Rudolph Goertz and Elfriede Mundt

RUDOLPH GOERTZ

I was born in (Paulsheim) Saparasheja, Oblask, Russia January 14th, 1929. I was part of a family of 5 children: 3 brothers (Henry, Frank and Rudolph) and two sisters (Helen and Maria). My father was Frank and my mother was Katie (nee Thiessen). Because of the second world war, my family was torn apart. My father and oldest brother Henry were both taken away. The rest of the family was moved to Poland when I was taken to a working camp in Germany. (My father and brothers were lost to the war but in the early 1960's I finally was in touch with my Mother and two sisters).

After the war I registered with the Red Cross, and my Aunt Sarah Thiessen in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada found me and sponsored me to come to Canada. I left Europe through Munich, Germany, Holland and England and then sailed to Canada on the Aquitania. From Halifax I took the train to Toronto where my uncle picked me up and we went to Kitchener, Ontario where I worked on a dairy farm. In late October, 1949 I went to work in a bush camp in Oden, Ontario cutting cord wood. Early 1950 I moved to Winnipeg and worked at several odd jobs. I started to work at Canada Packers in April 1950. I retired from my job as Livestock Receiver at Canada Packers March 15th, 1988 when the company closed in Winnipeg.

Frieda and I were married in 1952 and we stayed in Winnipeg. I had several extra jobs to help support my family. I enjoyed working as a bar tender at the German Club and met many friends. I also drove a school bus for 8 years. I have always loved to camp and fish. In 1980 we bought property and built a family cottage on Booster Lake in Eastern Manitoba. We have travelled to Hawaii, Cuba and Europe. Since retiring Frieda and I have enjoyed spending time with our children and grandchildren. We were able to go to Halifax in September, 1999 and visited the museum and wall of honour at Pier 21.

ELFRIEDA GOERTZ (NEE MUNDT)

I was born in Golas, Poland on August 10th, 1932. I was part of a family of five children: Theodor, Alma, Margaret (Grete), Elfriede and Hanz . My father was Edward and my mother was Bertha (nee Bintz). When the second world war broke out my father was taken to Siberia. My mother and the four oldest worked for farmers during the war. We left Poland on the train when the Russians took over the country.

On March 18th, 1948 our family, Bertha Mundt and children, came to Canada on the Beaverbrae, which sailed from Brayman, Germany. We were sponsored by Bertha's sister Emma and her husband Fred Bintz. We rode the train from Halifax to Winnipeg where we were picked up and taken to the Bintz farm in Dauphin, Manitoba. In May 1948 we moved to Alsask, Alberta to the Bintz's new farm, where I attended school and worked on the farm. In 1949 I moved to Winnipeg and lived with my sister and worked in a sewing factory. I returned to Alberta during the summer to help on the family farm.

In 1950 I met Rudy Goertz and on August 9th, 1952 we were married. We have four children: Christel Ann born April 9th, 1954 (married July 15th, 1978 to Maurice Burbella, children Janice, Jennifer, and David), Philip John born July 3rd, 1956 (married May 19th, 1979 to Dale Henry, children Candace and Katie), John Rudolph born December 13th, 1960 (married June 22nd, 1996 to Rita Enns, children Alyssa and Melissa), and James Edward born December 13th, 1960 (married October 11th, 1986 Eileen Vannevel, children Travis and Trentin). We have spent our entire married life in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I was a stay at home mother and always had a large garden and enjoy having my family around me.