Gertrude Padjen's Obituary
Gertrude Maria Padjen Our beloved mother died on the morning of June 15, 2011. She was born on September 14 1924 in Vienna, Austria to Karl and Maria Bruner, the oldest of seven children. A child of the Depression, she attended school while working to help support her family. As a teenager, at the outbreak of the Second World War, she was enlisted by the German Reich to work in an aircraft factory on the North Sea. In 1945, as Allied troops overwhelmed German forces, she and a girlfriend made a harrowing journey on foot through the advancing Russian lines back to her home and family in Austria. Soon she found work in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, where she met a charming, athletic Army Medic, Michael Padjen. In 1951 Gertrude and Michael were wed. Gertrude and Michael had two children, Frederich Michael and Pia Renata, while stationed in Germany. Transferred back to the States, Gertrude raised their children and polished her English language skills while Michael pursued a career in the U.S. Army. In 1959 Gertrude and Michael settled in Washington State, first in DuPont, later in Lakewood. Gertrude resumed her working career, ironing clothes for neighbors and cleaning houses until she landed a job with National Bank of Washington, rolling coins. From this humble beginning she rose through the ranks to become a Bank Manager for many years for various bank branches in the Tacoma area. After Michael's passing in 1992, she traveled extensively, back to Europe as well as Turkey, Egypt and Brazil. She formed a close relationship with the women at the Steilacoom Community Center, where she volunteered and participated in regular exercise programs until her health began to fail early this year. Gertrude is survived by her brothers Ingo, Rudi, and Hermann, as well as sisters Henrika and Irmi; her daughter Pia and son Frederick, grandchildren Paul, Andy, and Holly, and great-grandchildren Amethyst, Mylez, and Emerald Moon. A memorial service for Gertrude will be held at Lakewood Lutheran Church, Lakewood, WA, Monday, June 20, 2011 at 3PM, followed by a burial service at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Lakewood Lutheran Church or Steilacoom Community Center.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. Phone #253-584-0252. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com.
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