Frank Gertz

1923 - 2012

Frank Gertz, 89, of Indio, Calif. passed away peacefully on August, 11, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Willard, Wis., on June 7, 1923, he grew up in a large family with 11 siblings. After many years of working the farm he moved to Chicago where he obtained a job as a union carpenter. He was a lifetime honorary member of the Carpenter's Union for over 70 years. He enlisted in the Navy shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and was placed on the USS Alchiba which delivered supplies to other Navy bases and vessels throughout the South Pacific during WWII. During a shore leave he married Leona Gurtowski in Idaho in March, 1943. After his Navy discharge, they went back to Chicago and raised their four sons. In 1976 they moved to Palm Desert, Calif. where they loved the warmth and beauty of the desert. After 60 years of marriage to Leona, she preceded him in passing. Frank is survived by his four loving sons Roger and wife Eva of Moreno Valley, Calif.; Frank and wife Darlene of Shorewood, Minn.; Gary and wife Helen of Round Lake, Ill.; Brian and wife Margaret of La Quinta, Calif. He was also loved by his 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren and will be dearly missed by all. Services and private interment will be held at a later date.