Eva-Maria Antonia Gruetzner, age 84, of Swift Current, SK, passed away Wednesday, November 16,2011. A Family Celebration of her life was held at 3:00 p.m., November 21, 2011 at Warren's Funeral Home with Reverend Sharon Ferguson-Hood officiating. The Organist was Arlene Olson. Readers were Brenda Gruetzner and Jill Ahrens-Gruetzner and Kaitlyn Gruetzner, on behave of the grandkids. The interment service was held at Mount Pleasant Burial Park. The Honorary Pallbearers were all those that shared in her life. Eva-Maria is survived by: Her sons Roland Gruetzner (Brenda) and Bert Gruetzner (Jill). Grandchildren Kaitlyn, Jordan, Sydney and Hayden. Sisters Christa Huthmann (Werner) of Calgary, AB and Helga Quinn (Vincent) of West Orange, New Jersey, USA. Brothers-in-law William Mathern of New Jersey, USA and Lawrence Baumann of Swift Current, SK., as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Peter and Erika van den Boom, her loving husband Kurt, sisters Erika Baumann and Gertrud Mathern. Eva-Maria was born in Marburg, Germany on July 23, 1927. She married Kurt Gruetzner on June 4, 1949 in Germany. In Germany Eva was trained and worked as a kindergarden teacher. After world War ll, she worked for a short time for the Americans at their base in Frankfurt, until they discovered that she didn't speak English. Eva and Kurt immigrated to Canada in 1954, where they spent their first year working for their Canadian sponsors in Quebec City. In 1955, Eva and Kurt decided to move to Swift Current, where Eva's other family members were residing. They made the trek to Swift Current in their Morris Minor car and only fifty dollars in their pocket. Swift Current would be where they would make their permanent home in Canada. In 1956, Eva and Kurt opened their first restaurant, Kurt's Take-out in the Esso Gas Station. It was at this restaurant their lives changed once again when they first met Colonel Harland Sanders, who had stopped in their restaurant to eat. The Colonel was so impressed with Kurt's food that he convinced them at add Kentucky Fried Chicken to their menu. Together they ran the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Swift Current until Kurt's passing in 1980. Eva continued to run the family business until her retirement in 1987. Although no longer a working partner, Eva kept a close eye on the operation as she allowed her sons Roland and Bert to continue the family business in the tradition they were taught. Eva was quite active in the community. In her later years she spent many hours volunteering for the First United Church. She taught bible school and did visitations. In her 70s, Eva decided she needed a new challenge and took private computer lessons in order to create and administrate the website for the First United Church in Swift Current and took on the role of it's "Webmaster". She was so very proud of this website and spent late nights getting things “Just right". Eva also took on the role of being the editor of the church monthly newsletter, The First Word. Eva's most treasured piece of life was her family. She loved her sons and their families dearly. The grandkids were so special to her. Since Kurt had passed away in 1980, he didn't get the chance to meet the grandkids, so Oma made up for that with extra love. Eva, Mom and Oma will be dearly missed. In her memory, memorial donations may be made to the Charity of the Donor's Choice. Warren's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. For further information please call 773-8831 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to the family in our book of condolence.