June 12, 1927 – June 30, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Gertrud Dinter on June 30th, 2023 after a brief illness.
Born in the village of Veitshöchheim, in Northern Bavaria, Gertrud and her three siblings lived in many Bavarian villages as her father was a train station master. Always active, teenage Gertrud excelled in the swim club and loved attending local dances.
She held various secretarial positions before landing in the office of a large tree nursery in Karlstadt am Main, where she met her future husband Bernhard Dinter who was doing his gardening apprenticeship.
They married in 1950 and in 1952 she immigrated with her son Bernie to Canada where Bernhard had found a position as gardener at Shawnigan Lake School. Her daughter Ingrid was born in 1953. For 20 years she lived on the school campus raising her family and working at various jobs with the school, ultimately as house matron at Lonsdale House.
Gertrud and Bernhard were eager to start a project of their own, and in the late 1960s began to establish their plant business resulting in the creation of Dinter Nursery in 1973. Gertrud was an active partner and co-founder of the business, from clearing the land, painting the buildings, growing bedding plants, completing till transactions and managing the books. Gertrud continued to be involved in the business full time until semi-retirement in her 60s, when she began to devote more of her time to her important role as Oma to her granddaughter and her lifelong passion for sports.
Throughout her 60s and 70s, Gertrud played tennis and badminton, hiked, swam, took daily long power walks and enjoyed cross-country skiing in winter. She and Bernhard also enjoyed trips to Europe, China, New Zealand and Mexico during this period.
Gertrud continued to be involved with the nursery into her late 80s. In her later years she enjoyed sitting on a bench near the entrance to the garden center where she could chat with long-time customers.
In 2019, she moved to Dovehill House in Chemainus where she enjoyed bingo and other activities, walks in the garden, regular visits from family and friends, and the spectacular view of the Coast Mountains. Gertrud’s strong willpower and regular practice of gratitude and prayer likely contributed to her long life. Her positive attitude and joyful smile will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She was predeceased by her three siblings: Marga, Ortwin and Elfie and Bernhard in 2007.
She is survived by her son Bernie (Cyndy), daughter Ingrid (New York) and granddaughter Tamara.
Thank you to the wonderful staff at Dovehill for their comforting care in her final years and the lovely team at Cairnsmore Place for their caring support in her last days.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at St. Michael and All Angels Church, 2858 Mill St., Chemainus, BC.