Gertrude Schlachtenhaufen

Gertrude Martha Roberta Schlachtenhaufen February 10, 1911 - December 15, 2008 Gert lived life full of love, joy, and grace for 97 years, 10 months, and 5 days. She died peacefully in her Vancouver, Washington home on Monday, December 15, 2008. Gert was born in Granton, Wisconsin, the daughter of Rev. Jacob and Amanda Reiff and one of four children. In 1933 she married Rev. Ervin Schlachtenhaufen. They served in parishes in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and continued their Christian ministry as long as they lived. Gert was a registered nurse and served in hospitals, nursing homes, and AODA units until age 79, and was the family nurse until her last day. She was a member of Grace Lutheran in Tomahawk from 1973 to 1997. In recent years she was an active member of Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Vancouver, Washington, where she was a Sunday School volunteer, quilter, and office volunteer. Gert was a dear friend of hundreds around the world. She was a woman of deep faith, an avid reader and word searcher, wonderful cook and baker, keen humorist, excellent historian and Green Bay Packer fan. Her legacy as a loving, humble servant of God will continue to inform and inspire all who were touched by her. Gert was in regular communication with her many family members, relatives, and friends. In 1965 Gert and Erv purchased lake property in northern Wisconsin and over the years developed the Deer Point Family Center where their entire family gathers every August. She is deeply loved by her six children and their spouses, thirteen grandchildren and their spouses, and eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Ervin, sister Charlotte, brothers Ed and Gerhard. She is survived by daughter Sally (Rev. Joe Aalbue), sons Paul (Pam), John (Sally), Joel (Susan), Dan (Stephanee), Roy (Laurie); grandchildren Jeff (Susan), Tom (Cynthia), Amy (Tom), Jamie, Stephen, Andrew, Megan (Jay), Amy (Zac), Brooke, Megan (Jake), Michael, David, Joey; great grandchildren Helen, John, Will, Lucy, Anna, Jack, Katherine, Amanda, Meg, Will, and Hazel Gertie. She is further survived by sister-in-law, Gladys, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. The funeral service was held at Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Vancouver, Washington on Saturday, December 20, 2008. Burial will be on Saturday, April 25, 2009 in Greenwood Cemetery, Tomahawk, preceded by a service at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 108 W. Somo Ave., Tomahawk, WI. A lunch will be served at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has encouraged memorial gifts to the "Ervin and Gertrude Schlachtenhaufen Mission Fund" or another ministry of choice. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24