Gertrude Willhite

OBITUARY Gertrude Emilia Willhite was born on October 5, 1917 on a farm in Springfield, MN. She is the daughter of Ernest and Mary (Renner) Meine and third oldest of eight children born to this marriage. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Springfield. Gertrude attended country school and everyday before school she helped deliver bottled milk to homes with her father using horses. Gertrude was united in marriage to James Jenkins at Zion Lutheran Church in Springfield and together they settled on a dairy farm for many years. She moved her family to another dairy farm near Starbuck, MN in 1954 and worked several other jobs to help support her children. Her last employer was Bethany Home in Alexandria. Gertrude sold her farm to her son Leonard. She then married Donald Willhite on May 26, 1962 at the Barsness Lutheran Church in Glenwood, MN. Together they resided on a farm near Kensington, MN until 1969 when they moved to the Nelson area. Gertrude was a member of Our Saviour?s Lutheran Church in Nelson and volunteered her time to help with church activities. Some of her hobbies included gardening especially her flower gardens, crafting, and crocheting. She also enjoyed fishing, traveling and raising chickens to sell. Gertrude had a special companion named ?Kity? as her pet cat. Gertrude Jenkins Willhite past away at Bethany Home in Alexandria, MN on March 15, 2012 at the age of 94 years old. She is survived by her four children Ernest Jenkins of Springfield, MN; Joan Melchert of Osakis, MN; David Jenkins of Eagle Bend, MN; Jimmy (Virginia) Jenkins of Starbuck, MN; daughter-in-law Helen Jenkins of Starbuck, MN; son-in-law Roger Nelson of Nelson, MN; 16 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 4 step great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren; 1 step great great grandchild; sister Laura Schnobrich; brothers Elmer (Rose) Meine; Walter (Fern) Meine; all of Springfield, MN; sister-in-law Agnes Meine of IL; and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother Edward Meine; sisters Freida Meine, Esther Jenkins, and Rose Rambow; three sons Leonard, Steven, and Donald Jenkins; daughter Jane Nelson; daughters in-law Patricia Jenkins and Donna Jenkins; three grandchildren Harold Melchert, Gary Melchert, and Anthony Jenkins; and three great grandchildren Jenny, Christopher, and Dustin Jenkins. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Our Saviour?s Lutheran Church in Nelson, MN with the Reverend Barbara Lund Thompson officiating. Interment was in the Barsness Lutheran Cemetery in Barsness Township, MN. Casket Bearers were Glenn Melchert, Howard Melchert, Dennis Melchert, Wayne Nelson, Randy Nelson, and Sterling Jenkins. Anderson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. www.andersonfuneral.net