With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Herta Schenk on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at St. Thomas General Hospital, at the age of 102, surrounded by her family. Herta was born in the German colony of Topcza, Ukraine, on August 15, 1924, the daughter of the late Ludwig and Olga (nee Benkendorf) Dreger. She is predeceased by her husband William Schenk, her brother Arnold and wife Erika Dreger, her sister Elizabeth and husband Lutz Luken, and her sister Meta Eggers (surviving husband Addy Eggers). She is survived by her children, Willy, Inge (Carmine Torchia), Lori (Miles Valley), and Heidi (George Congdon); her grandchildren, Laura (JJ Brown), Keri, Bonnie (Ryan Neville), David (wife), Lucas, and Zachariah (Sara); and her three great-grandchildren, Alyssa Brown, Hannah Neville, and Ripley Neville.
Herta will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, and community. Herta was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her family fondly remembers their time with her at the cottage, in her home, her baking and meals made with love, and the care she showed to all who crossed her path. She was also a devoted believer of God and this informed how she lived her life.
Herta vividly remembered World War II and her family’s experiences during that difficult time. She often shared her story with friends and family, recounting the resilience and strength required to survive the harrowing journey, as well as the memories of the loved ones she lost. Herta documented her experiences in a personal memoir, Journey to Freedom, written with the assistance of her daughter, Inge. In it, she chronicled her wartime experiences and her journey to Canada. She dedicated her memoir to her family, expressing gratitude to those who helped make her journey to freedom possible.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen St. S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) on Wednesday, October 28 from 10 o’clock until time of funeral service in the chapel at 11 o’clock. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bolton. Following the interment, a reception will take place at the funeral home. Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Rick Dreger
we lost a beautiful lady and will miss her terribly.
I am rick dregers wife rhonda dreger.
I have only met tanta herta in person 3x since my 65 birthday September 25, but I feel like I’ve known her longer with all the stories she told us herself and stories others have told us about your 102 years here.
tanta herta left this world knowing how much she was loved and always will be loved.
she is a great example of history that should be shared so people know what she went through as well as others.
I myself feel she is amazing and her life stories etc.
rick and I love you much and will miss you terribly
glad I had the opportunity to meet you and for rick to be able to see you again.
love you tanta herta now, forever and for always
lieba dich
rick and rhonda dreger
until we meet again beautiful lady
Patrizia Sorichetti Rella
Inga: it is with sorrow that I extend my condolences to you and your family.
Your mom was a very special woman indeed. Please except mine and my family’s sincerest condolences. She will be in my prayers. ✝️
Rick Dreger
I only met you 3x in person, once exactly a month before my last 2 times with you ,for my birthday wish but I feel like I’ve known you for longer because of all the stories you told both Rick and I and and also what others have told us. I’ve heard so many stories about your 102 years here with us all and I feel like your life story should be told so those that don’t know, will know . you left this world knowing and feeling very much loved and of course will be terribly missed. you were such a amazing woman in my eyes alone. You are a very important part of history and I really do think you’re story should be shared about all of your experiences. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet you and for my husband Rick to able to see you again. until we meet again beautiful lady. We love you, now, forever and for always and will always remember you Tanta Herta xoxo
lieba dich ( love you )
Rick and myself ❤️