Gertrude A. Wardwell

Gertrude A. Wardwell, 94, died Thursday, April 2, 2009, surrounded by her family at her home she lived in for 90 years. Gertrude was born June 30, 1914, in Winona, MN, to Henry and Helen (Schneider) Semler. Gert worked for McConnins in Winona for 20 years. She married Hurrel A. Wardwell on September 1, 1951, in Dakota, MN, and became a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and great grandmother. The two most important things in Gert's life were faith and family. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church and the Catholic Aid Association. Gert is lovingly remembered for her flower gardening, especially snap dragons, and going for walks around town. Hurrel preceded her in death on March 7, 1981.Survivors include her children, Mary Ann (Frankie) Abts of St. Paul, MN, David (Bonnie) Wardwell of Minneiska, MN, Richard (Linda) Wardwell of Winona, MN, and Helen (Don) Doehling of Altura, MN; grandchildren, Jenelle and Jairus Abts of St. Paul, MN, Matthew (Michelle) Wardwell of Winona, MN, Crystal (Jay Hodge) Wardwell of Rollingstone, MN, Garrett (Carlyn) Wardwell of Winona, MN, Chad Wardwell of Brooklyn Park, MN, Jessica (Larry) Sholes of St. Charles, MN, Nathan Doehling of Rollingstone, MN, Andrew and Mariah Doehling of Altura, MN; 11 great grandchildren; and brother, Bernard (Mary) Semler of Lake Forest, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and infant twin daughters, Margaret and Martha.A Funeral Mass will be offered on Monday, April 6th, at 10:00 am at St. John's Catholic Church with the Reverend Thomas Hargesheimer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona, MN. Friends may call at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service Hansen Goodview Chapel on Sunday from 4-7:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. A Christian Prayer Service will be held at 4:00pm during the visitation at the funeral home on Sunday. Please share a memory of Gert with her family, sign her online guestbook or view her video tribute when it becomes available online at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/61915