Gertrude Von Berthelsdorf was born in Missouri, a daughter of Richard Von Berthelsdorf 1878-1963 and Amalia Marsinko 1885-1989, both German immigrants. She had siblings Lydia M. 1908-2012, Herman 1909-? and Siegfried Richard 1911-2011.
She was raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon and spoke German until she began school. She changed her name to Gretchen when she moved to Portland in the 1920's, where she worked as a florist.
Gretchen attended the University of Oregon before she married, but graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland in 1955.
Gretchen loved teaching and started her own private kindergarten in 1946 in the basement of her home. She developed her own kindergarten curriculum, and used many of her original ideas when she began teaching primary grades and German in the Portland Public Schools.
A world traveler, she made her first trip to Europe as a flower arranger in 1937 and continued to travel, particularly during her retirement years. Her love of music followed her throughout her life. She played the piano and cello, and especially enjoyed playing piano duets as it brought her closer to her friends.
She was an outstanding parent, artist, writer, airplane pilot, real estate investor, and teller of jokes. Her goal was to make someone laugh every day; and believed that laughter was her secret to a long life.
She outlived her three husbands: Alva (Skip) Graham (m 1938, died 1970), Boris Sirpo (m 1960, died 1967), and J. Harold Clarke. Each represented one of her great interests in life: Children, music and flowers.
She was survived by her brother Siegfried Berthelsdorf, her sister Lydia Colopy, a son and daughter, six grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Siblings:
Siegfried Berthelsdorf
Lydia Colopy
She was raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon and spoke German until she began school. She changed her name to Gretchen when she moved to Portland in the 1920's, where she worked as a florist.
Gretchen attended the University of Oregon before she married, but graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland in 1955.
Gretchen loved teaching and started her own private kindergarten in 1946 in the basement of her home. She developed her own kindergarten curriculum, and used many of her original ideas when she began teaching primary grades and German in the Portland Public Schools.
A world traveler, she made her first trip to Europe as a flower arranger in 1937 and continued to travel, particularly during her retirement years. Her love of music followed her throughout her life. She played the piano and cello, and especially enjoyed playing piano duets as it brought her closer to her friends.
She was an outstanding parent, artist, writer, airplane pilot, real estate investor, and teller of jokes. Her goal was to make someone laugh every day; and believed that laughter was her secret to a long life.
She outlived her three husbands: Alva (Skip) Graham (m 1938, died 1970), Boris Sirpo (m 1960, died 1967), and J. Harold Clarke. Each represented one of her great interests in life: Children, music and flowers.
She was survived by her brother Siegfried Berthelsdorf, her sister Lydia Colopy, a son and daughter, six grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Siblings:
Siegfried Berthelsdorf
Lydia Colopy
Gertrude Von Berthelsdorf was born in Missouri, a daughter of Richard Von Berthelsdorf 1878-1963 and Amalia Marsinko 1885-1989, both German immigrants. She had siblings Lydia M. 1908-2012, Herman 1909-? and Siegfried Richard 1911-2011.
She was raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon and spoke German until she began school. She changed her name to Gretchen when she moved to Portland in the 1920's, where she worked as a florist.
Gretchen attended the University of Oregon before she married, but graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland in 1955.
Gretchen loved teaching and started her own private kindergarten in 1946 in the basement of her home. She developed her own kindergarten curriculum, and used many of her original ideas when she began teaching primary grades and German in the Portland Public Schools.
A world traveler, she made her first trip to Europe as a flower arranger in 1937 and continued to travel, particularly during her retirement years. Her love of music followed her throughout her life. She played the piano and cello, and especially enjoyed playing piano duets as it brought her closer to her friends.
She was an outstanding parent, artist, writer, airplane pilot, real estate investor, and teller of jokes. Her goal was to make someone laugh every day; and believed that laughter was her secret to a long life.
She outlived her three husbands: Alva (Skip) Graham (m 1938, died 1970), Boris Sirpo (m 1960, died 1967), and J. Harold Clarke. Each represented one of her great interests in life: Children, music and flowers.
She was survived by her brother Siegfried Berthelsdorf, her sister Lydia Colopy, a son and daughter, six grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Siblings:
Siegfried Berthelsdorf
Lydia Colopy
She was raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon and spoke German until she began school. She changed her name to Gretchen when she moved to Portland in the 1920's, where she worked as a florist.
Gretchen attended the University of Oregon before she married, but graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland in 1955.
Gretchen loved teaching and started her own private kindergarten in 1946 in the basement of her home. She developed her own kindergarten curriculum, and used many of her original ideas when she began teaching primary grades and German in the Portland Public Schools.
A world traveler, she made her first trip to Europe as a flower arranger in 1937 and continued to travel, particularly during her retirement years. Her love of music followed her throughout her life. She played the piano and cello, and especially enjoyed playing piano duets as it brought her closer to her friends.
She was an outstanding parent, artist, writer, airplane pilot, real estate investor, and teller of jokes. Her goal was to make someone laugh every day; and believed that laughter was her secret to a long life.
She outlived her three husbands: Alva (Skip) Graham (m 1938, died 1970), Boris Sirpo (m 1960, died 1967), and J. Harold Clarke. Each represented one of her great interests in life: Children, music and flowers.
She was survived by her brother Siegfried Berthelsdorf, her sister Lydia Colopy, a son and daughter, six grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Siblings:
Siegfried Berthelsdorf
Lydia Colopy
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