Tribute

Gertrud Eberhardt (nee Müller) was born August 17, 1926 in the town of Kolowert (Wolhynia) Poland. Wolhynia was an agricultural region on the Polish Ukrainian border inhabited by many German-speaking people. Her parents were Ludwig and Emma Mueller (nee Brodehl) and she had two brothers, Bernhard (1924) and Horst (1936).

In 1927, the family moved to Mitwalde, near Briesen in northwest Poland. Here she grew up on her parent’s farm. In 1944, Gertrud was baptized on her confession of faith by the pastor of the local Baptist church, Rev. Thielemann.

In January of 1945 during severe winter conditions, the family fled with a wagon and two horses just ahead of the advancing Russian army. This harrowing trek with many thousands of other refugees spanned over 550km across a frozen river and through freezing temperatures, illness and terror. After 10 weeks they arrived in the small West German town of Calberlah near Wolfsburg. They had lost their farm and everything they owned except what had been carried on the small wagon, most of which had been oats for the horses.

A small Baptist congregation of refugees was quickly formed where Gertrud served in Sunday school and sang in the church choir. It was there that she met her future husband, Günther Eberhardt, who had also arrived in the area as a refugee from his home in East Germany, then under Russian control. They married on June 1, 1951, and upon Günther’s completion of a three-year painting apprenticeship in 1952, they sailed for Canada under the refugee immigration sponsorship of the Baptist World Alliance.

Vancouver was their final destination, and from their first glimpse they fell in love with this beautiful city on the edge of a safe and prosperous land. They arrived with empty pockets and $500 in travel debt, but with a deep reservoir of grit, ambition, perseverance and faith, they built a thriving life for their family. Fraser St. became a hub for many German immigrants during the 1950s, and they soon had a tight circle of friends at the German-speaking Immanuel Baptist Church. Their son Fred arrived in 1954, and their daughter Annette in 1958.

Gertrud was a passionate homemaker. After the loss of schooling and opportunity during the war, she learned by doing. She landscaped and created stunning flower gardens, harvesting her fruit trees and baking like a pastry chef. She entertained and hosted countless visitors. Her home rang out with singing and laughter. She was a professional seamstress skilled in tailoring and traced out hundreds of dress patterns on tissue paper, sewing for many others. And just like the Proverbs 31 woman, her lamp did not go out at night. Mom taught herself to read English and spent many years improving her education by reading broadly.

In retirement, she and Günther loved to gather with friends, pore over maps, and crisscross the US on driving adventures. In 1994, Gertrud and Günther moved to Abbotsford to be close to their children and grandchildren. She poured much energy, care and love into the lives of the next generation. Her heart was service, and her faith unwavering. Her character was shaped by hardship, loss, perseverance and courage.

In 2022, Gertrud was widowed, and longed for heaven herself. The family is grateful for the wonderful care she received at Hallmark on the Park and at Holmberg House. Gertrud was ushered into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend on Jan. 29, 2025.

She leaves behind a grateful family: son Fred Eberhardt (Connie) and daughter Annette Fast (Ed); grandchildren Carmen Hollett (Rodney), Paul Eberhardt (Heidi), Sonja Hindmarsh (Jared), Emily Smith (Jesse), Steven Eberhardt (Christina), Rachel Roy (Davin); and 20 great grandchildren. We mourn, but not as those who have no hope.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”