Gertrude Elizabeth Goetsch

Sun Prairie-Gertrude E. Goetsch, age 100, passed away on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Sienna Crest Assisted Living, Marshall. She was born on February 27, 1910 in Milwaukee the daughter of Max & Alvina (Lauterbach) Jansen. Gertrude was united in marriage with Harold Goetsch who preceded her in death on August 3, 1959. She was born and raised in Milwaukee and moved to Sun Prairie in 1988. She resided at the Colonia Acres Apartments and Kindred Hearts Assisted Living both in Sun Prairie until most recently moving to the Sienna Crest Assisted Living in Marshall. Her close proximity to the Colonial Club allowed her to be an active volunteer there and she was often noted for her gardening expertise. She was instrumental in starting the gardening club at the Colonial Club. Gertrude volunteered as a ""Reading Buddy"" at Westside School, assisting students in reading skills. She worked with the ""Learn and Serve"" program at the Sun Prairie High School, a program designed to bring seniors and teenagers together for service activities. She also volunteered with the ""Friendly Listeners"" program talking on the phone with children who were home alone after school. All three programs were coordinated by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County. In 2000, she received the State of Wisconsin Ageless Hero Award for her volunteer work. She was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie, participating in the Senior Bible Class and volunteering at the Red Barn. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting, but her greatest enjoyment came as being a grandmother. She is survived by her daughters, Miriam (Ron) Semmann, Sun Prairie and Jane Stubblefield, Apple Valley, MN; her grandchildren, Cindi (Jim) Matras, Tim (Lisa) Semmann, Mike (Joleen) Semmann, Jeff Stubblefield and Robin (Dan Sweeney) Stubblefield; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Abby, Kristin, Laura, Brian, Jacob, Elizabeth and Conor. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Steve Semmann, sisters, Erna (Henry) Soenksen and Henrietta (Link) Lee. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 300 Broadway, Sun Prairie with Rev. Charles Brandt officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial services will be conducted on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery, 6401 N. 43^rd St., Milwaukee. Memorials to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or HospiceCare would be appreciated.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

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Sun Prairie, WI

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