Gertrude Gustke

Gertrude (Voss) Gustke Battle Creek Gertrude (Voss) Gustke, age 98, of Battle Creek, died Monday afternoon, June 1, 2009, at the Heartland Health Center, Battle Creek. Gertrude was born on March 30, 1911 in Bay City, MI and was a resident of Battle Creek since 1916. She was the daughter of Henry and Hattie (Ozark) Voss and was a 1929 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Gertrude had been employed at Kellogg's from 1928 to 1935. She was a 1962 graduate of Kellogg Community College School of Practical Nursing and Pharmacology and worked part-time at the Community Hospital for 7 years. Gertrude was a charter member of St, Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church; a former Sunday School teacher for 22 years; a choir member for over 50 years and a member of its women's organizations. She was very active in volunteer work for this community, including monthly visits to both the former Fort Custer State Home and Springhill Nursing Home for over 30 years and for the American Red Cross for 5 years. On August 8, 1935 in Battle Creek, Gertrude was united in marriage to Clarence Gustke, who preceded her in death on October 29, 1977. Surviving is her son: Arthur C. (Carol) Gustke of Battle Creek; her daughter-in-law, Mary Gustke of Chicago, IL; nine grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Henry Gustke; two grandsons, Mark and Matthew Gustke and by her sister, Marie Myers. At the request of her family, the funeral service to celebrate Gertrude's life will be held on Thursday, June 4th at 10:30 am at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 349 Capital Avenue, NE, Battle Creek, with the Rev. Gary L. Siefert, Pastor, officiating. Friends may call at the Church on Thursday from 10:00 am until service time. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek. Memorial contributions in Gertrude's honor may be made to the Calhoun County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 615 Cliff Street, Battle Creek, MI, 49014 or to the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Improvement Fund. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek is in charge of all the arrangements. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com