Gertrude Maresh's Obituary
RACINE - Gertrude (nee: Blodgett) Maresh, 91, passed away January 9, 2009, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa. She was born to Melvin and May Blodgett on March 17, 1917. She lived in Racine all of her life, until her 89th birthday, when she moved to Calvin Community, Des Moines, Iowa, to be near her daughter and family. On September 25, 1943, she was married to Clifford Maresh, who preceded her in death on September 1, 1979, after 35 years of marriage. Gert was a longtime member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church where she served as Sunday school teacher, deacon, and Circle chairman. She was also a member of Lincoln Lutheran Auxillary. Gert worked for the Racine Unified School District for 21 1/2 years as a school secretary, last working at Gifford School where she retired in 1982. After her retirement, she was a volunteer reader for the 'Visually Impaired Program,' for 6 years, at the Racine Public Library. She also was a longtime member of the Racine Y.W.C.A. Gert was a loyal friend. She loved to send cards, letters and make phone calls, maintaining her life-long friendships, especially with her 'penpal' of 75 years, Guste Dohmann in Germany. Gert is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Peter Dittmer, of Norwalk, Iowa; one son and daughter-in-law, Tomm and Agnes Maresh of Santa Clara, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Dawn (Patrick) McCallum of Des Moines, Iowa, Ian Maresh of Santa Clara, Calif., Matt Panko of Royal, Iowa; and four great-grandchildren, Jamie and Jillian Panko, Kaylan and Piper McCallum; two sisters-in-law, Sarah Maresh and Alice Maresh of Racine, special friend, Nancy Bigge, who was like her 'other daughter' for many years; nieces, nephews, Barbara and Chuck Feehrer, Bob and Helyn Blodgett, Donna and Al Bumpus, Dianne and Steve Eytalis, Ed Maresh; and great-nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends and neighbors. Gert was also preceded in death by her parents, brother, Howard Blodgett; sister-in-law Helen Blodgett; two brothers-in-law, Edward Maresh and Don Maresh; and one great-nephew, Casey Bumpus. Funeral services will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church 2219 Washington Ave., on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Friends may meet at the Wilson Funeral Home 1212 Lathrop Ave., on Wednesday evening, January 14, 2009 from 5 until 8 p.m. and also at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, please direct remembrances to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, of Racine, Calvin Community in Des Moines, Iowa or Kavanagh House on 56th in Des Moines, Iowa (Hospice of Central Iowa), have been suggested. These three quotes were very meaningful to Gert: 'If I can help someone as I travel along my way in life, then my living shall not have been in vain.' 'Please remember to feed the birds - I always fed the birds and I know that they will miss me too.' 'Those we hold most dear, never really leave us, they live in our hearts forever.' WILSON FUNERAL HOME 1212 Lathrop Avenue 634-3361 www. wilsonfuneralhomeracine. com
Published in the Racine Journal Times on 1/11/2009
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