Gertrude Alice (Schmidt) Dalke reached out and took the hand of Jesus, and He led her home to Heaven on April 20, 2020 after a courageous battle with dementia. She was 93. Though she no longer recognized us as family and friends, we all knew in her heart she loved each and every one of us deeply and unconditionally. Gertrude was born July 25, 1926, the third of five daughters to Edward and Hulda (Kraft) Schmidt. She was Baptized and Confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda. Gertie met the love of her life, Arnold Dalke, at a basketball game at Bowler High School. After Arnie returned from the service, they were married on June 6, 1953 at Peace Lutheran Church.
After they married, Gertie and Arnie lived for a short time in Milwaukee and Oshkosh, becoming a family, adding two sons, Steven and Gary. The love of the farm life and home in Gresham called them to return and purchase the farm Gertie grew up on. They raised their boys, grandchildren, and a niece with a love and respect for all things farming and all things family.
Mom was an educator at heart. She was kind and soft-spoken, always having time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. Following graduation from Gresham High School, she earned her teaching degree from UW-Stevens Point while raising her family on the farm. She retired after 35 years of teaching first grade in Tilleda and Bowler. She took that love of teaching even further as a 4H leader, a Sunday school teacher, and a kitchen table tutor of her grandchildren and even her great-grandchildren. More important than ABCs and 123s, she taught us all lasting lessons in faith, life, and love. (And how to make her famous angel food cake and chocolate roll!)
Faith was important to Mom. She worshiped the Lord as a lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church serving on Ladies’ Aid, Altar Guild, Funeral Committees, Church Council, and as creator of many beautiful banners and confirmation stoles.
Mom also enjoyed serving the Gresham Legion Auxiliary Post 390. She loved a good game of sheepshead, smear, or rummy with her card clubs. After retirement, she enjoyed feeding and watching the many birds around her yard and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Left to cherish Gertie’s memory are her sons, Steve (Joy) and Gary (Cindy); grandchildren Christel (Brad) Skaer, Chris Dalke, Rachel (Les) Koffski, Amber (Ross) Fischer, Tim Dalke, and Ashley (Drew) Swanson; great-grandchildren Taylor, Nadia, and Carter Skaer; Zoe and Finn Koffski; Addison, Hailey, and Zach Fischer; Brodie, Maddox, and Delaney Swanson; and special niece Jennifer (Brad) Stallsmith. She is further survived by her sister, Edythe Smith; Arnold’s siblings Lucille Pederson and Ralph (Shirley) Dalke, and many other relatives and friends.
Gertie was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Arnold; Arnold’s parents Walter and Bertha Dalke; sisters and brothers-in-law Myrtle Schmidt, Ruth (Irv) Riggle, Dorothy (Francis) Maufort, John Smith, and Merwin Pederson. She was also preceded in death by special family friend, Pearl Weidmann.
Mom will be laid to rest in Peace Church Cemetery in Tilleda following a private family funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.
We would like to extend a Special Thank You to the staff of the Cottages Memory Care in Shawano and Heartland Hospice for their compassion and care of Mom during her stay.
Private family services are being held at Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda with Rev. Lois Graper officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A celebration of Gertrude’s life will be held at a later date. Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
My Children, I Love You
From one who had Alzheimer’s, and yes it was hard.
Just for a moment, let me share from my heart.
Please forgive me for the things I would say.
If I had been well, I would not have been that way.
Although I can’t tell you, I was so glad you were there.
But I knew you were hurting, cause I saw your tears.
I wish I could have told you, what you meant to me.
Could we please go back to what used to be?
But no, we were there, and I’m a stranger it seemed.
Though I wished otherwise it was more than a dream.
Please, just remember, when I was not well,
It’s not really me you saw, it was just my shell.
In spite of the difficult days we’ve been through,
The thing that’s most true my children, I’ll always love you.
(Excerpted from poem by Jerry Ham)
Mom, we know you are watching and listening from Heaven. There’s nothing that we value more than your love. No matter where we are or what we are doing, your memory will always keep us smiling. While we mourn your death, we also celebrate your life, and acknowledge the endless sacrifices you’ve made to keep us happy. We will love and miss you always.
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