Gertrude Catherine Taylor, age 94, died Saturday, Jan. 22, while surrounded by her family.
Gertie lived through the depression. She walked three to four miles to school. She worked in a factory making plane parts during World War II. Gertie enjoyed playing guitar with her brother and sister on the radio. She played on an all-girls softball traveling team.
Gertie married Frank and together they raised five children. Since 1991, she began making Mission Rosaries and went on to make 5,754, which helped spread her faith all over the world.
She is survived by her children Linda (Randy) Mankin, Frank (Connie) Taylor, Susan Shelley, Laura Taylor, Robert (Wendy) Taylor; grandchildren Jeffrey Mankin, Seth Mankin, Frank (Danielle) Taylor III, Scott Taylor, Christina (Matthew) Kuhl, Cynthia (Richard) Mathis, Steven Shelley II, Carrie (Kevin) Bala, Daniel (Jennifer) Taylor, Amy (David) Fichtner, Matthew Taylor, Amber Taylor; great-grandchildren Reed, Jack, Maddox, Alexander, Riley, Ovelia, Evie, Peyton, Emma, Thomas, Sophie, Isaac, Madeline; siblings Theresa Williams, Charlene Tolhurst, Doris Andres; and many extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Taylor Sr.; parents Henry Jr. and Anna Emma Weber; son, Thomas M. Taylor; son-in-law, Steve W. Shelley Sr.; grandson, Timothy G.T. Mankin; siblings Rosena O’Connor, Jerome Weber, Sylvester Weber, Geneva Ritsema, Ivan Weber, Joseph Weber; and her dear friend, Lillian Havenga.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at Kubiak-Cook, Wayland Chapel – 312 N. Main St., with Prayers of the Rosary at 3:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 128 Cedar St., Wayland, with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.
In memory of Gertrude and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Therese Catholic School or Wings Home of Allegan.
