Gertrude Krey, 96, dies: Mother of 16
including four Lutheran pastors

Mrs. Gertrude Emilie (Behrens) Krey, 96, died peacefully on January 3, 2005, in the Lahey Clinic after a brief illness. Gertrude, the mother of 16 children, lived with family in Wilmington, MA. Mrs. Krey was the mother of the Rev. Dr. Philip D. W. Krey, president of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

Gertrude Krey was born on March 1, 1908, in Posen, Germany (now the Polish city of Poznan). Her father was the mayor of Moschin, a suburb of Posen. The Behrens family moved to Silesia, and there she met the Rev. Rudolf E. M. Krey who received a call to serve German-speaking immigrants in the U.S. Gertrude came to the United States in 1925. She was married to Rudolf in Union City, CT, and they lived in several Massachusetts and Pennsylvania towns. Pastor Krey passed away January 9, 1977.

A great storyteller, Gertrude lived a storied life, enduring World War I in Poland, the Great Depression in the U.S., and World War II in Germany. After 14 initial years in the U.S., the Kreys returned to Germany with eight children. As American citizens, they were caught in Germany for the duration of World War II. Four children were born in Germany, one of whom died in a refugee camp as an infant. The family returned to the United States in 1947 and finally settled in Massachusetts. The last of the 16 children, Susanna, was born in Massachusetts on December 6, 1954, breaking the hospital record for most births to one mother resulting in a United Press International news story.

A strong woman with a profound faith, she rose each day at 5 a.m., prepared food, related news and weather forecasts, read Bible verses and said prayers to start her family for the day. In addition to baking many loaves of bread and trays of rolls every other day, she worked a large garden and raised poultry on several acres in Wilmington. Long before it was popular, she was a believer in health foods and vitamins. Gertrude had an outstanding memory and knew many Bible verses and hymns. A generous woman to all in need, she was a forceful advocate of her faith and a fearless survivor when the family faced grave dangers.

In addition to her 15 surviving children, Mrs. Gertrude Krey is also survived by 41 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. Gertrude and her husband valued education and achievement. She was thankful and proud of her children who were all successful in many and diverse professional and business fields.

Her children are Ruth Stark of Wilmington, MA; Esther Lowrey of Belmont, MA; the Rev. Matthias Krey of Windsor, Ontario, Canada; Johanna Krey of Wilmington, MA; Dr. Phoebe Krey Lanzoni of Milburn, NJ; Tirzah Krey of Wilmington, MA; John Krey of Andover, MA; Mirjam Catellier of Sainte-Petronille, Isle d'Orleans, Canada; Rhoda Morris of Wakefield, MA; Priscilla Loring of Andover, MA; the Rev. Peter Krey of Albany, CA; the Rev. Andrew Krey of Waterbury, CT; the Rev. Philip Krey of Philadelphia, PA; Shem Krey of Belmont, MA; and Susanna Krey Miller of Brecksville, OH.

Visiting hours are from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, at the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park Street, North Reading, MA, 01864 (978-664-4340). Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 7, 2005, at the Pinewood Lutheran Church, 24 Wilmington Road, Burlington, MA 01803 (781-273-1610). Interment will be after the service at the Wilmington Wildwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rudolf and Gertrude Krey Urban Fund at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119.