Jutta (pronounced “You-tuh”) was born in the German town of Bad Salzuflen. When she was 3 years old (in the early 1930s), her family relocated to a place called Lemgo. The move was forced upon them as her father was a judge (and therefore, a civil servant) who refused to join the Nazi party, so he was demoted to a lesser jurisdiction. Jutta’s mother was a nurse midwife.
Jutta and her two older sisters were schooled in Lemgo from ages 6-10. From there they were sent to a semi-private high school called Lyceum where both Latin and French were taught. Jutta graduated in 1945 at the age of 17. To further her employment possibilities, she then enrolled in a high-caliber trade school where she learned Spanish as well as typing, dictation and shorthand.
The expectation in her social milieu was that she would ultimately employ a housekeeper/cook once she had her own home. Jutta’s mother insisted she should have practical experience in that sort of role. However, in postwar Germany, there were few families that could afford such a servant.
In that same period, Sweden was inviting German youth who were impoverished after the war to come to their country to live and to work. Through a neighbour, Jutta learned of a Swedish family with 5 children who were desperate to have a housekeeper. She immediately wrote to them and applied for the position. Within a week she had the job and a train ticket to Stockholm. Her plan was to stay in Sweden for just one year.
Of course things changed for her when, while working in Sweden, she met a German fellow named Wolf at a party. The lumber company he worked for in Germany had sent him to Sweden — but he ended up working for a Swedish company in Stockholm instead.
Jutta and Wolf dated. Though living accommodation was scarce, they finally found a place to rent: the lower level of a house with a fireplace and garden access.
Their marriage was planned for 1953. They returned to Germany to be married in the Reformed church where her grandfather had once been the minister. This was 25 miles from her family’s home but a bus was rented for family and guests. As the car carrying the wedding couple was spotted from the church tower, the bells started to ring out long before their actual arrival. This made it an even more festive celebration!
The couple returned to live in Stockholm for the next three years. Jutta worked in an office where she created her own Swedish version of shorthand as she had also become quite fluent in spoken as well as written Swedish.
Wolf knew a German fellow who had visited British Columbia and talked in glowing terms of the lumber industry in Vancouver. Wolf and Jutta decided to try working in Canada for two years. Once in Vancouver, though, Wolf was unable to find any work other than basic factory work in his field. Though he checked for the potential to work back in Germany, the industry there was failing.
Circumstances finally changed for them when they met some immigrants from the Baltic states. They socialized with these friends at parties and camped together as well. Their support was instrumental in Jutta and Wolf finally settling in Vancouver.
Wolf took an aptitude test with results indicating that he could become either a mathematics professor or an accountant. He went to night school, studying to be an accountant and did some accounting work at the Vancouver airport. From there he applied to work with the Canadian Pacific Airline. He was hired and ultimately progressed to become Assistant Vice President of that Airline.
Because of his employment with CPAir, he and Jutta were able to travel over the years — often to Germany, as well as places like India and Brazil. By this time, the couple had two children: a boy and a girl (both of whom were born on the North Shore, attending Cyprus Elementary and then Sentinal High School in West Vancouver).
In the meanwhile, because of a slipped disc, Jutta visited a yoga specialist for treatment. This person then encouraged her to become a yoga teacher herself as there few instructors in the area at that time. Jutta embraced the idea, as yoga was becoming increasingly popular. She taught yoga for 40 years up to the age of 73.
In 1982 there was a sudden change in their marriage relationship which precipitated Jutta and Wolf’s divorce. This was an emotionally challenging time for her and the family. Under these changed circumstances, Jutta decided she should go into the real estate business — but she needed training.
Her son happened to pass the Real Estate Board’s main office at 10 o’clock one evening, saw a line up of people outside and inquired as to what was happening. Because the housing market was hot at this time, these folk were applying to become realtors. Jutta’s son phoned to tell her of this, and then stood in the line-up until she could get there herself. Once she arrived, her son set her up with blankets, coffee and a place to sit. It was going to be an overnight wait.
Jutta stayed there all night, put in her application, and was accepted! The next challenge was eight weeks of intense study and training at UBC in the real estate field, but she was up for it … and she passed! Jutta spent many years in that business.
For her mother’s 85th birthday, Jutta planned a visit to Germany. Soon after her arrival there, she suddenly developed a violent headache. Fortunately a niece contacted a surgeon whose time was available. They discovered a tumour at the base of Jutta’s skull! She had had absolutely no awareness of anything amiss until the sudden headache developed. Jutta underwent immediate surgery in Germany and required 5 weeks of convalescent care before returning home. Her children had flown to see her after the surgery as her condition was considered grave.
When asked about her outside interests, Jutta shared that she volunteered for 40 years on the board of Friends of Chamber Music. However, when asked specifically about hobbies, her quick response was “People!” She just loves to talk with the variety of people she meets.
It was from her many social connections that she met June Hahn and her family. June introduced her to our North Shore Unitarian community during the tenure of Stephen Atkinson as our minister. Jutta has been a faithful and interested pillar of our church since then — and still attends regularly.