Gertrude Ella Harris

Madison-Gertrude Ella Harris, age 97, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison. She was born on February 6, 1914, in Muscoda the daughter of Hugo & Ella (Humann) Sorge. Gertrude was united in marriage to her first husband Hans Anderson on June 17, 1933 in Dubuque, IA and he passed away in October of 1965. She then married Robert Harris on October 9, 1974 in Nashua, IA, and he passed away in Sept of 1996. She grew up in the Highland/Muscoda area moving to Madison at the age of sixteen. For many years Gertie was a waitress at the Elks Club and the Downtowner Hotel. She also was employed at the Ceramic Arts Studio, Madison and later at the Veterans Hospital in the kitchen. Gertie was very proud of the trips she took with her sister-in-law to Norway as well as one she took to Hawaii with her daughter and sister to visit her grandson. She thoroughly enjoyed going out to eat and spending time with her family. Gertie was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison, 50 year member of the Eagles Club where she served as president 1982-1983, Moose Club and the Sons of Norway. She is survived by her children, Doris (Kenneth) Urkoski, Columbus, NB and Eugene ""Pete"" (Joyce) Anderson, Madison; Daughter-in-law, Kay Anderson, Waunakee; grandchildren, Rick Urkoski, Steve Urkoski, Debra (Ross) Karabel, Pam (Andy) Lewis, Renee'(Jeff) Boyd, Kathy (Dan) McCartney and Brad Anderson; 15 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Hilly Lockwood, Joliet, IL, Jo Balser, Waunakee and Myrtle Menozzi, Joliet, IL; nephews, nieces and a host of friends. Besides her husbands she was preceded in death by her parents, son, Lavern Anderson, sister, Lorraine Hinderliter, and brother, Gerald Sorge. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. at the Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with Rev Curtis Everson officiating. Burial will be held in Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.