Gertrude Witgen

With a life that spanned more than a century, Gertrude Witgen colored the world around her with kindness, compassion, and unwavering love. She was selfless in her every thought, word, and deed until she drew her last breath. Gertrude was prim and proper and believed in always looking her best, yet her greatest joy was found in fussing over others. It was known far and wide that Gertrude’s house was the place to go for a home cooked meal as everything that came out of her kitchen was unmatched. Equally known for her wisdom and quiet ways, Gertrude was a true gift in the lives of those around her in ways too numerous to count.

More than a century has passed since our country greeted the early 1900s. These were years of both great promise and great struggle in America, and the daily life of its citizens would be hardly recognizable to us in our fast-paced technology-driven world. Labor unions continued to be commonplace and with a middle class that was becoming more and more unhappy as workers dealt with unsafe working conditions, underpayment, and a lack of child labor laws, things were in great need of a radical change. It was amidst this struggling time that there was much to celebrate in one young family from Fowler, Michigan, since February 6, 1910 marked the birth of a healthy baby girl in their family. Gertrude was welcomed into the world by her parents, John W. and Caroline (Simon) Rademacher, and was one of seven children in her family including four brothers and two sisters.

Tragedy struck early in young Gertrude’s life when her mother died after childbirth in Gertrude’s sixth grade year. With so many responsibilities that needed to be tended to now, she left school to stay home to help with the household needs including the care of her younger siblings. Gertrude’s father worked as a farmer while she worked as a housekeeper and a seamstress from time to time as well.

New and exciting changes were in store for Gertrude when she met the love of her life. His name was Herman Witgen and they met in Fowler. After getting to know one another and falling deeply in love, the couple was united in marriage on June 22, 1935. The newlyweds settled into a home his father built on the South farm, although they later purchased a farm north of town where they remained throughout the rest of their married life. Herman worked as a farmer and filled in with some odd jobs here and there in order to make ends meet. Together they raised their daughter, Carol, and their five sons, Mark, William, Paul, Luke, and Roy. Gertrude and Herman modeled a wonderful marriage based on mutual love and respect and if there were disagreements between them, they were sure that they never took place in front of their children. Their unwavering faith and church home was the foundation of the Witgen family, and they made sure their family was a priority as well. They got away for the weekend as often as they could to their property on Saddlebag Lake near Sunfield.

There were so many ways that Gertrude made it clear that her family was her main focus. Tending to the needs of her husband and children made her truly happy as she viewed this work as her highest calling. Everything that came out of Gertrude’s kitchen was spectacular as even the hired hands who were in the area for thrashing season knew of her cooking. Among her specialties were her homemade breads and cookies, and her fried fish that usually showcased the fish she caught with her husband had no equal. In addition, Gertrude was a meticulous housekeeper who also paid careful attention to her physical appearance - making sure she always looked her best.

Although there was nothing of greater importance to Gertrude than her family, she was also a woman with many other interests. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and also of the Christian Mothers. Gertrude kept busy doing crossword puzzles and picture puzzles, and she also made many beautiful quilts. When looking for her, Gertrude’s friends and family knew they could often find her in one of her favorite places – her garden.

Throughout her life Gertrude was such an extraordinary woman. She was accompanied throughout her life’s journey by a quiet strength that is to be admired. This strength coupled with unending determination became even more apparent after her beloved husband’s death on February 4, 1990. Gertrude was wise far beyond what her years in formal education were able to teach her as her wisdom came from things that can only be learned by living a life of integrity in tune with the world and the people around her. She was able to maintain charge of her finances well into her nineties. Gertrude loved to make sure her boys were well-fed. In fact, her children learned that if they came to visit her during lunchtime at Hazel Findlay, she would usually try to feed them her entire lunch!

A woman who was content in all things, Gertrude Witgen was a beautiful woman on the inside and out. She considered it pure joy to love the husband and nurture the children she loved more than anything in this world. Gertrude could be a bit reserved when she first met someone new, but once she got to know them she was trusting and committed to make sure they were alright. Although she paid careful attention to her appearance and was concerned with other’s perceptions about her, she always went above and beyond in making sure those around her were cared for in every way. A truly remarkable woman, Gertrude will be deeply missed.

Gertrude J. Witgen died July 7, 2011. Gertrude’s family includes her daughter, Carol Mathers of St. Louis; five sons, Mark (Judy) Witgen of Fowler, William Witgen of Manistee, Paul (Lisa) Witgen of Gaylord, Luke (Lucy) Witgen and Roy (Eileen) Witgen of Fowler; 22 grandchildren; 24 great- grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Gertrude was preceded in death by her 4 brothers and two sisters. Funeral Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler. Burial at Holy Trinity Cemetery will follow with Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. The family will receive friends at the Goerge Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes in Fowler, 7-9 p.m., Sunday with a rosary being prayed at 8, and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday with a rosary being prayed at 3 and vigil at 8. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Holy Trinity Catholic School or Hazel Findlay. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or sign the online guestbook.