100 Years!

Granny Gerk in 1980

She was 23 years old.  Shy and alone, she managed to travel from her little village in Russia of Josefstal, near the Volga River...obtain her visa in Moscow, travel to Latvia...board a ship...sail to England...board another ship...and travel to Quebec City...arriving on the SS Minnedosa on October 16, 1925.

Our grandmother, Elisabeth Dieser Gerk, would board a train and meet her husband, our grandfather, Paul Gerk, in Holdfast, Saskatchewan.

 I've written before about her story and arrival in Canada here.

100 years is a long time.  It's important that all of us ponder from time to time, the events that lead us to "being here".  

Granny Gerk was such an amazing lady....one of those kind grandmothers that you can never forget.

I shake my head when I think of her story.  The absolute bravery of her traveling across the world to this country. The Mennonites and other people she told me who helped her on her journey. 

 

Passenger List for Elisabeth Gerk

SS Minnedosa

 

Russian Passport for Elisabeth Gerk

 

Elisabeth Gerk with husband Paul Gerk, October 1925

Our family has much to be thankful for.  Starting with these two amazing young people, Paul and Elisabeth Gerk. Our grandparents.