Gertrud Emilia Klasén

Who was Miss Gertrud Emilia Klasén?

Miss Gertrud Emilia Klasén was a young Swedish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on December 11, 1910, in Fliseryd, Kalmar, Sweden, she was just 1 (one) year old when she embarked on her tragic journey. Gertrud’s story is a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family

A Complex Family Situation

Gertrud’s early life was marked by unique family circumstances:

• Born to Alice Esther Amanda Klasén (b. August 15, 1890)
• Illegitimate child, raised by her grandparents
• Grandparents: Klas Victor Karlsson and Johanna Matilda (née Jonsdotter)
• Raised in Grimshult, Fliseryd

Her mother, Alice, emigrated to America in 1911, leaving young Gertrud behind with her grandparents. This separation, though brief, would set the stage for the fateful journey that lay ahead.

Mother’s New Life in America

While Gertrud remained in Sweden, her mother Alice began a new chapter:

• Married Emil Peter Edwards (formerly Löfqvist) in California, summer 1911
• Emil Edwards: Swedish immigrant who arrived in America in 1902
• Interestingly, Emil was the brother of Gertrud’s aunt, Hulda Klasén

The Fateful Journey

Why was Gertrud on the Titanic?

Gertrud’s presence on the Titanic was part of a plan to reunite her with her mother in America. The young girl was traveling with:

• Her aunt, Hulda Klasén
• Her 18-year-old uncle, Klas Albin Klasén

Their destination was Los Angeles, where Gertrud’s mother awaited their arrival. The family had obtained their emigration certificates on March 22, 1912, just weeks before their departure.

Titanic Boarding Details

Gertrud and her family were part of a larger group of Swedish passengers, including:

• Hulda Amanda Adolfina Veström (another niece of Mrs. Klasén)
• Mrs. Sandström and her two daughters
• Elina Olsson
• Thure Lundström

The Tragic Outcome

What happened to Gertrud on the Titanic?

Sadly, Gertrud Emilia Klasén did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. At just 1 (one) year old, she perished along with her aunt Hulda and uncle Klas Albin. The bodies of the Klasén family members were never identified, if they were recovered at all.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

How did Gertrud’s death impact her family?

While Gertrud’s young life was cut tragically short, her mother Alice continued her life in California:

• Alice and Emil had their first child, Freda, on October 14, 1912
• They went on to have four more children:
  1. Evelyn Joanna (1914-1977, later Mrs. Conrad Nels Miller)
  2. Esther (b. 1915)
  3. Herbert (1920-1977)
  4. Leonard Frederick (1930-1994)

Alice’s life took further turns:

• Widowed in 1942
• Remarried to John Wilford Keiser (1881-1966)
• Passed away in Los Angeles on March 8, 1966

Gertrud Emilia Klasén’s brief life and tragic end on the Titanic serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the disaster. Her story, intertwined with the complex tapestry of early 20th-century immigration, familial separation, and the pursuit of new beginnings, continues to resonate with those who study the Titanic’s history. Though she never reached the shores of America, Gertrud’s memory lives on as part of the enduring legacy of the Titanic’s youngest victims.