Gertrude ‘Gertie’ Tillman, 89

 

Dec. 3, 1928 —
Jan. 8, 2018
 
Waucoma - Gertrude E. Tillman, age 89 of Waucoma, Iowa, entered into her eternal rest on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma with Rev. Kyle Digmann officiating. Interment will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waucoma. 
Friends may greet the family 4-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. Rosary, followed directly by a parish scripture service. Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home in Waucoma is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences for Gertie’s family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com
Gertrude “Gertie” Elizabeth (Fischbach) Tillman was born on a farm near Alta Vista, Iowa, on Dec. 3, 1928. Her parents were Nicholas and Pauline (Elenz) Fischbach. Her father died in 1938, so Gertie, along with her siblings and mother, moved to the farm of her grandparents, Matthias & Anna Elenz. She attended country school near the Elenz farm and school in North Washington, Iowa. She quit school in ninth grade to help out on the family farm.
Gertie married Marcellus (Marc) Tillman on June 2, 1948, at Immaculate Conception Church in North Washington. They lived in Waucoma, from their marriage until 1953, when they moved to Greene, Iowa, for three years. They returned to their home in Waucoma. Gertie lived in the same house for 63 years.
She was employed as a babysitter for a few years and worked for Sara Lee in New Hampton from 1974-1990. The couple enjoyed time at various lakes, taking bus tour trips, taking driving trips, and making two special trips to her father’s village in Germany. They also liked polka music and dancing. 
Gertie loved playing various card and board games. She excelled in cooking, baking and canning. She was talented in embroidery, quilting and crocheting. She had a special knack for genealogy.
Gertie was a member of St. Mary’s Church of Waucoma and belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters. She was also a 60 year member of the Catholic Daughters of America.
Gertie is survived by two children, Joseph (Claudia) Tillman of Forest City, Iowa and Mary (D.J.) Morris of Waukon; her grandchildren, Marissa (Mike) Flugum, Katie (Adam) Krug, Maggie Tillman, Cindy Garcia (special friend Samuel), Donald Spieker and Ava (Tyler) Cooksley; 11 great-grandchildren, Libbie, Emma and Christian Flugum, Kiera, Brooke and Dawson Krug, Brittania and Samantha Garcia and Avis, Annie and Tucker Cooksley; her brother, Nick (Edna) Fischbach; her brothers-in-law, John (late Betty) Tillman, Bob (Cynthia) Tillman, and Merle (Pam) Tillman; and her sisters-in-law, Alvera (late Marvin) Kleve and Phyllis (late Don) Massman. Extended family includes Alfredo Garcia and Stephanie McCumber. 
Gertie was preceded in death by her husband, Marc; her parents; and her sister, Anna Marie (Edwin) Rasing. 
Online condolences for Gertie’s family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com
Memorials may be directed to the family.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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