Legendary Trudche turns 100 – Rimschweiler celebrates a life full of stories!”

Legendary Trudche turns 100 – Rimschweiler celebrates a life full of stories!”

On Saturday the special lady from Rimschweiler, Gertrud Müller, is celebrating her 100th birthday! There will certainly be a big celebration in her home village, where she is affectionately called “es Trudche”. The Federal Republic of Germany is getting older, but only a few are experiencing this impressive milestone like they are. Gertrud was born in Rimschweiler and spent her entire life there, interrupted only by two forced evacuations during the Second World War. During this time she experienced a lot and stayed alive to pass on her stories.

At the age of 15, Gertrud started her career as a sales assistant at the Hornbach hardware store Steinmetz. As was customary at the time, she took her last exam in an air raid shelter in Zweibrücken. In 1953 she married her husband, who was a self-employed master electrician. A year later, Gertrud opened her own household goods store in an extension of her home, which quickly became known for its variety of household and electrical appliances as well as cow chains. In 2001, her daughter Sabine took over the business, while Gertrud worked actively until she was 77.

A life full of memories

In her free time, Gertrud spent lovely hours with her family on the North Sea, for example on Föhr or Borkum. Even though she struggled with her health in 2002, she recovered bravely. Today she reads RHEINPFALZ every day and says that her secret to a long life is to take each day like the other and to enjoy the loving care of her daughter. Gertrud Müller is the last living person in her school year and is valued by many Rimschweiler residents.

Gertrud is also celebrated in Bad Wurzach, where Mayor Alexandra Scherer brought her congratulations from Prime Minister Kretschmann. Gertrud lives on the second floor of her house and is supported by a household help because she can no longer walk up the stairs so quickly. Her life path took her from a farm near Ibbenbüren to Bad Wurzach, where she worked for many years in the Löffler shoe store and started a family. Her husband, who died 30 years ago, and she often danced in the Kurhaus, which remains vivid in her memories.

A strong generation

German society has changed over the decades, and with age comes both challenges and new opportunities. Statistics show that the German population is getting older, which also affects the living conditions of older people. The German Aging Survey (DEAS), which has been collecting data regularly since 1996, deals with topics such as health, social networks and the general quality of life of older people. These insights are important for understanding and shaping the needs and support options for our older citizens.

Gertrud Müller symbolizes this strong generation that enjoys life to the fullest despite all adversities. Your children and grandchildren will gather at Vogesenstrasse 96 this weekend to celebrate this special day. It is the moment when many Rimschweiler residents will toast with “em Trudche” and look back on an impressive life that is much more than just the number of years.