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September 11, 1942 - April 18, 2026

Gertrude passed away at the Espanola Long Term Care on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the age of 83. Predeceased by her beloved husband and life partner in everything, Evan. Loved by her children: Bill (Cindy predeceased), Pat (Don Ryan), Bob (predeceased) (Faye), Gloria (Gord Byers) and Willie Haner (wife Bonnie). Proud grandmother of Kara (Kristopher Lassman), Rick (Stacy), Calvin (Stephanie), Brad Ryan (Rebecca), Jocelyn (Ryan Bax), Michelle (Jamie Hardy), Heidi (Jackson Downing), Tony (Miranda), Rachelle (Steven Page), Darla, Clay, Jill, Carl and Cord Dickson. Cherished great-grandmother of 29. Dear sister of Frank (Eva), Nancy (Dale Sagle), Charlie and Susan. Predeceased by Bill (Marion), Marilyn and Mary. Raised in Burpee, Manitoulin, second oldest in the family, she grew to be feisty and loyal. She loved to tell about being the fastest runner on the Manitoulin, and we teased her that is how she caught Dad.  Married young, and became a mother young, she was not afraid of hard work or challenges.  Dad kept her busy with both. Until about 40, she lived on the farm on LaCloche Lake Road, Massey. Mom did the day-to-day operations, as dad worked out. Buying a logging licence (Morrell Logging) and having problems with drivers, mom rose to the challenge and proved that she was a capable and competent log truck driver.  Mom thrived in a man’s world, able to operate any piece of logging equipment. In her mid 50s life changed again, and she took up another new career, joining  Gloria in running Island Funeral Home.  Learning the frustrating computer,  funerals, cemeteries, new language and a totally different skill set; she loved working with people, reconnecting with old friends, and making new, she wasn’t afraid of gruelling road trips, on tight time frames, in and out of hospitals that she had never saw before, situations that others could not handle, mom just knuckled down. Mom was a strong-minded woman, yet Dad was the decision-maker.  Mom didn’t always agree but she would willingly go along, with a lot of guff and grinding dads gears. When mom’s life is considered as a whole, her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She would frequently tell us in a joking manner, that if she had known grandchildren were so wonderful, she would have skipped kids. In essence a simple woman, we will remember and love her for  her faith in God, reading her Bible and praying, flowers (indoor and out), all day berry picking, filling multiple buckets to the brim, preserving and freezing fruit, knitting socks and mitts in the wildest colours, making puzzles, playing scrabble, being mischievous and bratty, giving bear hugs, making crazy  sound effects (growls and roars), sneaking and scaring and her eardrum piercing whistle. We will never forget her scowl and pursed lips. Services will be held at Espanola Legion. Visitation on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 5 - 8 pm. Funeral on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11 am. Burial in Grandview Cemetery, Massey. Arrangements with Bourcier Funeral Home.