Gertrude D. Schletz, 97

Gertrude Dorothy Schletz (Gertie) was born in Ceres, Calif. on Jan. 9, 1921. Her parents were Joseph Perry Mendosa and Mary Enos Mendosa. Gertie was very proud of her Portuguese heritage.

She graduated from Ceres High School and then attended Cosmetology College in Modesto, Calif. She worked as a beautician until 1942. During that time, the U.S. was at war and she decided to support our country; she became a medical transcriber at Hammond General Army Hospital in Modesto. After the war ended, she returned to cosmetology and purchased a beauty shop in Firebaugh, Calif. During this time she met Ray Schletz. They dated four months and married Jan. 25, 1947. They created one son, Joe, who rewarded them with four grandchildren.

After retirement in 1986 they moved to Bigfork, and remained in their home built by their son Joe.

Gertie was active in the Council of Catholic Women of Saint John Paul Catholic Church and the Jazz Society. Ray and Gertie danced for 22 years every Friday and Saturday night at the Bigfork Inn. She was known fondly as the “ankle bracelet lady,” Gertie also loved to garden and faithfully put her geraniums in the garage each night, so the deer would not eat them.

She is survived by their son Joe of Bigfork, grandchildren, Philip of Missoula, Katie Saili (Faiilagi) of North Carolina, Daniel of Thompson Falls, and Annie of Coupeville, Wash. She also was very proud of her two great grandchildren, Niualava and Josefa Saili of North Carolina. She will be greatly missed by her Parish family at Saint John Paul II Catholic Church.

Funeral services for Gertie will be held at Saint John Paul II Catholic Church on Thursday, March 22 at 9 a.m. At 8 a.m. preceding the funeral the rosary will be said. Friends are invited to a brunch in Brady Hall after the Mass.

Donations may be made to the CCW (Council of Catholic Women) of Saint John Paul Catholic Church, Bigfork, Mont.