Marilee Aufdenkamp is an author of early twentieth-century historical fiction rooted in the lives of immigrants, working-class families, and small-town communities. Her debut novel was inspired by her early nursing career at a Nebraska hospital, where she cared for members of the local German from Russia community—individuals who had arrived in Nebraska as children, preserved their traditions over time, and were nearing the end of their lives.

A retired nurse educator, Marilee dedicated twenty-six years to teaching undergraduate nursing before fully committing to her passion for fiction. Her short stories have appeared in a variety of print and electronic publications, and she leads two vibrant online communities: one celebrating the everyday lives of twentieth-century Americans and another supporting historical fiction writers who bring the twentieth century to life.

A California native, Marilee settled in Nebraska as a college freshman and later married a young man who’d spent his childhood on a Nebraska farm. Together, they became late-in-life parents to their only child—a beloved daughter who is now grown. Over the years, they also welcomed three high school exchange students into their home—experiences they deeply cherish.