Visiting: Thursday (6/11) 2-4 & 7-9 PM Prayer Service: Thursday 8 PM Leave: Friday (6/12) 10 AM Cemetery: Stillwater Cemetery 930 Maple Avenue Stillwater New Jersey 07875 - - - COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING AVAILABLE - - - Gerd Alvilda was born Febriary 22nd 1931 in Stavanger Norway, the second of seven daughters from Anna (Andersen) Knutsen and Oskar Knutsen. For several years the family endured the Nazi occupation of Stavager and Gerd had many interesting stories of the occupation. She loved her parents and sisters Karen, Astrid, Konstance, Ester, Agnes and Sally very much and took great joy from family gatherings. Before the family finally fully immigrated to America, Gerd came in a first Knutsen wave in 1947. At the tender age of 16 Gerd worked as an au pair and as a housecleaner, no doubt learning her independent nature and acclimated to the New Norse 'Lapkaus Boulevard' scene that had grown on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn. Before long, all the Knutsen clan was in Brooklyn. It wasn't long before Oskar picked up the family and moved to San Francisco, undoubtedly seeking greener pastures. Here, Gerd worked as a waitress. It was there that Gerd met Carroll Raynie at a bus stop. He was 'bumming around' San Francisco after having served in the Navy Pacific theater from 39-45.. Thankfully their romance developed quickly because Oskar took the Knutsens back to Brooklyn. Carroll followed and married Mom on July 8, 1950, the same day Gerd's sister Karen gave birth to her first son Robert. Karen and Gerd were best friends as so Karen was to be Gerd's maid of honor but Robert was a most welcome alternative plan. Gerd and Carroll became neighbors of Teddy Stange, and so met his family and the Norse of Stillwater New Jersey, early long shore men commuters. Here, Anna and Oskar bought property to build a house, and later Gerd and Carroll bought a home on the adjacent property. Eventually, Karen and her children lived in Stillwater year round, and this place became a very magical and memorable place filled with family love and antics. In 1957, Kenneth Carl was born to Gerd, 3 years later Edward John. Gerd was a devoted and loving mother raising us among a community of family and friends in our apartment building and on our block. Gerd reveled in arranging family trips to Haywarden Iowa to visit Carroll's family, or back to Norway to visit her family. Gerd worked as a waitress for many years at the Garden Room restaurant in the old A&S on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. Here, she made many life long friendships and enjoyed shopping by waiting for clearance sales and applying her employee discount. Mostly on her love of fashionable clothes, but also some really nice furniture. Ken and Ed both married and Gerd was a loving mother in law to Rosa, and in Ed's case, Susan, Kitena and Jessica. On 7/8/82 Gerd's first granddaughter Cay was born and Gerd was elated with the Anniversary gift. Gerd and Carroll (Pop-Pop) were loving grandparents and truly enjoyed spending as much time as possible with Cay. Carroll's health deteriorated with Parkinson's from 92 to his passing in 94 and Gerd was an extraordinary and loving care giver. It saddened her greatly when at the same time her dear sister Karen began to deteriorate. Gerd did manage to pull both along with her to attend her nephew Neal's wedding in Norway in 1994. This was no easy task but Gerd did not back away from worthwhile family challenges. When A&S closed the restaurant, Gerd began to waitress at the Danish Athletic Club, where she had been a member for many many years. The DAC had become the one of the last vestiges of Brooklyn Scandinavian culture, and Gerd made many many friends among the staff and members. Gerd moved into an apartment on Owls Head Court owned by her friend and DAC Manager Reidun Thompson. Here and at the DAC Gerd and Reidun developed a special bond so as to become family. In 1996, Gerd's 2nd granddaughter Rachel Marie Raynie was born followed in 1997 by granddaughter number three came, Anna Lee Raynie. Gerd was very active in their lives, and was an inspiration by learning to drive and then driving herself up to the Poconos to visit often. In February 2013 Gerd became a Great Grandmother when Max Raynie Militano was born of Cay Raynie and Marko Militano. Gerd worked at the DAC until she was 81 and thereafter lived among her friends and family in Brooklyn. Gerd lived a loving and independent life of inspiration to me. She and Reidun fell ill the same day, February 4th 2014. Gerd's journey since that point has been difficult, and she expressed to me consistently a readiness to 'go'. Gerd passed peacefully and comforted in accordance with her wishes. Gerd carried a youthful love of life throughout her entire life and would want us all to continue living lives of loving joy remembering her.