Gertrude “Gert” Johnson, 104, was reunited with her husband Milt on September 24, 2021, passing peacefully at home with family.
Gertrude Bertha Albertina Lasch was born December 14, 1916, in Duluth, the second child of Herb and Alvina (Handschke) Lasch. The family lived on Park Point at the time before moving to West Duluth where she attended Denfeld High School. She worked as a salesperson and a “tufter” at Klearflax Linen Looms where she and Milt began as a couple, marrying on September 22, 1939. From then on Gert was a homemaker, mother, and grandmother. Gert and their first daughter, Judy, moved back home when Milt served the US Navy during WWII, and welcomed their second daughter Kathy following Milt’s return. Around 1956 the family moved to the house on Grand Avenue, across from Wheeler Field that we all remember.
Gert was always around extended family, aunts and uncles when she was young, visiting many cousins in New London, Wisconsin both with her folks and later with her family, Milt’s siblings in their neighborhood, and with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren in her later years.
After Milt’s passing her granddaughter Joanne and her family welcomed Gert into their home to make it hers. It has been an incredible gift from Joanne, Dayle and Samantha to Gert and the rest of us that she had a comfortable and loving environment to watch the Minnesota Twins, eat chocolate, and enjoy her furry footwarmer.
Gert was preceded by her husband, Milt; sister, Ruth; and brothers, Herb and Lloyd.
Gert is survived by her daughters, Judy (Jim) Grytdahl and Kathy (Skip) Winkler; grandchildren, Herb (Teri) Skoog, Joanne (Dayle) Leland, Mike (Lisa) Robertson, Ryan (Kammi) Grytdahl and John (Oni) Grytdahl, as well as Angela Robertson; 6 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Private family service to be held at a later date.
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