VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The late Herman Stern of Valley City died in 1980 but 37 years after his death he’s being recognized for his act of humanity to save lives from Nazis Germany death camps in the 1930’s.

The documentary “The Mission of Herman Stern” was shown in the Vangstad auditorium at Valley City State University on November 27th.

Carl Oberholtzer is a retired history teacher and co-producer of the film. He said the film will be a great learning tool for students and others.

Stern’s grandson Rick Stern said his grandfather work tirelessly to save 125 people from certain death. He also worked to promote North Dakota and Valley City.

He said his grandfather never liked publicity, he thought it was bragging. Rick said he’s honored that his grandfather is receiving this kind of recognition for his act of kindness. He said the personal relationship that his grandfather had with North Dakota U.S. Senator Gerald Nye of Cooperstown was instrumental in saving these people.

Rick Stern told the audience in Valley City about how his grandfather and grandmother worked as a team for 69 years. He said his grandmother was a talented woman in her own right.

Documentary Director/Producer Art Phillips said Herman Stern’s selfless efforts to help others, deserved to be told on film. The documentary will be shown is schools across the region and hopefully across the country in the future.

Herman Stern was also the subject of a book called: “You Have Been Kind Enough to Assist Me: written by Terry Shoptaugh of Moorhead. The biography details how Stern saved people destined for Hitler’s concentration camps.

Stern’s act of humanity was recognized via of a historical marker that describes his efforts to save lives. The marker is erected in Veteran Memorial Park in Valley City.

Herman Stern owned the Straus Clothing store and was instrumental in getting the North Dakota Winter Show Arena built in Valley City. He was the founder’s of the Greater North Dakota Chamber that promotes the state of North Dakota. He was also a big supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. Stern was instrumental in the creation of Camp Wilderness which is a Boy Scout camp near Park Rapids, Minnesota.

To learn more about the film go to www.themissionofhermanstern.org