Gertrude (Gertie) Mae Gatz, aged 87, died peacefully on February 26, 2015, at Maple Heights Nursing Facility, Hiawatha, Kansas. Gertie was born January 25, 1928, in Falls City, Nebraska, the daughter of Antone and Dora Gerweck.

In 1947, Gertie married Warren Gatz of rural Falls City. To this union was born three children: Rita, Roger and Teresa. Gertie enjoyed being a wife, homemaker and 4-H mother and was known for her cooking, baking and sewing skills. She embraced the role of grandmother and great grandmother with love and enthusiasm.

Gertie was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband Warren of 68 years, son Roger (Peg) Gatz of Hiawatha, Kan.; daughter Rita (Bob) Haley of Denver, Colo.; and daughter Teres (John Krueger) Lambert of Windsor, Colo.; four grandsons, Taylor, Walker and Parker Gatz and Trey Lambert; two granddaughters, Holly Holland and Brittany Haley; six great grandchildren; and one sister, Dorothy Fisher of Falls City, Neb. Gertie was preceded in death by her parents, eight brothers and sisters and one great granddaughter Renna Rose Gatz.

A Parish Rosary will be recited at 2:30 Sunday afternoon, March 1, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, led by Carol Rieger and Brian Lillie.  Family visitation will follow the rosary.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Brown County 4-H Foundation, 4-H Extension Office, 601 Oregon Ste. 105, Hiawatha, Kan. 66434.   

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com