Gertrud Burner Fields passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on August 27, 2017. The daughter of Willie and Elsa Schulz, she was born on January 4, 1927 and spent her early years in Walldürn, Germany. As a teenager, she moved with the family to Heidelberg.
It was there she met and married Joseph Burner, an American soldier, shortly after the war ended. She arrived in the U.S. on July 4, 1950 and they eventually settled in Roanoke, Virginia, where they raised their daughters. Unfortunately, Joe died at a young age of Leukemia in 1971. Gerdi continued to raise her daughters while also obtaining an associate’s degree in bookkeeping.
On January 18, 1975, she married Bill Fields, who for the next forty-two years was a dedicated and loving spouse, and remains an adoring father and grandfather to her three daughters and three granddaughters. Gertrud and Bill traveled the world together and lived alternately in Virginia and Florida.
During her life, she touched many people with her affection and humor. She made life-long friends, including fellow war brides and quite a few “adopted” daughters.
She is preceded in death by first husband, Joseph Burner, a granddaughter, Alexis, and a great granddaughter, Miraculous Faith.
Gertrud is survived by Bill and various relatives in Germany including her two younger brothers, Willibald and Freddie. Carrying on her legacy is daughter Susan and husband Al, granddaughter Nicole and her husband Randy – daughter Deborah and granddaughter Zandra – daughter Theresa and her fiancé Danny, granddaughter Alyssa and her husband Laurie.
A funeral Mass will be held on November 4 at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, VA, where a new stained-glass window she commissioned will be dedicated. A reception will follow at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club Mountain View Room 6901 Arthur Hills Drive also in Gainesville.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Capital Caring, www.capitalcaring.org, 24419 Millstream Drive, Aldie, V.A. 20105.
Gertrud Burner Fields
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