Gertrude Wurscher
Gertrude M. (Pistulka) Wurscher, age 98, of Redwood Falls, formerly of Seaforth, passed away Monday, October 10, 2011 at the Redwood Area Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth.
Visitation is 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday AT THE CHURCH with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment is in the church cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gertrude M. (Pistulka) Wurscher was born March 7, 1913 in rural Seaforth, the daughter of Anton Sr. and Mary Pistulka. She attended Seaforth school and St. Anne’s Catholic School for grades 7-8 in Wabasso. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth. Music was very important in her family life. Her brothers played multiple instruments and Gertrude played the piano. They formed a band called the Knights of Harmony and played big band dance music at many local town halls. Lawrence Wurscher and Gertrude were married on November 26, 1936 at St. Mary’s in Seaforth. For a few years, they farmed south of Lucan, then moved to California. Soon a draft notice brought them back to Seaforth. Lawrence was not eligible for the service, so he opened a garage and was the mechanic until he retired in 1974. Gertrude had large vegetable and flower gardens. She has sewn many articles of clothing. Making beautiful woven “rag rugs” was her hobby. She was organist for St. Mary’s in Seaforth for over 30 years. Faith and family were most important in her life. Lawrence died on her birthday, March 7, 1996. In late July of 2006, Gertrude moved into an assisted living apartment at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls.
Gertrude is survived by her five children: Donald (Elma) Wurscher of Gassville, AR, Rita (F. David) Bernardy of Tucson, AZ, Dianne (Richard) Eis of Wabasso, MN, Richard (Elaine) Wurscher of Billings, MT, and David (Roxanne) Wurscher of rural Belview, MN. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; sister Dorothy Soupir of Redwood Falls; and sisters-in-law Esther Pistulka of Seaforth and Maxine Pistulka of Redwood Falls. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Lawrence, five brothers Arnold, Tony, Charles, Joe, and Roy, and three sisters Adeline (Pat), Lauretta, and Delores.
