Gertie (Gertrude) Hartman went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at the age of 95. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Gertie was born near Craig, Nebraska to Frank and Allie Simms on April 24, 1921, and lived the last 16 years of her life at Rose Haven in Custer, SD.

Throughout her lifetime Gertie worked a variety of jobs. She was a telephone operator, a nurse's aide, daycare provider, school teacher, and secretary. With her husband she was a dorm parent and worked at a children's home in Alaska.

She will be remembered as being a godly, prayer warrior who loved Jesus with all her heart. Gertie was fun loving, sometimes mischievous, with a great sense of humor. She was never too busy to spend time with her family and friends. She spent many hours putting together puzzles with her grandchildren, helping them with homework, making strawberry jam, baking pinwheel cookies. She loved to prank and tease people, and she love to laugh. Gertie was thankful for everything always. She was an encouragement to everyone, always positive, kind, and gentle. Most important is that many lives have been touched by Gertie's example of one who knew the importance of daily Bible reading and unceasing prayer.

Gertie is survived by two sisters; three sons; Dean, Ted, and Jim, and their wives; nine grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

Gertie is preceded in death by her husband, Ed of 58 years.