Gertie was born in 1923 to parents George and Edna Boivin in Sexsmith AB. She grew up on St. Charles Street in Winnipeg, MB. Mom came from a large family of 12 children. Jim, Gordon, Connie, John, Georgina, Bill, Richard, Rodger, Bernice, Zella and Muriel, many of whom have gone on to be with the Lord, Left to mourn are siblings Zella Rieu, Bernice Walters, Rodger Boivin and sister-in-law Edith MacFarlane. Gertie married Helmut Sonnichsen in 1940 at the age of 17 at the Headingley Anglican Church. They were happily married until his passing in May of 1999. Together with Helmut’s brother Carl and wife Agnes they continued the family business Sonnichsen Transportation for over 56 years. Many Winnipeg and Headingley residents will recall her friendly and cheerful greetings when calling for water and bus services. Gertie dedicated her life to her husband and her six children, Gordon (Debbie), Allen (Joan), Ken (Joan), Joy, Carol, and Blair (Vicki) and the many grandchildren and great grandchildren that followed. Gertie was gifted in many ways. She wrote many poems over the years that are cherished by her family. She was a gift of encouragement to many in times of hardship. She also loved to knit, sew and quilt. Many babies have been wrapped in blankets, booties and bonnets lovingly made by her hands. She loved to bless her grandchildren with such gifts as “quillos” and sweaters and afghans and dolls that she would knit or crochet, quilt or sew. She combined her love of sewing and serving when she became a 4H leader in her home in Headingley. She will also be remembered for her joyful congregational singing at Grant Memorial Baptist Church where the Sonnichsen family attended for many years. And later Charleswood Baptist Church and the Headingley Evangelical Chapel held in the Phoenix Community center. She will also be remembered by many friends at Maranatha Evangelical Church on Sturgeon Rd. in Winnipeg where she often attended with son Blair and his family. Helmut and Gertie retired to the community of Kleefeld, Manitoba and attended the Evangelical Mennonite Church there for nearly 25 years. Her last two years were spent living in the Grunthal Menno Home in Grunthal, MB where she received many visitors from many places. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff for the way they lovingly cared for our Mom. We will miss you Mom but we know that you are finally reunited with your dear Helmut and your sisters and brothers that you have missed seeing for so long. Fly to Jesus! Funeral services to be held on August 8, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kleefeld EMC Church in Kleefeld, MB. The Interment Service will be held at 1:15 p.m. at the Headingley Anglican Church Cemetery in Headingley, MB. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will then be served at the Headingley Hall on Portage Avenue at 2:15 p.m.