ELRENE GERTSON obituary

HAVRE - Elrene Gertson, 84, of Havre died of natural causes on Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, at Valley Health Center in Billings, surrounded by her loved ones.

A funeral service will be conducted Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. Interment will immediately follow at Highland Cemetery in Havre.

Elrene was born in Graceville, Minn., on Aug. 24, 1921.

She married Harold Bertelsen in 1940 in Wheaton, Minn. Elrene and Harold moved to Havre in 1949 and divorced in 1963.

Elrene was employed by F.A. Buttrey for several years and retired from F.W. Woolworth after a long career.

In 1970, she married Walter Gertson. They resided in Havre until 2001, when health reasons moved them to Billings where she chose to remain to be close to her daughter Jan and family.

Elrene and Wally enjoyed many activities, such as fishing and camping. They loved to travel and spent many holidays in California with her daughter Marlene and family. She was an expert in crocheting and won many ribbons at the Hill County Fair. She was a member of Havre Eagles Lodge.

She was preceded in death by her husband “Wally”; and parents, Bill and Tillie Schable.

Survivors include her daughters, Janice (Jim) Gameon of Billings, Marlene (Ken) Hanning of Cupertino, Calif., and Havre; stepdaughter, Alana (John) Blankenship of Chinook; brother-in-law, Bob Gertson of Loma; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be given in Elrene's name to Peace Lutheran Church, 1301 Ave. D, Billings, MT 59102.