March 7, 1913-Oct. 10, 2011
REDWOOD FALLS - Mass of Christian Burial for Gertrude M. (Pistulka) Wurscher, 98, of Redwood Falls, formerly of Seaforth, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaforth. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. today at the church with a prayer service at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial is in the church cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service - Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
She died Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at the Redwood Area Hospital.
Gertrude M. (Pistulka) Wurscher was born March 7, 1913, in rural Seaforth, the daughter of Anton Sr. and Mary Pistulka. She attended Seaforth school and St. Anne's Catholic School for grades 7-8 in Wabasso. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaforth. Music was very important in her family life. Her brothers played multiple instruments and Gertrude played the piano. They formed a band called the Knights of Harmony and played big band dance music at many local town halls. Lawrence Wurscher and Gertrude were married on Nov. 26, 1936, at St. Mary's in Seaforth. For a few years, they farmed south of Lucan, then moved to California. Soon a draft notice brought them back to Seaforth. Lawrence was not eligible for the service, so he opened a garage and was the mechanic until he retired in 1974. Gertrude had large vegetable and flower gardens. She has sewn many articles of clothing. Making beautiful woven "rag rugs" was her hobby. She was organist for St. Mary's in Seaforth for over 30 years. Faith and family were most important in her life. Lawrence died on her birthday, March 7, 1996. In late July of 2006, Gertrude moved into an assisted living apartment at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls.
Gertrude is survived by her five children: Donald (and Elma) Wurscher of Gassville, Ark., Rita (and F. David) Bernardy of Tucson, Ariz., Dianne (and Richard) Eis of Wabasso, Richard (and Elaine) Wurscher of Billings, Mont., and David (and Roxanne) Wurscher of rural Belview; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; sister Dorothy Soupir of Redwood Falls; and sisters-in-law Esther Pistulka of Seaforth and Maxine Pistulka of Redwood Falls.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Lawrence, five brothers Arnold, Tony, Charles, Joe, and Roy, and three sisters Adeline (Pat), Lauretta, and Delores.
Blessed be her memory.
