Gretel Trent, who defiantly escaped the Holocaust, passed away Sept. 22, 2016. She was 97. Rabbi Steven Foster and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the Sept. 25 graveside service at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Gretel was a woman of valor,” her loved ones said. “Her family was her all.
“She instilled independence in her children, guiding them to choose practical studies that led to marketable careers.”
Gretel Stern was born in 1918 in Germany. Educated in private schools, she graduated as a kindergarten and nursery school teacher in 1939.
On Kristallnacht, November, 1938, she hid her future husband — who at that time was just another student — in her apartment.
Gretel successfully argued for the release of her parents and the return of confiscated Nazi funds in order to immigrate to England.
She wrangled her entry into Great Britain by working as an au pair, which enabled her parents to go with her.
In 1940, Gretel secured the family’s passage from London to New York aboard a Navy-escorted wartime Atlantic convoy.
She settled in New York and practiced teaching.
Gretel came to Denver in 1946.
In 1947, she married her former college mate Jim Trent, whom she rescued on Kristallnacht.
Gretel became a partner in her husband’s business.
Mr. Trent passed away in May, 2011.
A member of BMH-BJ, Gretel regularly attended Shabbat services until it became too difficult for her to make the trip.
She is survived by her daughters Judy (Steve) Sterner and Deborah (Lorraine) Trent; and granddaughters Ruth and Ricka Sterner.
Contributions may be made to Colorado Talking Books, The Denver Hospice, JFS or National Jewish Health.
Copyright © 2016 by the Intermountain Jewish News
