Gertrude Julia St. Onge, 86

Gertrude Julia St. Onge, 86, a longtime Whitefish resident, died of natural causes Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

She was born Feb. 28, 1920, in Hammond, Ind., the daughter of Steve and Alice Panko. She lived in Michigan until 1948.

She married Roy Daniel St. Onge on June 14, 1939, and the couple had four children, and in 1948 came to a ranch in Trego, and then came to Whitefish from 1961 to 1999.

Gertrude enjoyed sewing and traveling, and was involved in clubs and organizations in her community. She was a member of the Catholic Church.

After the death of her husband, Roy, in 1979, she worked at Alpine Touch.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy; and a son, Larry St. Onge, in 1982.

She is survived by two sons, Ron and Carolyn St. Onge in Bigfork, and Ed and Ginger St. Onge in Polebridge; a daughter, Betty Ann and Lowell McKee in Spokane; 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; and by many other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, also at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ron Pierce officiating. Burial will be afterward at the Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kalispell.

The family suggest that any memorials be made to the Brantsberg Wing of the Immanuel Lutheran Home.