GERDA HORNSVELD

Gerda Hornsveld passed away early Saturday morning Oct 10, 2009 at the age of 85. Gerda was born May 18, 1924 in Baarn, Netherlands. At the age of 25, after surviving WWII and the Nazi occupation of Holland, she Immigrated to America in March of 1950. With her husband Bert and 2 1/2 year old daughter she voyaged aboard a freighter which took 30 days, passing through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles. Because they loved the ocean, the family settled in the Newport Beach area where Gerda raised her 3 children and learned to speak English. In 1968 The Hornsvelds purchased a small Hardware store in Temecula and decided to re-locate their home to Fallbrook. She was an avid swimmer and taught many of her grandchildren to swim. She also followed her dream, and successfully completed the La Jolla Seniors rough water swim. Gerda enjoyed walking, knitting and staying busy. Visiting and helping with her grandchildren and great grandchildren always brought a smile to her face. She loved meeting people and was a very caring lady to everyone. She is preceded in death by her husband Bert and survived by her children Gerda Sparks and husband Tom, of Newport Beach, Hank Hornsveld and wife Patty of Fallbrook, and Roy Hornsveld and wife Valerie of Townsend Montana, all of her 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held Friday Oct 16th at 2:30PM at Pacific View Chapel. Donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Assn, Orange County.