Gertrud Constan

Gertrud Constan passed away at her home in Glendale on Saturday evening, July 9, 2011.

One of seven children, Gertrud came to Los Angeles from Denmark in 1958. After working in nursing and domestic care for several years, she met her husband-to-be, Ernest. They made Glendale their home in 1965. Gertrud maintained a very close relationship with her Danish family over the years.

She was educated at Eriksminde School when it was run by her parents, Karl and Anna Kirk. Both were influential in education, religion, and politics, and instilled these interests in their children. They espoused personal freedom, and empathy based on the idea of the interconnectedness of all people. Her childhood home still stands next to Eriksminde, and the school continues to maintain many of the principles it was originally founded upon.

One might come across Gertrud sewing or knitting on the living room couch. She also enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid gardener.

Gertrud is survived by her sons, Louis, Chris, and Michael; daughters-in-law, Elizabeth and Ji; granddaughter, Nicole; and her sisters, Bodil and Gudrun.

Friends are welcome to attend a service at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Forest Lawn Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale.