Gertrude Maresh

Gert Maresh, 91, passed away on January 9, 2009, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa. She was born to Melvin and May Blodgett on March 17, 1917. She lived in Racine, Wisconsin, all her life, until her 89th birthday, when she moved to Calvin Community, Des Moines, Iowa, to be near her daughter and family. On September 25, 1943, she was married to Clifford Maresh, who preceded her in death on September 1, 1979, after 35 years of marriage.
Gert was a longtime member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she served as Sunday school teacher, deacon, and Circle chairman. She was also a member of Lincoln Lutheran Auxiliary.
Gert worked for the Racine Unified School District for 21½ years as a school secretary, last working at Gifford School where she retired in 1982.
After her retirement, she was a volunteer reader for the “Visually Impaired Program,” for 6 years, at the Racine Public Library. She also was a longtime member of the Racine Y.W.C.A.
Gert is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Peter Dittmer, of Norwalk, Iowa; one son and daughter-in-law, Tomm and Agnes Maresh of Santa Clara, California and three grandchildren, Dawn (Patrick) McCallum, of Des Moines, Iowa; Ian Maresh, of Santa Clara, California; Matt Panko, of Royal, Iowa, and four great-grand children-Jamie and Jillian Panko, Kaylan and Piper McCallum. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Sarah Maresh and Alice Maresh of Racine. Also, a special friend, Nancy Bigge, who has been like her “other daughter” for many years; nieces and nephews; Barbara and Chuck Feehrer, Bob and Helyn Blodgett, Donna and Al Bumpus, Dianne and Steve Eytalis, Ed Maresh, and great nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends and neighbors.
Gert was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Cliff, her brother Howard Blodgett, sister-in-law Helen Blodgett, two brothers-in-law Edward Maresh and Don Maresh and one great-nephew, Casey Bumpus.
Gert was a loyal friend. She loved to send cards, letters and make phone calls, maintaining her life-long friendships, especially with her “pen pal” of 75years, Guste Dohmann in Germany.
These three quotes were very meaningful to Gert:
“If I can help someone as I travel along my way in life, then my living shall not have been in vain.”
“Please remember to feed the birds – I always fed the birds and I know that they will miss me too.”
“Those we hold most dear, never really leave us, they live in our hearts forever.”
In lieu of flowers, please direct remembrances to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin, Calvin Community in Des Moines, Iowa, or Kavanagh House on 56th in Des Moines (Hospice of Central Iowa).
Funeral services will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Racine, Wisconsin on Thursday, January 15, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at Wilson Funeral Home, 1212 Lathrop Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at Calvin Community, 4210 Hickman Road, Des Moines, Iowa, on Sunday afternoon, January 18, at 2:00 p.m.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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