Gertrude Thomas

Gertrude Thomas, 94, passed away at Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw on Sept. 11, 2020 with her nieces Irene Luciak and Marj Bertrand by her side.

Our Aunt Gertrude was born in the St. Boswells area on August 27, 1926. She was the youngest child of Simon and Christine (Stehr) Wornath. She worked as a switchboard operator for awhile in British Columbia and lived with her older sister Bertha and her family at Cloverdale. Doreen remembers Aunt Gertrude teaching her to crochet during the time she lived with them. When she came back to Saskatchewan she worked as a switchboard operator and later at the TD Bank in Hodgeville while caring for her parents.

She married Andrew Thomas on November 25, 1961. They farmed in the Arbuthnot district and retired to Swift Current in 1982 and then a few years ago she moved to Moose Jaw to reside at Mulberry Estate then to Caleb Village (Point West).

She and Uncle Andrew loved to travel. They bought a motor home and traveled to many parts of the United States and Canada. One thing she really wanted to do was go on a Cruise.  Thanks to Irene and her daughters Candace and Kim that dream came true a couple of years ago when the 4 of them set out on a Cruise. She loved to keep in contact with family and friends by phone or letters and then decided to get an iPad  to also keep in touch with family. It didn’t take long for her to master that and then on to Facebook. She never gave up on her many hobbies like reading, knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting and even kept a few plants to look after. Many of the nieces and nephews have many fond memories of Aunt Gertrude and many of us have hand made items that she made and chose for us that we will always cherish.

Aunt Gertrude’s Christian faith remained strong. When she was not able to attend regular Church services she was so happy when one of the Ministers would stop by her home for a visit.

Aunt Gertrude was predeceased by her loving husband Andrew on February 16, 2008. Also predeceased by her parents Simon and Christine Wornath, her brothers and sisters Albert (Marie) Wornath, Bertha (Ted) Kober, Adelea (Peter) Miller, Hilda (Karl) Silzer, Annetta (Herman) Silzer, Leontine Wornath, Otto Wornath, Clara (Kasper) Fiege, former sister-in-law Ingeborg Wornath, her niece Lorretta Wornath and nephew Norman Silzer. She will be dearly missed by many nieces and nephews and friends.

The Private Funeral Service for Gertrude Thomas was held on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 2:00 pm from St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Swift Current, SK with Rev. Linda Hall officiating. “When Peace Like a River,” “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise,” and “For the Beauty of the Earth” were played for the congregation, with Gloria Allison serving as organist. The reader was Marj Bertrand. The eulogy was given by Joyce Kaufmann. The ushers in the church were Ted Wornath, Vic Allison, and Candace Luciak.

The Interment Service was held from Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with Ernie Wilson, Corey MacLeod, Gerald Silzer, Ken Kaufmann, Eugene Gelinas, and Murray Senicar serving as Pallbearers. Honourary Pallbearers were Art & Jean Straub.

In memory of Gertrude Thomas, donations made to the St. Olaf Memorial Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

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