Gjertrude Catherine Gronemann

Gjertrude Catherine Gronemann is the seventh of 11 children born to George Ludvig Gronemann and Andrea Petrea Rose, both of Denmark. The family immigrated to America sailing on the ship “Monarch of the Sea.” While on the ship, many onboard were infected with measles and dysentery. Once arriving in America, the family traveled to Florence, Nebraska and joined the John Smith Company to journey to the Salt Lake Valley with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Company departed July 25, 1864.

Exhaustive travel conditions, disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and extreme weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. Not long after beginning their trek, 1-year-old Gjertrude passed away, likely from the effects of measles. She is buried along the Mormon Trail West in Nebraska.