Gertrude Holton

Gertrude "Gert" Holton, 86 year old resident of Staples, MN passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Motley, MN with Father Gabriel Walz officiating. Burial will take place in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Motley, MN. Caring for Gertrude and her family is the Taylor Funeral Home in Staples, MN.

Gertrude was born on December 25th, 1936, on a farm in Grey Eagle, MN and lived there with her family until 1946. She then moved with her family to Melrose where she attended school. In 1955 she moved to Saint Paul, MN where she met her husband, Elmer. On May 26th, 1956, they were married and raised their family in Woodbury. In 1975 they moved to their home on the Crow Wing River near Motley where she regularly attended and was involved with St. Michael’s Catholic Church. In retirement she and Elmer spent the winters in Yuma, AZ where they enjoyed many activities and friends there. She enjoyed growing vegetable and flower gardens, long walks, travel, playing cards and visiting family.

Gertrude is survived by daughters, Roxann Kowalski of Staples, MN and Sandy (Greg) Grondahl of Brainerd, MN; son Michael Holton of New York; grandchildren, Anthony Grondahl, Melissa Grondahl, Jessica Strege, Dean Blanchard Jr., and Krista Kowalski; and great-grandchildren, Caelyn, Kurt, Colton, Emma and Ryder.

She was preceded in death by parents, George and Cathrine (Blum) Gangl; husband, Elmer Holton and siblings, Wilfred, Raymond, Robert, Edmund, Regina, Agnes, Hildegard, Delores and Roselyn.