ENGEN - The family is very sadden to announce the peaceful passing of Mrs. Gertrude Engen 92 years of Humboldt at Humboldt District Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday, May 9, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. Gertrude was born on December 15, 1919 to Adam and Olga (nee Kelbert) Wiese at Springfield Municipality, Manitoba the eldest child of four. She attended Corrall School and excelled in history and geography. Following her education as most women of that era she worked for a Dr.'s family and did domestic duties. Due to her mother becoming ill with cancer she returned home to look after her mom and then later stayed to help her dad. On March 4, 1947 Gertrude married Anton Greschuk and they were blessed with a daughter Judith Barbara. With in a few years Anton died tragically in a tractor accident. Gertrude remained on the farm for 1 year. She then met Melvin Engen and they were married on April 1, 1950 in Melfort and she became a mother to Melvin's son Douglas. Melvin and Gertrude then were blessed with a daughter Valerie Carol to complete their family of three children. Following their marriage they moved to Carrot River where they farmed from 1950 - 1974. Gertrude was very active in the daily operations of the family farm where she loved to drive the tractor. Gertrude then began working as a special care aid with home care in Tisdale. She worked there for 15 years then due to failing health she had to retire. On November 20, 2005 they moved to Humboldt, where she became the caregiver to Melvin until February 2007 when Melvin moved to St. Mary's Villa. Melvin passed away in 2009. Gertrude continued to live independently with her daughter Val and Russell until December 2011. Gertrude was a very active social person who loved people. Gertrude made many memories trying to catch the "Big One" fishing around many lakes in Saskatchewan. They travelled to many destinations in Canada and the USA just to name a few: northern parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and the USA. She was very active in her faith. While in Tisdale she volunteered for the home care auxiliary and was a very committed member of the Canadian Legion Auxiliary for 45 years. In her quiet time she loved to crochet, knit, sew, cross stitch, paint and garden. The important part of Gertrude's life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren they brought her much love and happiness. She has left a message for her family to be remembered by "All the good time we had together Birthdays, Xmas, holidays, our love of nature as well. Our closeness as a family I Thank God for making my life filled with joy." In Gertrude's words "they have been wonderful to me"! Gertrude's friendly gentle personality will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her three children, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren: JUDITH (Keith) Edwards of St. Albert, AB and family, Cheryl (Allan) Bell and children David and Nicole, Corrine Edwards and Jason Edwards all of St. Albert, AB; DOUGLAS (Marj) Engen of Humboldt and family, Lori Webb and children Gabrielle and Ashton of Saskatoon, and Duane Engen and daughter Ella of Penticton, BC; and VALERIE (Russell) Dempster of Humboldt and family, Allison (Les) Samoleski and children Breanna and Cohl, Teri Lynn (Jason) Tremblay and children Mercedes, Brooklyn, Chase and Preston all of Prince Albert and Ryan (Jessica) Dempster of Moose Jaw and daughter Paityn; one sister-in-law: Stella Wiese of Winnipeg; and by numerous nieces and nephews. Gertrude was predeceased by her husbands, Anton Greschuk 1949 and Melvin Engen 2009; parents, Adam and Olga Wiese; three brothers, Roy Wiese, Ernie (Anne) Wiese and Archie (Pat) Wiese. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. from Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home Humboldt, officiated by Rev. Al Hingley. Others taking part in the service were: organist, Tanya Wuchner; scripture readers, Lori Webb, Corrine Edwards and Allison Samoleski; memories of grandma, Teri Lynn Tremblay; tribute to mom, Valerie Dempster and soloists, Jean Engen and Esther Welch; Honorary pallbearers were "All those who shared in Gertie's journey through life and into death". Pallbearers were: Ryan Dempster, Allison Samoleski, Cohl Samoleski, Teri Lynn Tremblay, Jason Tremblay and Allan Bell. Interment followed at the Kinistino Cemetery Society Inc Kinistino, SK. Memorial donations in Gertrude's memory may be directed to Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan or Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to MALINOSKI & DANYLUIK FUNERAL HOME Humboldt, SK.
