Gertrude A. Elmblad
May 16, 1920 — July 17, 2007
Gertrude A. Elmblad, 87, of Rochester, Minnesota, formerly of Skanee, passed away, Tuesday morning, July 17, 2007, at her home following a lengthy illness.
She was born May 16, 1920, in Aura, MI, a daughter of the late Matt and Sophia (Haapalehto) Toyras. She had been a resident of the Skanee area for most of her life. She had moved to Rochester to reside with her daughter the last 10 years.
In December 1960 she married Kermit Elmblad and he preceded her in death in 1988.
Gertrude was employed for several years as a cook with Winkler's Nursing Home in L'Anse and retired in 1988.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee and the WELCA ladies group. Gertrude enjoyed playing cards, trips to the casino, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her sons, Clifford (Dorothy) Nankervis of Skanee, Philip (Barb) Nankervis of Skanee and James Nankervis of Ishpeming; daughters, Jane Elmblad of L'Anse, Rita (Roger) Erickson of Rochester, MN; step-daughters, Cathy Elmblad of Houghton, Gretchen (Nate) Taylor of The Villages, FL and Joan (Caleb) Atwood of Houston, TX; 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; siblings, Signe Koski of Aura, Sylvia Nelson of Skanee, Helvi Gornac of L'Anse, Matt (Rose Jean) Toyras of Aura and Helmer ( Pearl) Toyras of Aura; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by 2 infant daughters; a granddaughter, Debbie Nankervis; sisters, Helga Fransiscovich, Hulda Kokko, Hilda Saari and Siiri Ollila and a son-in-law, Fred Elmblad.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 11 a.m. in Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee with Pastor Judy Mattson officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment will be in the Skanee Cemetery.
The Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse is assisting the family.