Gertrude Shadle

Gertrude Elizabeth (Hamm) Shadle, age 91, of Sac City, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2004, at Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View.

Gertrude was born February 26, 1913, five miles south of Sac City, in Sac County, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Sarah “Sadie” (Parkinson) Hamm. She was baptized at the First Christian Church in Sac City February 8, 1931. She graduated from Sac City High School in 1930 with Normal School Training and taught country school. Gertrude was united in marriage to Clifford Shadle July 4, 1935. They lived five miles north of Sac City. To this union two children were born: Sharon and Kenneth.

When her husband became ill and went to the nursing home in 1974, she moved to Sac City and worked at the Ben Franklin Store for 14 years. Her family always came first. She was a loving wife, mother, and helpmate to her husband throughout their lives on the farm.

Gertrude was a member of the First Christian Church of Sac City and attended church until her health failed. She taught Sunday school for several years, was a Deaconess, a member of the C.W.F. and C.W.F. Chairwoman. She belonged to several card clubs, was a member of the H.Y.N. Club, member of the Iowa State Bank Friendship Club, Loring Hospital Auxiliary, volunteer at Loring Hospital, an honorary member of the Wa Tan Ye Club in Sac City, and former member of Rebekah Lodge.

Survivors include her two children: Sharon Olerich and her husband Ronald of Lake View, IA, and Kenneth Shadle and his wife Marlene of Mason City, IA; seven grandchildren and their spouses: Jeffrey (Peg) Olerich, Kenneth (Terry) Olerich, Gregory (Tina) Olerich, and Lance (Paula) Olerich, Mark (Michelle) Shadle, Brian (Debbie) Shadle, and Susan (Ray) Burget; sixteen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; her extended family members, and friends.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clifford, October 29, 1976; brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Helen Hamm; in-laws: Robert and Mildred Shadle, Forest and Ora Shadle, and Mabel and Vern Quail.

Funeral services for Gertrude will be held Thursday, September 30th, 10:30 a.m., at the First Christian Church in Sac City. Reverend Sharla Hulsey will officiate and Sue Peyton will accompany Steve Pullen with special music. Joan Wilkerson and Sally Anglum will take care of the flower arrangements. Gertrude’s grandchildren will be casketbearers. They include the following: Jeffrey Olerich, Kenneth Olerich, Gregory Olerich, Lance Olerich, Mark Shadle, Brian Shadle, and Susan Burget. Burial will be at the Oakland Cemetery in Sac City under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 29th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.