Gertrude Mae HARVEY

MERRIFIELD, Gertrude Mae 2008-02-05 Mrs. Gertrude Mae Merrifield, age 87 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away in St. Joseph‘s Hospital, on February 2, 2008. She was born in Niagara Falls, New York on November 15, 1920 and married her husband Orval on December 25, 1940. Gertrude had worked at various jobs doing food preparation. She was one of the first in the area to develop a small business planting, harvesting and selling strawberries. Gertrude was always interested in art work and silk screening was just one her interests. She also enjoyed singing, playing the guitar and organ. Gertrude was a passionate reader and was particularly interested in religious history. She had a fondness for animals especially horses. Gertrude is survived by her daughter Kathleen (Sulo) Koivu and family, sons Donald and Edward, sisters Mae Martin, Verna Stevenson, Reta Johnson, brother Bill Russell, grandchildren Justin (Deanna), Jason, Joel, Jennifier, Sarah, David and Mark, great grandchildren Meghan, Sara, Rebecca, Chloe, Ethan, Deneen and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Charles Harvey and Catherine Russell, her husband Orval in 1986, sister Geraldine Stewart and brother Charles Russell. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 8, 2008 in Hilldale Lutheran Church at 11:00 am officiated by Rev. Arleen Berg. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 7, 2008 from 6:00 – 8:00pm in the Blake Funeral Chapel. If friends desire, memorials to the Hilldale Lutheran Church Youth Group or the Lutheran Community Care “Street Reach Ministry” would be appreciated. A tree will be planted in memory of Gertrude Merrifield in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 28, 2009.