Remembering Gwen Bernice Black Pritzkau

By Margaret Aman Freeman, coordinator, Glueckstal Colonies Research Association, Redondo Beach, California

Memorial Services, Germans from Russia Heritage Society Convention, Portland, Oregon, July 16, 2006

We remember today the life of Gwen Pritzkau and make humble gestures of gratitude for all she did for us, the Germans from Russia. We are fortunate that Gwen married a German from Russia, bringing along her considerable skill in family research.

Because of Gwen, and her passion for sleuthing out hidden genealogical treasures, her feeling for what fit, genealogically speaking, many of us know more than we believed possible about our ancestors and their lives in Russia and the places they lived before Russia.

She was genuinely kind to each of us, with her concern for her family and by extension to all the Germans from Russia families. Gwen will be long remembered by all privileged to know her and learn from her thirty-five years of workshops for the Germans from Russia Heritage Society.

We will forever appreciate Gwen and thank her for leading the way for our research. Let us work hard to continue on the solid path shown us by Gwen Black Pritzkau.