Born in October of 1923, Grese grew up in an ordinary, agricultural German family with four other siblings. As usual, she attended school with her siblings and helped with the household chores. In contrast, Grese’s adolescent years were not in her favor and marked a definite period of change. She was quite enthralled with the Nazi youth organization her father highly disapproved of, the League of German Girls . Later, her mother reportedly committed suicide by drinking hydrochloric acid in 1936 due an affair committed by her father. Two years later, in 1938, Grese’s poor academic performance leads her to leave school and her father’s home at age fifteen in search for work instead. Her first employment was six months at an agricultural farm before working at a hospital. Upon entering the hospital, Grese knew she desired to become a trained nurse and work there permanently. Despite her hard work, the German Labor Exchange denied her request and removed her from the hospital after two years . Once again, Grese found herself relocated and employed at another farm. Although discouraged, she did not protest her employment at the dairy farm and persistently reapplied to become a nurse. Her efforts were rejected a second time in 1942 and was being transferred once more. Only this time, Grese objected the Labor Exchange’s decision to send her away. Irma Grese, now nineteen years old and without a family, quietly left after much deliberation to a job at Ravensbruck Concentration
Born in October of 1923, Grese grew up in an ordinary, agricultural German family with four other siblings. As usual, she attended school with her siblings and helped with the household chores. In contrast, Grese’s adolescent years were not in her favor and marked a definite period of change. She was quite enthralled with the Nazi youth organization her father highly disapproved of, the League of German Girls . Later, her mother reportedly committed suicide by drinking hydrochloric acid in 1936 due an affair committed by her father. Two years later, in 1938, Grese’s poor academic performance leads her to leave school and her father’s home at age fifteen in search for work instead. Her first employment was six months at an agricultural farm before working at a hospital. Upon entering the hospital, Grese knew she desired to become a trained nurse and work there permanently. Despite her hard work, the German Labor Exchange denied her request and removed her from the hospital after two years . Once again, Grese found herself relocated and employed at another farm. Although discouraged, she did not protest her employment at the dairy farm and persistently reapplied to become a nurse. Her efforts were rejected a second time in 1942 and was being transferred once more. Only this time, Grese objected the Labor Exchange’s decision to send her away. Irma Grese, now nineteen years old and without a family, quietly left after much deliberation to a job at Ravensbruck Concentration