Gertrude H. Berle

Obituary

Gertrude Henrietta Berle was born June 26, 1920, in Bismarck Township, Sibley County, Minnesota, to Allie and Sophia (Kemp) Berle. She was baptized in St. Willibrord’s Catholic Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, and confirmed in St. John’s Catholic Church in Hector, Minnesota. She grew up north of Gibbon, and attended school in Bismarck Township until the age of 12. The family then moved to the Hector and Buffalo Lake areas. Gertrude attended school at District 76 and District 100. At age 18, she joined St. Benedict’s Convent in St. Joseph, Minnesota, where she graduated from High School.

After four years at St. Benedict’s Convent, ill health forced her to leave. She moved to the Gibbon area, and worked several jobs in Gibbon and New Ulm. Gertrude was transferred by the government to the Twin City Ordnance Plant (Army bullet plant) where she worked until after the war. Gertrude completed L.P.N. training, and was employed with the Minneapolis General Hospital as a nurse for 30 years. She retired in 1976 and returned to Hector in 1989. In her later years she also lived in Fairfax and Glencoe.

During her off time, Gertrude always had her camera with her. She loved to take pictures of scenery, people, and weddings. Her other hobbies were making her own clothes, baby layettes, Barbie doll clothes. She also enjoyed crocheting, making baby blankets, afghans, and doilies. She also did cross-stitching and most any kind of craft work. Making scrapbooks was another pastime. She loved helping and working with people, and visiting.

Early Saturday morning, May 26, 2018, Gertrude passed away at the Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care, having reached the age of 97 years, 11 months. Blessed be her memory.

Gertrude is survived by her:

Son, adopted by the Claesgens family, Mark Claesgens and his wife Maria, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana;

Niece, LuAnn Richardson and her husband, Rev. Mark Richardson, of Hutchinson, Minnesota;

many other relatives and friends.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her Parents, Life Partner Henry Knutson, Brother Lawrence Berle, and Sister-in-law Violet Berle.