Gertrude Marie (Quigley) JOHNSON

JOHNSON, QUIGLEY, GAFFNEY, OBERHAUSER, MCCONVILLE, EELS, STEGMAN, BOCKMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/27/2007 at 03:01:52

December 3, 2002

Gertrude Marie Johnson, 89, of Belmond, died on Monday, November 25, 2002, at the Belmond Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, November 29, 2002, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, officiated by Father David Beckman and Deacon Nick Schmit. Lector was Donna Kopriva and Eucharistic Ministers, were Mona McLaughlin and Theresa Trager. Altar servers were Elyse Beenken and Michael Just. Music was provided by Janyce Kluss, organist and Cyndy McNulty, cantor and Dominique Bockman, soloist. Casket bearers were Frank Quigley, Tom Quigley, Jr., Pat Quigley, Stephen Quigley, Eugene Quigley, Nancy Beenken, Theresa Trager, Rose Ellen McGrann, Susan Followwill and Carol Fletcher. Honorary casket bearers were Gertrude's grandchildren, Greg Oberhauser, Gretchen Stegman, Todd McConville, Susan McConville, Jeff McConville, Michelle McConville, Doug McConville, Spencer Eells, Craig Eells, Dominique Bockman, Ned Johnson, Erin Johnson and Alex Johnson. Ushers were Hugh Kopriva and Mike McLaughlin. Interment was in the St. Francis Cemetery near Belmond.

Gertrude Marie Quigley, daughter of Francis and Ellen (Nellie) Gaffney Quigley, and granddaughter of Francis and Mary Sherry Quigley and Thomas and Anne Brady Gaffney, was born on October 8, 1913, in Goodell. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Goodell, the same church her father and mother were instrumental in building. She attended country school in Hancock County and graduated from the Goodell High School in 1931. Gertrude graduated from the Hamilton Business School in Mason City and later was employed at the Wright County Courthouse for a time. Gertrude was united in marriage with Henry O. Johnson on December 8, 1937, in Belmond. Hank entered the service in 1944 and received three bronze stars during the following campaigns, Central European, Rhineland and Ardennes in the European Theater of Operations. While Hank was serving his country, Gertrude remained in Belmond caring for the couple's children. Hank was discharged in 1945 and returned to Belmond. Gertrude was honored as a Gold Star Sister following the loss of her younger brother, Raymond who gave his life when the USS Houston was sunk during WW II. Gertrude was first and foremost a wife and mother, but was employed from time to time outside the home and later in the records department at the Belmond Hospital. Gertrude cherished her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her many friends. She was a devout member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, the Rosary Society, one of the founders and a 50-year member of the St. Elizabeth Study Club, and ACCW-Deanery President. She took great pride in caring for the altar linens. Gert also was a long-time election commissioner and belonged to several bridge clubs for over 50 years.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers; and one sister. She is survived by her husband, Henry; three daughters, Maryellen Oberhauser of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jeanne (Michael) McConville of Des Moines and Bette (Lew) Eells of Cedar Rapids; three sons, Sam Johnson of Fort Dodge, Ray Johnson and his fiancée, Teresa and her daughter, Katie of Belmond and Len (Jan) Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, Greg and Kim Oberhauser and their son, Garrett, Gretchen and Allen Stegman, Todd, Susan, Michelle, Jeff and Doug McConville, Spencer and Kris Eells and their children, Carson, Jenna, and Jackson, Craig and Kelly Eells and their son, Parker, Dominique and Mike Bockman and their children, Nicholas and Patrick, Ned and Erin Johnson and Alex Johnson.

©Belmond Independent 2002