Gertrude E. Anderson

Gertrude E. Anderson age 93 of Moorhead, MN passed away on October 16, 2014 at Sanford Health under the gentle care of the staff and her 2 daughters Cindy and Carla. She now rejoices for eternity with Elmer by her side, along with the rest of her family and friends that preceded her.

Gert was born on June 25, 1921 in Sabin, MN the 7th of 10 children to Anna and Carl Brandt. At age 5 the family moved to Watt’s Siding near Glyndon, MN where Gert spent her childhood and early teen years with her loving parents and many siblings. In 1936 the family was dislocated by the Great Depression to Amenia, ND to begin anew. It was there in her sophomore class at Amenia High that she met her classmate and the love of her life Elmer Anderson. Gert and Elmer graduated Amenia High School in 1939. Gert trained as a nurse at St. John’s Hospital graduating as an RN in 1942. Elmer attended Wahpeton State, worked for the State Insurance Commissioner, and then joined the US Army during WWII, proposing to Gert in 1944. They were married August 20, 1944 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fargo, lived in Fargo after the war until 1951 when they moved to Moorhead. To their marriage were born 4 baby boomers Carla, Tom, Cindy and Chuck. Elmer pursued is career at the Western States Life Ins. Co where he retired in 1986 as President, COO, and Member of the Board. Gert worked as an RN while raising the family in Moorhead with the help of Elmer. Gert worked as a private duty nurse and then staff nurse at the VA Hospital until 1974 when she was disabled by a malignancy involving the left femur bone. She bravely confronted her illness with the help of Mayo physicians, and achieved a cure, but was left with multiple complications to the left leg which she endured without complaint for the rest of her life. Gert filled her days with work, cooking for family and friends, caring for her children, and worshiping and celebrating with friends at Grace Lutheran Church, where she and Elmer were lifelong members. Gert and daughter Carla were at the side of husband Elmer, when he passed on September 22, 2010, shortly after Gert and Elmer’s 65th anniversary. Gert moved to the Linden Tree Circle community at Eventide Lutheran Home in 2012, and happily resided there until shortly before her death.

Gertrude is survived by four children Carla (Daryl) Batalden of Dayton, MN; Thomas (Carol) Anderson of Evansville, IN; Cynthia (Bruce) Markey of Scottsdale, AZ; Charles (Heidi) Anderson of Nashville, TN; 14 grand children; 13 great grandchildren; sisters Marjorie Demro of Moorhead, MN and Barbara Schuler of Mentor, Ohio. Gertrude is preceded in death by her husband Elmer, parents Carl and Anna Brandt, and 7 brothers and sisters (Stanley, Charles, Norman, Roland, Rudolph, Helen, and Loretta).

The family would like to thank Pastor David Suelzle and the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church in Fargo. Thank you to Eventide Chaplain Rev. Stephen Streed, the staff and her fellow residents at Linden Tree Circle at Eventide for their love and attention showed toward Mom.. Thank you to her Prayer Group who continued to meet with her at Eventide after she was slowed by her health. Enduring thanks to her neighbor and special care provider, Janine Hanson. Janine allowed Mom to remain independent by ministering to her needs almost daily for the last 4 years.

Memorial contributions may be made to Save The Children or New Life Center, Fargo.