Gertrude G. Hansen

VisitationSunday, August 2, 2009, after 5:00 PMPrayer Service     7:00 PMOhde Twit Funeral Home, Carroll

Funeral ServiceMonday, August 3, 2009, 10:00 AMSt John the Baptist Catholic ChurchArcadia, Iowa

IntermentSt John CemeteryArcadia

  Gertrude Genevieve, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Strait) Beam, was born May 11, 1924 in Winnipeg, Canada, where her parents were visiting on business. Gertrude grew up in Minneapolis where she attended school and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

   On May 12, 1941 Gertrude was united in marriage with Peter H. Hansen in Omaha, NE. They lived in Omaha and were the parents of four daughters. Gertrude was a nurses aide in both Minneapolis and Omaha early in her life. Later she worked at Bakers Supermarket in Omaha in the delicatessen department. Gertrude retired in 1985, after 20 years in that job, after suffering a severe burn.

   Gertrude enjoyed visiting casinos and playing Keno. She collected most anything that had to do with angels.  She was an avid reader and always had the television on. She joined her daughter in singing in the choir for many years and often joined her daughters at mass.

   In 2001 Gertrude moved to her own home in Arcadia, IA, to be near her daughter Stephanie. When her health began to fail, Gertrude became a resident of St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll on April 17, 2009. She died quite suddenly and unexpectedly on August 1, 2009 at St Anthony Hospital in Carroll at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 21 days.

   Preceding her in death are her parents; husband; daughter Diane Jean Hodgman; three infant granddaughters; sister Joan Magnuson; and two brothers Richard Beam and Robert Beam.

   Gertrude is survived by three daughters: Margaret and husband Ernie Bargas of Omaha; Stephanie Hansen of Arcadia; and Deborah and husband Alvin Beamis of Omaha; eight grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sister Patty Stark of Maple Grove, MN; two brothers Herb Beam and wife Anna of Omaha and Jim Beam and wife Margaret of Onamia, MN, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.