Obituary of Gerda KALLEN (nee Harri)

April 12, 1944 – Kandersteg, Bern, Switzerland
February 3, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Gerda, on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at the age of 76 years.

Gerda, the second of four siblings, was born Gerda Harri in 1944, to parents Klara and Ernst Harri, in the idyllic mountain village of Kandersteg, Switzerland. Gerda met her husband Urs from the neighbouring town of Frutigen. They shared many outdoor adventures in the Swiss Alps. Urs proposed to Gerda at the top of Aermighorn and they were married in July of 1967. Gerda had great dreams to travel to New York but they chose Canada instead. They arrived in Toronto in 1965, then travelled back and forth to Switzerland. In 1972, Gerda and Urs made Calgary their home, to be near the mountains. One of Gerda’s proudest accomplishments was earning her pilot’s license. Gerda flew her own Cessna plane through the Rockies while Urs took photos of their adventures. Always an entrepreneur, Gerda had her own hair salon in the Tigerstedt Block in Crescent Heights. In 1986, Gerda and Urs started a family business together, which would become one of Calgary’s finest, boutique print shops. Gerda took great pride in her work and the numerous close relationships she developed with clients over the years.

Gerda and Urs enjoyed many camping trips in their VW van, driving all over Western Canada and up to the Arctic Circle. Gerda loved reading by the campfire and canoeing. However, after they tipped over in a lake with their camera equipment, Gerda decided that they should each have their own inflatable kayak instead.

Besides her loving husband Urs, Gerda is survived by her two daughters, Nadine (Kurty) and Silvia (Jason); and her wonderful grandchildren whom she loved very much, Jonah, Chelsea, Elliot and Sam, of Calgary, AB. She is also survived by many Swiss relatives who cannot be named for fear of leaving somebody out.

We love you, mom. We will miss our special breakfasts together. You always went all out!

We will have a Celebration of Life in the summer when we can all be together outdoors. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do something nice for somebody else unexpectedly and without explanation. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on Gerda’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Gerda Kallen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.