Gertrude Virginia Schultz

Gertrude Virginia Schultz, 91, of Castalia, passed away Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian.

Visitation was held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, and one-hour before services at the church on Friday, Feb. 6.

Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, with Rev. Steve Brackett as the Officiant.

Burial followed in the Postville Cemetery, Postville.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, assisted the family with the arrangements.

Gertrude was born on October 7, 1923 in rural Garnavillo, Iowa, the daughter of Lee C. Ball and Irene Fascher Ball. She was baptized on December 19, 1923 by Rev. K.W. Braun and was confirmed on April 10, 1938 by Rev. H.W. Siefkes at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona. Gert attended rural schools in Clayton and Allamakee counties and was very active in county and state 4-H activities as a young girl. Later in life her goal was to complete twelfth grade and was proud to receive her high school GED equivalency in 1992 at the age of 69.

On May 1, 1947 Gertrude married Norman H. Schultz at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona and became the mother of two children born to this union. Gert spent sixty-six years on the farm with Norman, helping with all aspects of farm responsibilities and tending to her homestead, livestock, field work, flower and vegetable gardens and loved watching the birds and squirrels that would feast from the feeders. She enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing for her family. Her tradition was making the dessert, Cherries in the Snow, for every Christmas dinner. She surprised her family members with wonderfully decorated cakes on their birthdays and for other special events. She was very devoted in her faith and was active in St. Paul church groups and activities until her health decline. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her six grandchildren and her great-granddaughter. While living at the Ossian Senior Hospice, she was known as, “Gertie and her smile”.

Survivors include her son, Norman L. and wife Ann of Postville; daughter, Carol J. Kelly of Decorah; six grandchildren, Kara (Steve) Nudo, Ryan Schultz, Alisa (David) Shreve, Emy (Doug) Dunfee, Seth Kelly, Devin Kelly; one great-granddaughter, Layla Shreve; two sisters, Elaine Wilkins and Sharon (James) Schultz; brothers-in-law, Ralph Hornberger and James Schultz; a sister-in-law, Marjorie Schultz and many nieces and nephews.

Gert was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman H. (June 7, 2013); a brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Lillian Ball; a sister, Vernelle Hornberger and brothers-in-law, Robert L. Schultz and Keith Wilkins.