Gertrude D. Schwarz

SCHWARZ, Gertrude, age 91, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2002. She was born May 25, 1910, in Dresden, Germany, to Arthur and Freida Deitze. In 1914, she came to the United States with her family to join relatives in Chicago, where she grew up, graduated from Carl Shurz High School, and afterward worked as a typist. Gertrude was married in 1929 to Otto Schwarz, who was born in Southern Bavaria and immigrated to Chicago in the early 1920's, where he worked as a tuckpointer. They later moved with their young son to Fort Myers, FL, in 1959, where they pioneered the commercial growing of tomatoes by hydroponics and, thereafter, her husband built custom homes until retirement. Gertrude’s husband passed away in 1993 after 64 years of marriage. She then came to live with her son in Knoxville, TN and became a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge, TN. Gertrude is remembered by all who have known her as a sweet and gentle woman. Her heroic dedication to her husband in time of need and her love of her children will always be remembered. Gertrude is survived by three children, Eleanor Soderstrom and Dorothy Folkers, both of Maggie Valley, NC and Otto John Schwarz of Knoxville, TN. She has eight grandchildren and many great and great great grandchildren. Gertrude is also survived by two brothers, Arthur Dietze of Oregon, IL and Elmer Dietze of Chicago, IL. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 26th at 2:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern TN Chapter, 2200 Sutherland Avenue, Suite H 102, Knoxville, TN 37919. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, TN in charge 865 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com