Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Minonk, with the Rev. Ray Barclay officiating. Burial will follow in Minonk Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship House, 1718 N. 2525th Road, Ottawa, IL 61350; or to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Minonk. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, is in charge of arrangements.

Gertie was born Dec. 18, 1909, in rural Benson, the daughter of John and Katie Antons Fortman. She married Walter W. Kelm on May 10, 1941, at St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural Flanagan. He died Nov. 12, 1981.

Surviving are two children, Ilene (Bill) Beverley, Sandwich, and Richard Kelm, Shabbona; a sister, Mabel Harms, El Paso; two grandsons, Joel (Heather) Beverley, Hainesville, and Ryan (Amanda Blair) Beverley, Sandwich; and one great-grandson, Kevin C. Beverley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Anna Huxtable; and two brothers, Henry Fortman and Jacob Fortman.

Gertie was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Minonk, where she was part of the Sewing Circle.

When Gertie moved to Pleasant View Luther Home in 2003, she soon became very active in the various programs offered there. Many of her newfound friends were envious of her natural red hair color and appreciated her meaningful conversations and kindness.

She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.