Gertrude Rita Friis 1928 - 2016

FRIIS, MCGIVERN, BRELL

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/20/2016 at 13:24:17

Gert R. Friis
BORN: October 22, 1928
DIED: June 17, 2016
LOCATION: Sloan, Iowa

Gert R. Friis, 87, of Sloan, Iowa passed away Friday, June 17, 2016 at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

A funeral mass will be held 10:30 A.M. Wednesday June 22, 2016 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa with Father Mark Stoll, Celebrant, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Salix, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Tuesday June 21, 2016 at the church with a scriptural prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.

Gertrude Rita was born October 22, 1928 in Sloan, Iowa the daughter of James and Margaret (McGivern) Brell. She graduated from Sloan High School in 1946. After graduation, she was employed as a switch board operator by Long Telephone Company in Sloan, Iowa.

Gert and Robert "Bob" Friis were united in marriage on May 6, 1950 in Salix, Iowa. To this union, five children were born, Mary Ellen, Mike, Peg, Marcia, and Dan. Bob preceded her in death on August 22, 2012.

Gert raised her family while also helping Bob on the farm.

Gert was an avid golfer and member of Sloan Country Club. She also loved to play cards and was a member of the Ladies Card Group. She was also active in the Sloan Mother's Club.

Gert was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Salix where she was very active in their Tabernacle Society.

Survivors include her five children, Mary Ellen (Greg) Olson of Ruthven, IA, Mike (Linda) Friis of Sloan, IA, Peg (Tom) Copple of Sloan, IA, Marcia (Jerry) Sailer of Moville, IA, and Dan (Deb) Friis of Menomonie, WI; eleven grandchildren, Rob (Karla) Copple, Jennifer (Mike) Geelan, Kim Tope, Vicky (Larry) Conlon, Rebecca (Jeremy) Nelson, Jill (Beau) Freese, Christy (Darren) Piercy, Ryan (Lacey) Friis, Danielle Friis, Kyle Birkholz, and Cori Birkholz; twenty-three great-grandchildren; half brother, Jim; and half sister, Mary Frances.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert "Bob" Friis; one brother, Jack Brell, and three sisters, Ann Hassett, Helen Millenger, and Jimmie Wagner.

Memorials may be directed in Gert's honor to Burgess Hospice, Onawa and Pleasant View Care Center, Whiting.