Gertrude Amanda Seidl, age 88, of Darwin Township, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, at the Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield.
She was born Aug. 2, 1925, in Round Grove Township, McLeod County, the daughter of Emil and Martha (Boelter) Riebe. Gertrude was baptized as an infant, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth Sept. 19, 1937, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynn Township, rural Hutchinson.
She received her education in her home area.
Gertrude was united in marriage to Roy K.W. Johnson Sept. 7, 1940, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynn Township. This marriage was blessed with four children, Dorothy, Sharon, Roy and Leona.
Gertrude and Roy resided and farmed in Ellsworth Township, Meeker County. They shared 39 years of marriage until Roy passed away Feb. 23, 1980.
Gertrude was united in marriage to Joseph Seidl April 3, 1982, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Joseph and Gertrude resided in Darwin Township, Meeker County, and shared 27 years of marriage, until Joseph passed away July 25, 2009.
In addition to being a loving homemaker and mother, Gertrude held employment at Green Giant in Glencoe, and Jennie O Foods in Litchfield.
She was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield, where she taught Sunday school, was active in the church Circle Bible Study, and was a member of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA).
She served as a township election judge for many years, and donated to the Epileptic Foundation.
Gertrude was active in the County Extension Circle. She enjoyed baking, sewing, dancing, tending to her gardens, and coffee clutching with neighbors. Gertrude also enjoyed helping on the farm and milking cows. She especially cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, and friends.
Gertrude is survived by her children, Dorothy Euerle, Sharon Oberg, and Roy W. Johnson, Sr. and his wife, Violet, all of Litchfield; 20 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Ilo Riebe of Winthrop, and Elsie Riebe of Dassel; nieces; nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husbands, Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Martha Riebe; a daughter, Leona Tews and her husband, Larry; a son-in-law, William Euerle; a sister; and six brothers.
The funeral service took place Saturday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, preceded by visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment was at Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield.
Arrangements were by the Hantge Funeral Chapel in Darwin.
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