Gertrude Riggle

FOREST CITY - Gertrude Riggle, age 92 of Forest City, died Saturday, June 21, 2008 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.



Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 10:30 AM at Calvary Baptist Church in Forest City with Pastor Douglas Farrell officiating. Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in rural Forest City.



Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, June 24 at Calvary Baptist Church in Forest City and continued an hour prior to service at the church.



Gertrude Riggle was born on November 5, 1915 on a farm in Hancock County, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Mertie (Pannkuk) Hinders. She received her education in rural school near her home.





She was united in marriage to Milo Holcomb on May 28, 1938. The couple made their home in Forest City. Milo was killed in action during WW II. Gertrude remained in Forest City and began working at Forest City Produce. On June 28, 1946 she married Clifford Riggle. The couple farmed in the Forest City area for many years.





In 1966 Gertrude opened ìGertís Fabric Shopî in Forest City. She owned and operated the store until selling to Doris Nordskog in the mid 1970ís. She and Clifford retired from farming and moved into Forest City in 1981.





Gert was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church, involved in AWANAS, Mission Circle and Sewing Circle. She loved to sew and made numerous quilts for family and friends and people all over the world. Gert enjoyed gardening and raising flowers.





She is survived by her daughters: Bonna Rae Ruby (Gerald) of Leland and Norma Gaulke (Don) of Apache Junction, AZ. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Brad Ruby and wife Teresa of Leland; Cal Ruby and wife Lisa of Leland; Bruce Smidt and wife Mindy of Phoenix, AZ; Karman Cook and husband Robert of Britt; Susan Yaunk and husband John of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Mark Redman and wife Mary of Sarcoxie, MO; Jim Redman of Idaho. Also, two step-grandchildren: Kim Ott and husband Robert of Clarion, and Kurt Gaulke and wife Kelly of Shawnee, KS, fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter and one great-great-grandson. A sister, Mertie George of Algona, two brothers, Herman (Marion) Hinders of Worthington, MN, Alvin (Joann) Hinders of Chimney Rock, NC and many nieces and nephews.





Gert was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Milo and Clifford, daughter Yvonne Redman and five brothers, Martin, Ben, Tommy, Ted and Milton.