In this month's episode of Archive Dive, Telegram reporter Teri Cadeau and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek dive into the story of Robert Chapman and his mother Mary Chapman.

For 25 years, Mary Chapman was the organist at Cathedral of Christ the King church in Superior and walked there every day, year round. A mother of seven children, Mary Chapman was also a widow at a young age and experienced great loss again in October 1944 when her youngest son Robert was killed in action in the Netherlands during World War II.

Private Robert Chapman was with the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, a unit within the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Meronek said he was either 21 or 22 years old at the time of his death.

"Apparently two of the officers in his unit had been shot and he went out and tried to help them and he got struck by a bullet while he was going out there to help him, but he stayed there. He tried to bandage them up and then he was carrying one of the men off the field and he died," said Meronek.

After his death, Private Chapman was awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star and the Bronze Lion decoration from the government of the Netherlands. His body was not brought back to Superior and he was buried in the Netherlands.

But, that is not where the story ends. A woman named Nora Hodiamont in the Netherlands began taking care of Robert's grave. Similar to how Mary Chapman was devoted to her task by traveling by foot to play the organ, Hodiamont was devoted to her task too, traveling many miles by bike to tend to the grave of Robert Chapman, along with others who were buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in the village of Margraten.

"She (Nora) loved her country because family was so important in all of this. She rode her bike 17 miles to take care of these graves."

Mary Chapman and Hodiamont would eventually connect, first through letters and then in person. Almost a decade after Robert's death, an article appeared in the Telegram in 1953 highlighting Mary and Nora's friendship. Mary first visited Nora in the Netherlands and a year after that encounter, Hodiamont visited the U.S. and Mary.

"It may seem small, but it really wasn't. Making sure a grave is taken care of - what a difference that made in people's lives. To know that somebody was taking care of it and it established a friendship too because of it. A friendship across the ocean."

"She (Nora) would also put flowers on the grave, just like a mom would or a family member would take care of somebody's grave. She made sure that he (Robert) didn't miss that part since he was going to miss the rest of his life," Meronek added.

Residents still care for the graves in the cemetery to this day.

"The Dutch people were just so grateful that the Americans had come in and did what they did to help liberate the country," said Meronek.

It isn't known when Hodiamont died, but Mary Chapman died in 1962 in Superior at the age of 69.

"She didn't change the world or even the city or anything, but she gave. She gave her son and she still made her mark though. I like that," said Meronek.

Other topics discussed in this episode:

• Mary Chapman's double wedding in 1911.

• How Mary got her start as an organist and her other musical talents.

• The generations of Dutch people and their gratitude to those who helped liberate them.

• The option for deceased soldiers to return to the U.S. or remain buried in the Netherlands.

• Mary's trip to see Robert's grave and meet Nora.

• Operation Market Garden and how it was featured in the TV series Band of Brothers

• Where did Robert work before he went into the service?

• And much more.

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. If you have an idea that you'd like us to explore, email Teri Cadeau at TCadeau@superiortelegram.com.