The origins of the Löwenhardt family do not lie in Dortmund. Adolf Löwenhardt came from either Hemer or Oberhemer in the nearby Sauerland region, while Julia Löwenhardt originated from the Netherlands.
In 1910, they moved to an address in Lindenhorsterstrasse, where they kept a butcher’s shop.

While living in Dortmund, the Löwenhardts had two sons, Heinz (born 1913) and Werner (born 1919).

In 1936, the Löwenhardt family left Dortmund and moved to the Netherlands. However, the parents and sons went to live in different places.

From 1942 onwards, son Werner had to do forced labour in various camps in north Holland, before being deported together with his father to Westerbork camp. Julia followed them a few days later.

Julia and Adolf Löwenhardt were deported in April 1943 to Theresienstadt and then in October 1944 to Auschwitz. Two days after their arrival, they were murdered in the gas chambers.

The brothers Werner and Heinz both survived the Holocaust: Werner remained in Westerbork camp until the liberation in 1945, while Heinz was able to live in hiding from 1942 with a friendly family. After the war, both returned to Germany.