New Luxembourger Brings Taste of Luxembourg to US

Luxembourg’s growing community of dual citizens in the United States continues to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, with many embracing their heritage and sharing it through language, tradition and entrepreneurship.

Chronicle.lu has partnered with Luxembourg Dual Citizenship Consultation Services for a new series of articles on Luxembourg Americans - individuals who have reclaimed Luxembourg nationality to become dual citizens. The first article in this series - facilitated by Mary Gellerup Bolich - introduces Kate Ansay, a dual citizen from Wisconsin whose company, Everyday Luxembourg, brings a taste of Luxembourg to homes across the United States.Kate Ansay has been immersed in Luxembourg culture her entire life so it is unsurprising that it became her career. She was born and raised in the Luxembourg settlement of Lake Church, Wisconsin, an unincorporated village just outside of Belgium, Wisconsin, in the US.

“I was born into a family that kept traditions alive in everyday ways - language, food and kinship,” said Kate Ansay, whose close-knit family had frequent gatherings with grandparents, cousins and neighbours.

Having attended St John XXIII Catholic School in Port Washington, Wisconsin, and Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, she spent a lot of time with her grandparents Adolph Ansay and Marie (Krier) Ansay. Her Ansay/Ernster ancestors hailed from Rommeldange and Trintange. Her Krier/Mans ancestors were from Bertrange and Useldange.

“Those years with my grandparents helped shape who I am today. Luxembourg was always part of our conversations and traditions, woven quietly into daily life. My grandpa often spoke Luxembourgish and although I rarely understood what he was saying, I was fascinated by the sound of it. It felt like a secret link to another place.”

One place Kate Ansay always felt her family’s connection to Luxembourg was at the dinner table. “Bouneschlupp”, the hearty green bean and potato soup, was her favourite. “Träipen”, or “mustriepen” as it is known in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, not so much.

“But even mustreipen has its place in my memories, showing up on plates at the Belgium Community Center, where the whole family would gather for dinners that felt like celebrations of who we were,” she said.

Luxembourg Legacy: A Passion Becomes a Career

With a degree in urban planning from the University of Cincinnati, Kate Ansay leads Ansay Development Corporation, one of the Ansay family of businesses. The third-generation companies, Ansay & Associates and Ansay International, are run by her father Mike Ansay. The division she leads specialises in the acquisition, development and management of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural real estate in communities throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. 

One of the biggest highlights of her career was establishing Everyday Luxembourg. The company imports a carefully curated selection of Luxembourg gourmet food and home products, mustard to chocolates and t-shirts to Bofferding beer glasses, all available on their website. The company also offers a quarterly Lux Box containing exclusive home goods, food, drink and other specialties from Luxembourg. It will soon launch a direct-to-consumer platform where customers will be able to order Bofferding, Ramborn and Domaines Vinsmoselle and other products online with delivery right to their doorstep. 

“Building something entirely from the ground up taught me how to trust my instincts, take risks and gain confidence working with people from different countries and cultures,” Kate said. 

Everyday Luxembourg

Starting the business during the COVID-19 pandemic was a defining moment, rooted in the idea of bringing Luxembourg to people’s homes when travel was not possible, and Kate was proud it took off and succeeded. She is also proud of signing well-known Luxembourg companies Ramborn cider, Bofferding beer, Domaines Vinsmoselle wine and crémant and Opyos gin, partnerships that opened the door to conducting international business and building relationships across borders.

The company is described as a great way for Kate to carry on her Luxembourg legacy.

“Heritage isn’t only something you research. It’s something you live through food, traditions and fellowship. Everyday Luxembourg helps keep people connected to their heritage.” 

On her visits to Luxembourg, Kate Ansay said her favourite thing to do is get a glass of crémant and sit in one of the two squares in Luxembourg City and people watch. She also loves discovering new restaurants. 

“On my last trip, I enjoyed a fantastic meal at Um Plateau overlooking the old city. It was a great meal and a great view. I also love going to the Mullerthal region.”

However, one of her most memorable experiences in Luxembourg was visiting the Grand Ducal Palace and meeting Grand Duke Henri. 

“My dad, a few other people and I had the incredible honour of presenting the plans for the plaza we were naming after the grand duke outside of the Luxembourg American Cultural Center in Belgium, Wisconsin. Standing there, representing our Wisconsin roots and our Luxembourgish heritage was truly unforgettable. It was a moment that beautifully connected the two worlds that have shaped my life, a deep reminder of where our family comes from and how those ties continue to grow stronger across generations.”