Tribute

On September 29, 2016, Betty Gehringer of Osoyoos peacefully passed away at the age of 89 years. 

Betty was born on June 9, 1927, the younger of 2 children, in Seegutten, East Prussia, Germany. Along with her older brother, Walter, she grew up on the family farm. She had many aunts and uncles, and enjoyed visiting with her cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, Samuel and Ida Czwalinna , brother Walter Czwalinna, husband Helmut, brothers-in law Karl Gehringer and Otto Frohnmaier, sister-in-law Helene Frohnmaier, and granddaughter Liana Gehringer.

Betty will be missed and remembered by her sons, Walter (Annemarie), and Gordon (Debbie), and grandchildren, Brendon (Claire) Gehringer, Kali, Kevin & Kristi Gehringer, as well as nieces and nephews in Germany.

Betty lived in West Germany after fleeing from East Prussia in 1945, and met Helmut at a town dance in the west. Helmut left for Canada in 1952, and in 1954 she followed his invitation to join him in Osoyoos. They were married on March19, 1954 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oliver. The birth of her children, Walter and Gordon, gave her a lot of joy and took away some of her homesickness for her German homeland.  She loved gardening, cooking, baking and sewing, as well as swimming in Osoyoos Lake in the summer. She liked spending time with her 5 grandchildren, and was even seen enjoying a parasailing ride at age 80!  Very adventurous!

When Gehringer Bros. Vineyard and Winery were established in the 1980s, she helped out by picking grapes and tying canes in the vineyard. At bottling time, she loved putting the caps on the filled bottles, and for winery events she always baked wonderfully delicious cakes. She supported her boys wherever she could.

Many a family dinner was lovingly ‘catered’ by her, and those are dearly missed. She was such a fabulous cook!

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Mariposa Gardens, Dr. Tarr and also her care-aid, Maria Gaspar, for the tender care they gave Betty. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. 
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at the winery on Saturday, November 5 from 1-3 pm.