Gertraud Boeswald King

Gertraud King, 68 was born in the Maternity Hospital of Augsburg, Germany to Konrad & Magdalena Boeswald. She was raised in Steppach, a suburb near Augsburg, Germany with her older sister; Luise Gartig.

Her most memorable achievements included being an excellent homemaker who raised two children and enjoyed cooking and baking. Everyone loved her sweet potato pies, home-made biscuits, and chili beans with English muffins and butter.

Growing up, some of her best friends were Gabrielle Haak, Helga Rehm, Ida Stangel, and Elizabeth Dengel. She also had a great time going out with the girlfriends from Salamander Shoes, where she worked for several years starting in her early teens. Later in life, she became friends with Curlee Barber, Jackie Shippey, Janine Parkison, and Dorothy Tippett.

Born Gertraud Boeswald, she married Allen James King, Sr. on January 28, 1966 in the office of the Registrar in Steppach Germany, her childhood home. Gertraud and her loving husband had two children; Konrad King and Tonja King and three grandchildren.

She enjoyed watching her “soaps” (One Life to Live, General Hospital, and The Young and The Restless), Everybody Loves Raymond, the Olympics, and ice skating on TV. She also enjoyed her early morning coffee and reading “The Upper Room” daily devotional to start each day.

While living in California City, she was a member of the First Baptist Church, where she served as Church Secretary and helped with Vacation Bible School. During her later years, she was an active member of the California City Senior Citizens group and would often help with setting up of lunches at the California City Senior Citizens Center.

Her new life involved relocating from California City, CA to Hanford, CA to be closer to family and enjoy time with her grandchildren. Soon after arriving in Hanford she discovered Superior Dairy Ice Cream and it became one of her favorite places to visit with her family. Whenever she visited her son and daughter-in-law in Las Vegas, her favorite places to go were to see the flowers in the atrium at the Bellagio Hotel and to have the all-you-can-eat catfish at Hush Puppies.

In retirement, she found new pleasure in playing Bingo, working with ceramics, crocheting hats, socks, and blankets, and creating cross-stitch art.

Gertraud passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at Kaweah Delta Health Care in Visalia, CA. She fought a brave battle against congestive heart failure and emphysema.

Gertraud is survived by her beloved children: Konrad & Karen King of Las Vegas, NV and Tonja King of Hanford, CA, her dear sister: Luise Gartig of Germany; and wonderful grandchildren: Tyrone, Anthony, and Marissa all of Hanford, CA.

A Memorial Service was held in Hanford, CA and a Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Riverside National Cemetery; 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Allen James King, Sr.