Gertrude R. Iversen 1915-2011

IVERSEN GIBBONS BLACK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/6/2011 at 14:12:45

Sioux City Journal
30 March 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Gertrude R. Iversen, 95, of Sioux City passed away Saturday, March 26, 2011, at her home.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Rev. Daniel Guenther as celebrant. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with a family rosary at 6:15 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Avenue.

Gertrude was born June 15, 1915, in Pierre, S.D., to George and Mary (Gibbons) Black. She was a twin to Mary Theresa Black, who died in early childhood from pneumonia. Her younger sister, Margaret (Black) Mayer, was born in 1918. They had no other siblings.

Gertrude was raised and received her education in Harrold, S.D., before attending nursing school for two years. Gertrude lost her father as she began her third year of studies. She returned home to care for her mother and worked to help put her younger sister through nurse's training.

Gertrude married Harry A. Iversen on Nov. 12, 1935, in Harrold, S.D., and the couple made the Black Hills their home before relocating to Sioux City in 1941. Gertrude was a proud homemaker and mother for her nine children.

She was active in leading Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops for a number of years. She taught a strong work ethic by her example and support for her children's participation in summer work with Robb Ross Industries, the Sioux City Journal as school representatives and newspaper carriers, defenders of our country in military service, participants in the transportation industries, providers of health care in local facilities that became the basis for lifetime service careers both here and elsewhere. Gertrude worked outside the home from the mid 1960s through the mid 1970s. She taught family nutrition in homes in the Sioux City area through a new program began under Iowa State University Extension office. She was activities director at Westwood Nursing and Convalescent Center. With her husband and children, Gertrude was involved in entrepreneurial activities such as Iversen Hot-House Tomatoes, supplying home-grown produce to area restaurants, stores and other food vendors.

She was a woman of deep faith and fully committed to her Catholic heritage. Her great-uncle was James Cardinal Gibbons, beloved Church scholar/theologian and pastoral leader. Another great-uncle was the Rev. James J. McGovern, respected theologian and author of important studies on Pope Leo XIII. She was active in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, enjoying her membership in the Altar Society and the Catholic Daughters. She and her husband supported their children and several grandchildren through private education at Immaculate Conception Grade School and Bishop Heelan High School. She loved cheering for the children in their sports and academic pursuits. She was lovingly known as Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Gertrude by not only her immediate family but also for many of their friends. She was always a strong rock to lean on and learn from for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and the numerous family lines that have followed over the years.

Gertrude is survived by her children, John R. Iversen of Sioux City, George "Ed" Iversen of Vermillion, S.D., Mark G. Iversen and his wife, Vannie of Nashville, Tenn., Mary Jo Kluver and her husband, Dennis of Sioux City, Judith G. Grant of Vermillion, Theresa Rouse and her husband, Tom of Sioux City; 29 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and their families.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; twin sister, Mary Theresa Black; sister, Margaret (Black) Mayer; husband, Harry; daughter, Margaret Solberg; sons, James and Chris Iversen.