Feb. 3, 1921-Feb. 8, 2006
Gertrude "Gert" E. Reynolds, 85, of rural Nevis, Minn., passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at St. Joseph's Area Health Services in Park Rapids.
Gertrude Evelyn Hewitt was born to Colby and Louise (Redepenning) Hewitt on Feb. 3, 1921 in Dorset, Minn., where Gert attended school through the eighth grade. She went on to attend Park Rapids High School, graduating with the class of 1939. During her teen years, Gert was active in Walter League at the First English Lutheran Church in Dorset, and also worked for her father at the Farmer State Bank in Dorset. On April 2, 1939, Gert married Orvin "Orv" Reynolds of Park Rapids at First English Lutheran Church in Dorset. This union was blessed with six children: Wayne, Charles, Kenny, Judy, Linda, and Nancy.
Orv and Gert made their home in Park Rapids until 1954, when they moved to Bloomington, Minn. Gert made a warm, supportive and loving home for her growing family. She took great joy in being a mother, and by her love and example instilled strong Christian values in her children. In 1983, Gert and Orv built a retirement home on Boulder Lake near Nevis.
Gert had an unwavering faith in the Lord and was an active member of First English Lutheran Church in Dorset, where she was involved with the church quilting club and LWML. While in Bloomington, she had the privilege of being a children's leader in Bible study fellowship. Gert was gifted with creativity. She was an excellent seamstress who made clothing for her family and wedding dresses for two of her daughters. She also enjoyed gardening, and could be found tending to her flowers and vegetables on sunny summer mornings. She liked playing bridge, golfing and also enjoyed square dancing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Making new friends and nurturing lifelong friendships was always important to Gert. Above all, she enjoyed being a wife, mother, and grandmother and was a source of unconditional love and encouragement to all who knew her.
Gert will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 67 years, Orv Reynolds of rural Nevis; six children, Wayne (Judy) Reynolds of Monticello, Minn., Charles (Marlene) Reynolds of Detroit Lakes, Kenneth Reynolds of Dallas, Texas, Judy (Charles) Phillips of rural Nevis, Linda (Richard) Remiger of Apple Valley, Minn., and Nancy Reynolds of Woodbury, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; her brother, Leigh (Abby) Hewitt of Bloomington, Minn.; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many special friends.
Preceding Gert in death were her parents; her brother, Gordon Hewitt; and her sister, Betty Weatherbee.
Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 13, at First English Lutheran Church in Dorset, with the Rev. Chris Davis officiating. Casketbearers were Gert's grandchildren, Shelly Zierdt, Jim Reynolds, Kris Coffin, Dave Reynolds, Kathy Thielen, Brenda Stansbury, Jeffrey Phillips, Daniel Phillips, Wendy Rasmussen and Scott Remiger. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids.
Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, was entrusted with arrangements.
