Gertrude Schaefer Miller's Obituary
Proverbs 31:10 states, a virtuous woman is hard to find. However, a good woman was found in Gertrude Schaefer Miller who died on December 27th of COVID complications after spending almost 103 years doing good for others. She was born to Henry and Alvino (Weiss) Schaefer on February 2nd, 1918 in Sherwood Wisconsin. Her family included a brother Richard and a sister Dolores.
On September 2nd, 1940, she married Norman Miller in Sherwood, Wisconsin. They were married for 64 years until Norm's passing in 2004. Gert received her education at Sacred Heart Elementary School, Sherwood, St. Mary's High School, Menasha, and the Oshkosh Business College. For 18 years she was employed as the Secretary to the President at the Universal Foundry, Oshkosh.
Always desiring to be of service, Gert volunteered for 20 years as a driver for the Winnebago County Department of Social Services and in later years, the American Red Cross. For these services she received an award of recognition from ARC. Gert helped to found the Central Wisconsin Gun Collectors Association, a nonprofit organization where she served as a secretary treasurer for 20 years. In 2004 she became the director of the club serving in that capacity until 2014. When Gert was not doing volunteer work she enjoyed gardening and playing bridge. Bridge, along with her many social connections kept her very savvy and alert. Less than 12 hours before she passed she was having a great window visit conversation and opening Christmas gifts with two of her friends. Her incredibly healthy lifestyle, especially her blueberries and walnuts on her cereal at breakfast, helped her live a long productive life. Her joy of living, incredible desire to help others, and never-lapsing faith sustained her through life's ups and downs.
Preceding Gert in death were her parents, her husband Norm, her brother Richard and spouse Arlys, her sister Dolores and spouse Howard, two nieces Ina Chapman and Mary Margaret Fullerton, and a nephew Marty Fullerton. Surviving Gert are seven nephews Steve, Ken, Kerry (Beth), and Jeff Schaefer, Robert (Barbara) and Alex (Sue) Fullerton, and Larry (Betsey) Miller, two nieces Gertrude (Mike) Neufeldt, and Carole Tyers, and two grand nieces Jodie Miller and Darcie (Ron) Shipka.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Blessed Sacrament (St. Peter's Catholic Church) on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Jerome Pastors officiating. A live stream will be available at the time of the service on the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish website. You can find this under "Live Streamed Masses," then click on "click here for live stream" or follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp56W7V8nMBpQQmon3gK4kg/live
Interment will be at Lake View Memorial Park.
Gert was a faithful member of Saint Peter's Church for 84 years and wishes that any memorials in her honor be given to the church.
A special thank you to her lifetime friend Dee Walter for all her help and advocacy in her later years. And thank you to all of her friends through the years, to the staff at Waterford - Oshkosh, and to the very caring folks at Whispering Pines - Ripon where she spent her final months.
"I shall pass through this world once, if therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, let me do it now - for I shall not pass this way again."
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