Gertrude Elizabeth Bertels

Gertrude Elizabeth Bertels

(3/16/1845 Oldenzaal, Holland -7/29/1934 Fort Wayne, Indiana)

married William Johannes Steenman (Holland)

*Johanna Maria Steenman 1871-1871 (Holland)

*Geertruida Steenman 1873-1873 (Holland)[twin]

*Marie Steenman 1873-1934 (Holland/Indiana)[twin]

    m.George Thyen 1869-1961 (Holland/Indiana)

      Gertrude Thyen 1899-1989 (Indiana/Virginia)

      John Thyen 1900-? (Indiana/?)

      Helena Emma Thyen 1901-1944 (Indiana)

      Josephine Thyen 1903-1982 (Indiana)

      William Thyen 1906-1982 (Indiana/?)

*Berendina Johanna Antonia Steenman 1877-1877 (Holland)

*Reinder Antonius Steenman 1879-1879 (Holland)[twin]

*Gertrude Steenman 1879-1934 (Holland/Indiana)[twin]

   m.Augustus Vodde 1879-1972 (Indiana)

      Clara Vodde 1904-1986 (Indiana)

      Edward Vodde 1905-1984 (Indiana/Wisconsin)

      Viola Vodde 1908-1982  (Indiana)

      Sylvester Vodde 1910-1963 (Indiana)

      Helen Vodde 1912-1937 (Indiana)

      Ruth Vodde 1914-1984 (Indiana)

      Dorothy Vodde 1917-2003 (Indiana)

*Johannes Steenman 1881-1881 (Holland)[twin]

*Anthony Steenman 1881-? (Holland/Indiana)[twin]

*Lena Steenman 1884-1934 (Holland/Indiana)

   m.Frank Odden 1884-? (Indiana/?)

      Frank Odden Jr. 1914-? (Indiana/?)

*William Ralph Steenman 1885-1863 (Holland/Indiana)

   m. Mabel Mae Brown 1904-1965 (Indiana)

      Willa Mae Steenman 1947-2012 (Indiana/Ohio)

*Frances Steenman 1886-1960 (Holland/Indiana)

   m.Albert Zuber 1893-1983 (Indiana)

Gertrude Steenman with her
 daughter Gertrude Vodde

Gertrude came to America in 1896. 

They entered through the port at
Philadelphia.

It is said that while walking through Philadelphia she saw a rocking chair on a porch. They all stopped as Gertrude took a break in it. No one came out to ask what they were doing on the porch so they thought no one was home. When Gertrude was done resting they continued on.

She is buried in the Catholic cemetery in Fort Wayne next to her husband.