Gertrude Wehnert was the beloved wife and life partner of Elmo Wehnert. After 2 unsuccessful pregnancies, they sought to adopt children in Oregon. Back then (mid 1920's) they were told they had to have a certain amount of money in the bank. So they went away energized and determined to save enough money to enable them to adopt. Elmo logged and Gertrude farmed for the next 20 years, saving every cent until they had a sizable bank account.
They went back to a State agency to adopt children, only to be told that they were too old. But they were not giving up. They saw many advertisements, including one in the Lutheran Witness, their church publication, regarding the number of homeless orphans in Europe due to WWII. So they decided to fly overseas.
Their search started in France in April 1947, but no children could be taken out of the country. They were not allowed to travel to Germany because of the aftermath of the war. So they went on to Denmark because Elmo's mother was of Danish descent. Although they did not find children there, Mr. William Dale of the US Embassy assured them that he would keep looking. Two months later, in June 1947, Mr. Dale contacted the Wehnerts with news of 3 orphans to adopt. This was perfect as they wanted two children and Gertrude's sister Tressa & husband Scott Harmsen were also hoping to adopt. In August, 1947 the Wehnert's hired a nurse (Olga Holmes) to fly from Copenhagen to NYC with the 3 little ones, and they paid her expenses for an extended vacation in NY. Elmo & Gertrude drove to NYC, picked up the children and drove back to Oregon.
Gertrude was a devoted and loving mother of Bob Dale Wehnert and Betty Sue (Wehnert) Guss. Daughter of Albert and Amelia (Woldt) Wischnofske. Sister of Tressa (Wischnofske) Harmsen. Aunt of Joyce Kay Harmsen Daniels Myer (also adopted from Denmark in 1947). Sister of Arthur O (Bud) Wischnofske and aunt of Merle Gene Wischnofske & Shirley Rae (Wischnofske) Scheele among many other nieces and nephews.
She was a dedicated Christian homemaker, and a founding member of Peace Lutheran Church in Philomath Oregon. She loved making things grow and could always be found in her garden. Gertrude's strength of spirit was amazing and she influenced so many lives without even trying. I am so grateful that she was my mother.
I love you Mom. :)
Betty Sue Wehnert Guss
They went back to a State agency to adopt children, only to be told that they were too old. But they were not giving up. They saw many advertisements, including one in the Lutheran Witness, their church publication, regarding the number of homeless orphans in Europe due to WWII. So they decided to fly overseas.
Their search started in France in April 1947, but no children could be taken out of the country. They were not allowed to travel to Germany because of the aftermath of the war. So they went on to Denmark because Elmo's mother was of Danish descent. Although they did not find children there, Mr. William Dale of the US Embassy assured them that he would keep looking. Two months later, in June 1947, Mr. Dale contacted the Wehnerts with news of 3 orphans to adopt. This was perfect as they wanted two children and Gertrude's sister Tressa & husband Scott Harmsen were also hoping to adopt. In August, 1947 the Wehnert's hired a nurse (Olga Holmes) to fly from Copenhagen to NYC with the 3 little ones, and they paid her expenses for an extended vacation in NY. Elmo & Gertrude drove to NYC, picked up the children and drove back to Oregon.
Gertrude was a devoted and loving mother of Bob Dale Wehnert and Betty Sue (Wehnert) Guss. Daughter of Albert and Amelia (Woldt) Wischnofske. Sister of Tressa (Wischnofske) Harmsen. Aunt of Joyce Kay Harmsen Daniels Myer (also adopted from Denmark in 1947). Sister of Arthur O (Bud) Wischnofske and aunt of Merle Gene Wischnofske & Shirley Rae (Wischnofske) Scheele among many other nieces and nephews.
She was a dedicated Christian homemaker, and a founding member of Peace Lutheran Church in Philomath Oregon. She loved making things grow and could always be found in her garden. Gertrude's strength of spirit was amazing and she influenced so many lives without even trying. I am so grateful that she was my mother.
I love you Mom. :)
Betty Sue Wehnert Guss
Gertrude Wehnert was the beloved wife and life partner of Elmo Wehnert. After 2 unsuccessful pregnancies, they sought to adopt children in Oregon. Back then (mid 1920's) they were told they had to have a certain amount of money in the bank. So they went away energized and determined to save enough money to enable them to adopt. Elmo logged and Gertrude farmed for the next 20 years, saving every cent until they had a sizable bank account.
They went back to a State agency to adopt children, only to be told that they were too old. But they were not giving up. They saw many advertisements, including one in the Lutheran Witness, their church publication, regarding the number of homeless orphans in Europe due to WWII. So they decided to fly overseas.
Their search started in France in April 1947, but no children could be taken out of the country. They were not allowed to travel to Germany because of the aftermath of the war. So they went on to Denmark because Elmo's mother was of Danish descent. Although they did not find children there, Mr. William Dale of the US Embassy assured them that he would keep looking. Two months later, in June 1947, Mr. Dale contacted the Wehnerts with news of 3 orphans to adopt. This was perfect as they wanted two children and Gertrude's sister Tressa & husband Scott Harmsen were also hoping to adopt. In August, 1947 the Wehnert's hired a nurse (Olga Holmes) to fly from Copenhagen to NYC with the 3 little ones, and they paid her expenses for an extended vacation in NY. Elmo & Gertrude drove to NYC, picked up the children and drove back to Oregon.
Gertrude was a devoted and loving mother of Bob Dale Wehnert and Betty Sue (Wehnert) Guss. Daughter of Albert and Amelia (Woldt) Wischnofske. Sister of Tressa (Wischnofske) Harmsen. Aunt of Joyce Kay Harmsen Daniels Myer (also adopted from Denmark in 1947). Sister of Arthur O (Bud) Wischnofske and aunt of Merle Gene Wischnofske & Shirley Rae (Wischnofske) Scheele among many other nieces and nephews.
She was a dedicated Christian homemaker, and a founding member of Peace Lutheran Church in Philomath Oregon. She loved making things grow and could always be found in her garden. Gertrude's strength of spirit was amazing and she influenced so many lives without even trying. I am so grateful that she was my mother.
I love you Mom. :)
Betty Sue Wehnert Guss
They went back to a State agency to adopt children, only to be told that they were too old. But they were not giving up. They saw many advertisements, including one in the Lutheran Witness, their church publication, regarding the number of homeless orphans in Europe due to WWII. So they decided to fly overseas.
Their search started in France in April 1947, but no children could be taken out of the country. They were not allowed to travel to Germany because of the aftermath of the war. So they went on to Denmark because Elmo's mother was of Danish descent. Although they did not find children there, Mr. William Dale of the US Embassy assured them that he would keep looking. Two months later, in June 1947, Mr. Dale contacted the Wehnerts with news of 3 orphans to adopt. This was perfect as they wanted two children and Gertrude's sister Tressa & husband Scott Harmsen were also hoping to adopt. In August, 1947 the Wehnert's hired a nurse (Olga Holmes) to fly from Copenhagen to NYC with the 3 little ones, and they paid her expenses for an extended vacation in NY. Elmo & Gertrude drove to NYC, picked up the children and drove back to Oregon.
Gertrude was a devoted and loving mother of Bob Dale Wehnert and Betty Sue (Wehnert) Guss. Daughter of Albert and Amelia (Woldt) Wischnofske. Sister of Tressa (Wischnofske) Harmsen. Aunt of Joyce Kay Harmsen Daniels Myer (also adopted from Denmark in 1947). Sister of Arthur O (Bud) Wischnofske and aunt of Merle Gene Wischnofske & Shirley Rae (Wischnofske) Scheele among many other nieces and nephews.
She was a dedicated Christian homemaker, and a founding member of Peace Lutheran Church in Philomath Oregon. She loved making things grow and could always be found in her garden. Gertrude's strength of spirit was amazing and she influenced so many lives without even trying. I am so grateful that she was my mother.
I love you Mom. :)
Betty Sue Wehnert Guss
Inscription
**A TRUE PIONEER SPIRIT**
Family Members
Siblings
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Emil Robert "Pat" Wischnofske Sr
1883–1964
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Minnie Florentina "Minn" Wischnofske Caves
1884–1912
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Elizabeth Ann "Lizzie" Wischnofske
1886–1896
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Robert Steven Carl "Rob" Wischnofske
1888–1912
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Leonard Wischnofske
1890–1890
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Tressa Bertha Ottilia "Tress" Wischnofske Harmsen
1892–1990
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Arthur Otto "Bud" Wischnofske
1905–1982
Children
See more Wehnert or Wischnofske memorials in:
- Oak Lawn Memorial Park Wehnert or Wischnofske
- Corvallis Wehnert or Wischnofske
- Benton County Wehnert or Wischnofske
- Oregon Wehnert or Wischnofske
- USA Wehnert or Wischnofske
- Find a Grave Wehnert or Wischnofske
