Obituary of Gerda Erika Lore Jensen

Gerda Erika Lore Jensen (née Mühlhan) passed away peacefully on August 20, 2024 at Oakwood Crossing Long Term Care Home in London Ontario. 

Gerda was born in Osnabrück in north-west Germany on May 10, 1933 to Annemarie (née Volker) and Dentist Friedrich Karl Mühlhan. She was the second of four siblings - older sister Helga, followed by her sister Renate, and then brother Gerd. 

In Canada, Gerda is survived by her son Haydn Jensen and his wife Susan Jensen, sister-in-law Barbara Jensen and two granddaughters, Emily (with husband Sam Plachta) and Taleah Jensen.

Surviving family members in Germany are many, and include siblings Renate and Gerd, nieces Antje, Sabine and nephew Martin.

To summarize the incredible life that Gerda lived with grace, poise and courage is a nearly impossible task in this short summary. She endured the overbearing Nazi domination in Germany as a young girl during World War II, was shot at by a Canadian warplane, and later ended up emigrating by boat to Canada at the tender age of twenty-one. On this boat, she met Henning Jensen, from Denmark, also emigrating to Canada. After working briefly as a nanny in The Pas, Manitoba, she came to Ontario to reconnect with and eventually marry Henning. They lived in Guelph, then Hamilton, then London and Komoka where they raised their son Haydn. 

Gerda worked as an investment adviser at the Royal Bank for over thirty years--for the most part at the Wharncliffe and Commissioners branch, but also later at the Sherwood Forest branch. After retirement, she and Henning lived in Elliot Lake for seven years and then moved back to London. Henning passed away in 2006.  Gerda missed him greatly but made the best of things by getting involved in social activities at the Gartshore apartments on Ridout Street, attending church, and volunteering at gift shops at Museum London and also Parkwood Institute.

Gerda is remembered for her curiosity in exploring forward-thinking writers and philosophers, her love of language, and fine art. She had a special passion for opera, classical music, and some contemporary music such as one of her most-loved artists, Leonard Cohen. She also earned regular admiration for her cooking abilities and elegant hospitality, hosting numerous dinners for family and friends. 

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, always eager to hear about the goings-on of those she held dear. As a gifted conversationalist, she had many friends that she corresponded with regularly, never forgetting the importance of those people in her life, past and present. Gerda was a singular and unique woman; she lived each day proving to the world that one person really can make a difference. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. 

Her memorial will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Village Green Community Church (505 Village Green Ave in London, Ontario).  A private family inurnment will take place the next day at Woodland Cemetery.