Gertrude Davidson

Gertrude L. “Gertie” Davidson, 95, of St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, August 18, 2008 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with Rev. William Bertsch officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Peters Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Gertie was born March 6, 1913 in St. Joseph to Frederick & Augusta (Dorow) Dumdie. She was a life-long resident of St. Joseph. Gertie was known as “The Lady on the Beach”, as she lived at the entrance to Silver Beach until just recently. She enjoyed people stopping by to visit as she sat on her front porch, reading the newspaper and watching the activities of the area. Gertie was employed as a cook at the Whirlpool Ad Building for fifteen years, and was a member of St. Peters Church. Gertie is survived by her grandson Brian Bertien of Burtonsville, MD; several step-children; four nephews including Steve Piehl of Midland, MI; and special friends Betsy Reif of St. Joseph, and Doris Kasewurm of Stevensville. Gertie was preceded in death by her first husband James “Bud” Davidson in 1946, her second husband James Davidson in 1969, her daughter Joan Carol Bertien in 1978, by two brothers Arthur & Alfred Dumdie, and by two sisters-Annie Dumdie & Irmgard Piehl.