Irene Friedrich

Irene and Gerhard were very special parents .Even though Gerhard could be very loud and he would always let you know when he was angry , deep down he was very kind. He was generous and always did his best to provide for his family. Irene baked the most amazing cakes like christmas stollen, hazelnut buttercream cake, and Sacher torte. She was also a good cook, she made german dishes like rolladen and potato pancakes. Irene loved to travel and we went on many cruises to Europe, Asia, Carribbean and the Panama canal. Irene and Gerhard Left an impression on many people and will be greatly missed. Irene and Gerhard had a difficult life. They both lived though the second world war. Irene was born in Zabnica Poland. After the war she had to leave Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia because all the Germans were ousted out. Her family had to leave all their belongings behind . She lost her father when he was just 50 years old from a ruptured appendics when he was in a labor camp. Irene wanted to be a doctor but during the war the universities were closed.. She was always interested in health care and worked as a Practical nurse. After the war Irene spent two years in Lille France as an Au pair. She spoke french fluently. When she came back to Germany in 1949 she went to a hotel school in Munich for one year. She was an excellent student. Thats where she learned how to make those great cakes. Gerhard was born in Berlin-Lichterfelde. He lost his parents at a young age and went to live with his aunt and uncle and his cousin Margot.He served in second World war at the russian front. He got shot in the behind and proudly showed off his scar.Gerhard lost his first wife in 1948 to Typhoid fever. He became a single father to two sons Peter and Bernd. In 1955 he married Irene in Emmendingn Germany. Soon after he took the Ship the Arosa Star from Bremmen to Quebec to search for a better life from the war torn Germany. A couple of months later Irene immigrated with Gerhards sons Peter and Bernd. The family moved to Vancouver where Gerhard worked as a draftsman and Irene worked as a nurse. After two years Gerhard lost his job and moved the family to Kitimat B.C. to work at Alcan which was newly constructed. Irene worked as a nurse at the Kitimat general hospital. In 1960 Their daughter Karen was born. Life was a big adjusment coming from Europe to live in a small town iof 12,000n Northern B.C.. In the winter it would never stop snowing …the snow would often reach the roof of the house. Irene and Gerhard made the best of their new life and became friends with a lot of other new immigrants from Germany. In 1979 Gerhard lost his son Bernd to malignant melonoma. He was 35. It was the first time I ever saw my father cry. The following year Gerhard retired from Alcan and moved with Irene to south Surrey. Irene loved gardening and planted trees and flowers all around the house. Irene was very crafty. She loved to knit. She made beautiful sweaters, dresses, and coats. She always had knitting needles in her hand when she watched T.V. Irene also did needlepoint, macrame, and she hooked rugs. Irene liked to excercise. She went to the swimming pool in White Rock up to 5 times a week. She would work out in the weight room and then swim. She often dragged Gerhard even though he hated excercise. He would just go to the baby pool, the hot tub and the Sauna. Gerhard hated everything that was healthy. He would often eat sausage and eat three pieces of cake in one sitting but he still lived to be 96 years old.

Irene and Gerhard are survided by their loving children Karen (Francois), and Peter (Linda), Grand sons, Rick (Fran), and Terry (Sue), Great grandchildren Claire, Emily, Aidyn and Kailey. Special thanks to all the wonderful and compassionate caregivers who helped at the end of their life.