Gertrud Else Marten

Gertrud Else Marten passed away April 23 at French Manor nursing home in the
presence of her husband and loving caregivers, just days shy of her 93rd
birthday.

Gertrud was the third of five children born to Otto and Magda Chmilewski on
May 8, 1922 in Hamburg, Germany. She grew up during WWII and up until two
years ago she continued to call her best friend from grade school each May
as they shared a birth month.

Following the war, Gerti traveled to Canada to learn the nursing profession.
She worked in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, before ending up in Windsor,
Ontario. It is there that she met her future husband, Hans, while attending a
German dance. They married 10 months later and lived in Plymouth, Michigan,
in a house built by Hans. In 1964, they were blessed with the birth of their
only child, Anna.

The family moved north to God's country, Traverse City, in 1968. In addition
to helping her husband in the building trade, Gerti prided herself with
being a devoted mother. A not so fond memory for her daughter was the
45-minute timer that was set many days after school to do what she felt was
"required" reading. Looking back, it turned out to be a worthwhile task.

Gerti returned to nursing in1975 in order to help the family finances after
a brief setback due to a work-related injury Hans had suffered. She enjoyed
it so much that she returned again (after a brief leave of absence) before
finally retiring in 1988 from Munson Medical Center.

The big city girl became an accidental farm girl after her husband and
daughter talked her into moving to a farm in 1978 to help house the family's
three horses that had been acquired along the way. Although never becoming a
horse gal, she was known to strategically place flakes of hay in the yard to
corral the occasional breakout. Gerti also took her horse show mom duties
seriously making sure all clothes where cleaned and ready to go for what was
sure to be the next win. And best of all, there was always a fresh pound
cake at the ready to take along. It was a special treat if you were the
fortunate one who landed that special slice of pound cake with the large
piece of vanilla bean.

In retirement, Gerti became a horse show wife and accompanied Hans to
numerous shows throughout the region, making sure his bow tie was just right
and his boots always shined.

As a proud German, she also worked with others in the late 80's to organize
a group of local Germans to meet for dinner monthly. As a testament to
lasting friendships, that group continues to meet today.

She was right at home during the last years living at French Manor where she
looked forward to bingo and rummy cube games, as well as Friday music
sing-alongs with Bill Morse. At meal time she would be frequently spoiled by
staff with that extra cookie she never could pass up. The halls there will
be silent as she will no longer be rolling around amusing others with
her clapping and humming.

Gertrud is survived by her husband Hans and daughter Anna, as well as her
granddog Maggie, who loved spending days with her.

The family would like to thank all the loving staff at French Manor for
helping to make lasting memories. Special thanks as well go to Dr. Elliot and Dr. Zachman and the tremendous staff of both Munson and Hospice of Michigan for their support during the last weeks of her life.

Friends are welcomed to visit Gertrud's with family on Sunday, April 26 2015 from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
at Reynolds-Jonkhoff funeral Home in Traverse City.

In lieu of flowers, Gerti's family asks that donations be made to a charity
close to your heart.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation services.