OTTAWA
Gertrude R. Schmitz, 82, died November 8, 2012, at St. Rita’s Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 8, 1930, in Ottoville to the late Theodore and Bernadine Hellman Beining. On May 5, 1951, she married Alvin Schmitz, who died June 1, 1989.
Gertrude is survived by a son, Thomas (Gretchen) Schmitz, of Glandorf; four daughters, Marilyn (Roger) Ellerbrock, of Glandorf, Eileen (Dennis) Vennekotter, of Continental, Diane (Douglas) Deitering, of Glandorf, and Nancy (Gary) Erhart, of Kalida; 16 grandchildren, Michelle (Joel) Rampe, Dana Ellerbrock, Jenna Ellerbrock, Rachel (Jeremy Marx) Schmitz, Josh Schmitz, Andrew Schmitz, Evan Barrett, Kyle (Jessica Brown) Vennekotter, Ryan (Cobin) Vennekotter, Cody Vennekotter, Heather Deitering, Ross Deitering, Benjamin Deitering, Emily Erhart, Matt Erhart and Lindsey Erhart; a brother, Ray Beining, of Delphos; and three sisters, Mary (Herb) Hempfling, of Delphos, Alice Arnzen, of Delphos, and Irene (Joe) Schroeder, of Ottawa.
Preceding her in death are a grandchild, Joseph Schmitz; two sisters, Mildred Beckman and Angela Kimmett; and a brother, Rudy Beining.
Gertrude was a homemaker. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf, were she was a Eucharistic minister, religion teacher for over 30 years and a member of the Altar Rosary Society, Ladies CHIRP and nurtured the flowers in church. She was a volunteer at The Meadows of Ottawa-Glandorf. She was a companion of the Ministries of the Precious Blood. She was very active in Right-to-life, loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending their activities. She was a wonderful caregiver and enjoyed making food for the sick.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf. Father Tony Fortman will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Love Funeral Home, Ottawa, where there will be a parish rosary at 7:30 p.m.
Memorials may be given to the charity of donor’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to www.lovefuneralhome.com.
