the Axthelm Monument, re-erected in 2016, stands on land owned by the Axthelm family—will celebrate the 1,150th anniversary of its first documented mention. On July 4, the USA will celebrate its 250th birthday. Fitting right in between these dates, the Axthelm family has just reflected on 435 years of recorded family history. And somehow, it all comes together.
Kai Axthelm from the Axthelm farm shop in Ostramondra, beside his wife.
“I have an acquaintance at the *Alte Molkerei* [Old Dairy] in Kölleda. She wanted to know what was going on here. The entire hotel is booked solid—and everyone staying there is named Axthelm!” says Kai Axthelm. The farmer, butcher, and chairman of the Ostramondra/Rettgenstedt Local Heritage Association laughs. “It looks no different over at the caravan park!”
An Axthelm family reunion took place in Ostramondra over the weekend—the third of its kind, following gatherings in 1939 and 2016.
“We had actually wanted to meet up again back in 2021, but that wasn’t possible due to the coronavirus,” says Kai Axthelm. “So, back in January of last year, my father set May 30, 2026, as the new date—ten years after the last one.”
The first family gathering, held in 1939, was organized by Heinz Axthelm (1909–1972), a pastor from Eckartsberga. It was also he who meticulously researched the family history; after studying church records—which frequently mentioned the Axthelm name in Bachra, Ostramondra, Rettgenstedt, Olbersleben, and Lossa—he gained a “clear overview dating back to 1591.” He concluded “that the Axthelm lineage was already an old-established farming family in Germany around the year 1500—specifically in the Unstrut region situated between Kölleda and Laucha.”
On Saturday afternoon, 77 descendants of Herrmann Julius Axthelm and Lina Therese Axthelm (née Radestock)—who had settled in Teutleben with their nine children—gathered at the village community center in Ostramondra for coffee and cake.
The name Axthelm is traced back to the term *Axtholm*—meaning the handle of an axe. Alongside an upright (ascending) acorn, this motif also adorns the simple blue-and-yellow family coat of arms—an emblem the Axthelms were entitled to bear after their farming lineage was elevated to the ranks of the nobility.
“Today, more Axthelms live in America than in Germany,” notes Herta Keil, herself an Axthelm by birth.
Two descendants of the emigrants—hailing from across the “big pond”—had traveled to Ostramondra for the weekend. John Joshua Axthelm, an architect from Montana (and formerly Nebraska), had come to Germany accompanied by one of his seven daughters. He also has two sons, he adds.
“I love it here,” he says. He had previously visited Ostramondra in 1992 with his parents. “We took a stroll around the village back then,” recalls Herta Keil. “When his mother saw the condition of the roads, she whispered to his father that she could finally understand why his ancestors had wanted to leave this place,” she says with a laugh. John Joshua Axthelm confirms the story. Since then, he notes, things have certainly changed for the better. For him, the family reunion marks the kickoff of a European tour. From Ostramondra, his journey takes him via Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam to Rome—the city where he once studied. He had actually missed the very first modern-era family reunion. “Back then, it was simply too expensive with the children,” he explains.
Karl-Ulrich (clan meeting organisation), Christopher (USA), Sebastian Axthelm (website admin)
The other American Axthelm in the group—Christopher—wears a symbol of his family ties right over his heart. A native of Washington, D.C., he has had the family coat of arms tattooed onto his skin. Here in Ostramondra, he excitedly passes around a map for everyone to see. It is a map of Antarctica. Located at the coordinates 69° 30′ South latitude and 159° 0′ East longitude lies Axthelm Ridge—a narrow mountain ridge, approximately 6.5 kilometers long, situated along the Oates Coast. It was named in honor of Commander Charles E. Axthelm (b. 1928). Christopher proudly displays photos of him—along with his military decorations—on his mobile phone.
“And now Rolf Axthelm has arrived, too!” calls out Karl-Ulrich Axthelm, announcing the latest arrival. Rolf currently lives in Brazil. “Now all that’s left is to wait for the Canadians.”
On the left, Christiane Axthelm with certificates of participation.
Karl-Ulrich Axthelm, who hails from Zeitz, is the man keeping everything organized. He has meticulously archived all the contact details and sent out every single invitation. His wife, Christiane, was stationed at the “entrance,” checking off arrivals and handing out certificates of participation to the attendees.
There are Axthelms to be found in Denmark, Australia, and Switzerland—and, of course, in various other regions of Germany as well.
Naturally, with such a widespread family, there is plenty to talk about. Perhaps stories about Lena Louise Axthelm, for instance, who worked as a cook in Goethe’s household between 1826 and 1829. Or tales of the Darr & Axthelm Royal Carriage Works —founded in Eisenach, Germany in 1869—and its successor, the Axthelm Coachbuilding and Luxury Car Works in Weimar.
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