Gertrude (Gertie, Gert) Gesiena Breedyk, 71, of Mission Viejo, California, went home to be with the Lord on December 31, 2025, surrounded by family, following a sudden onset of sepsis from an abdominal infection.

Gertie was born on July 26, 1954, in Artesia, California, the first of six children to Arie and Jessie Breedyk, first-generation Americans who emigrated from the Netherlands. In September of that year, the family moved to Duarte, California, where her parents began a dairy business and her brother John was born. Two years later they relocated to Chino, California, continuing their dairy business and welcoming the rest of their children. Gert, as her family called her, lovingly cared for her younger siblings while her mother worked on the dairy and was known as “Daddy’s little princess.” When she came of school age, she attended Ontario Christian School from first grade through high school. Her dad taught her how to care for her own car, manage her finances, and take care of herself — lessons that shaped her independence and strength.

Independent and self-reliant, Gertie created her own “Domestic Engineer” house-cleaning business and continued making her home in Chino after her family later moved their dairy operation to Roswell, New Mexico. Gertie was more than a house cleaner. She took pride in making homes sparkle and even greater pride in forming personal relationships with her clients, sharing companionship, helping with errands and pet care, and stepping in wherever a need arose.

Gertie was firm in her faith and maintained a strong relationship with the Lord, sharing His love with those around her. She rose early each morning for devotion and prayer, often heading to work by 5 or 6 a.m. She was active in Bible study and faithfully attended church, singing in the choir and helping with children’s programs. She spent over fifteen years singing in the choir at The Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, where she met her future husband, Jim Delzer. They were married on May 2, 2015.

After their marriage, Gertie and Jim built their relationship on daily prayer. Whether at home or while Jim was traveling, she faithfully made sure they prayed together every day, anchoring their marriage in the Lord. God richly blessed their marriage through their steadfast devotion and faith. Together they attended Saddleback Church on Saturdays, where she continued singing in the choir. On Sundays, she attended Calvary Chapel Foothill Ranch, serving in childcare and supporting youth ministries, while Jim sang at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Wherever she worshiped, church was family. Gertie also supported numerous children’s ministries and Christian and medical nonprofit organizations.

Though she never had children of her own, Gert had a special love for her nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. She delighted in taking them to Disneyland, caring for them, playing games, and simply being a big kid herself. She had a knack for pulling out a winning hand in the card game Tic. She had a playful sense of humor and could deliver a perfectly timed zinger that made everyone laugh. She loved shopping and finding a good deal, cherished her afternoon coffee time, and was just as happy with an In-N-Out or Ruby’s Diner burger as she was anywhere else. Her chocolate chip cookies were a treasured staple at family gatherings.

Gertie is survived by her husband of ten years, Jim Delzer; her brothers John (Lorraine) Breedyk, Neil (Shill) Breedyk, Arie (Darla) Breedyk; and her sister Ina (Neil) Visser and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arie and Jessie Breedyk, her brother, Adrian Breedyk, and niece Shiloh, wife of Justin Breedyk.

Interment will be at Christ Cathedral Memorial Gardens (formerly Crystal Cathedral), 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, California, on Friday, May 8, at 2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 2850 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, California, 92626 on Saturday, May 9, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Calvary Chapel Foothill Ranch Youth Program, ccfoothillranch.org. Special Instruction – Youth Program. 26882 Vista Terrace, Lake Forest, California 92630.

Her legacy of faith, service, joyful devotion, and steadfast love will continue to bless all who knew her.

To help us prepare for the service and reception, we kindly ask that you visit ggbree.com to let us know how many will be attending in your party.

Gertie loved to worship through song, and we will be gathering a choir for the service. If you feel led to join, you are warmly invited to register at the same website.