Gertrude Strauts

Gertrude “Gert” Strauts, 99, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, August 21, 2009, at Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls.  She was born October 17, 1909 on a farm near Madona, Latvia, the daughter of Karl and Ilze  Zale. After three years in high school, she graduated from a two year vocational school in domestics. After her graduation she worked in Riga, the capital, for the Latvia Railroad Administration, in the dining room. It was there she met Janis (John) Strauts, who was the chief accountant for the railroad. They were married on April 18, 1942 in the sacristy of the church, as the churches had been closed by the communists. In October 1944 they fled Latvia due to the oppression of invaders, to an American camp in Germany. They were at that camp for five years as displaced persons. Then in October 1949, through the sponsorship of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, they came to America. Pastor H. I. Muus met them at the train station in Minneapolis after their 11 day ocean trip. Gert and John worked in Fergus Falls at the Pioneer Home for two years, and then operated the River Inn Coffee Shop from 1951 to 1965. After the closing of the coffee shop, they operated the Western Cafe (formerly where the Log Cabin station had stood) until 1970 when they retired to their home on Wall Lake.  John died in 1979 and Gert remained at their home at Wall Lake for a few years until moving in 1985 to the Benjamin Apartments, where she lived until October 2007. At that time she went to live at Broen Home. Gert and John were forever grateful to Bethlehem Lutheran Church for their sponsoring them to find freedom and liberty here in America, and to the community and county for their making them know this country as home. They remained active members of Bethlehem as long as they were able. Gert had no relatives in this country, but is survived by family descendants in Latvia; one branch still occupies the family farm and farm home in which Gert was born. Also surviving are numerous special friends in Fergus Falls and elsewhere, and especially her Bethlehem Lutheran Church family.  Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church Service:  11 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Paul Nelson Interment: 1 p.m. Tuesday at Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com