Gertrude Esther Schmaltz

Gertrude Esther Schmaltz, 89, formerly of Benton Harbor, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, May 02, 2008 at Country Manor Care Center in Bridgman. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. Paul A. Koehneke & Rev. Franz J. Brandenburg officiating. Friends may call beginning at 10:00 A.M. Friday at the church. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Gertie was born January 7, 1919 in St. Joseph to Albert & Louise (Burandt) Runge. In June of 1940, she married Paul O. Schmaltz. She was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church and in her younger years, worked at Williams Bros. Box Factory. She was a homemaker whose hobbies included crocheting & keep her family supplied with comfy homemade quilts. Gertie was a great cook & baker and always made delicious Holiday meals. She was known for her scrumptious German Potato Salad. Gertie is survived by her daughter Judy (Ronald) Wilson; grandchildren-Rhonda Wilson-Strasser (Dustin) and their children Paul & Anna, Shelley Willson, D.D.S., Jason (Katrina) Schaefer and their children Owen & Emma, Jeremy (Erica) Schaefer, Kristen (Jamie) Shindeldecker and their son Tyler; one sister-in-law-Darlene “Aunt Tag” Wutzke; several nieces & nephews; a special friend Aileen Nimtz; and caregivers Debra & Richard Ruff. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul in February of 1987, her daughter Phyllis Schaefer in April of 2001, her parents, & brothers Martin, Chester, Walter & Raymond Runge. Now Mom, you will be going home to take care of your little “Benji”.