Obituary of Gertrude Ziemke

Gertrude V. Ziemke, 86, of Berrien Center, passed away on Sunday morning August 30, 2009, following an extended illness. She was born on July 13, 1923, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late Eugene and Katherine (Kowalski) Schreiber. On April 10, 1944, Gertrude married Henry S. Ziemke at a ceremony in St. Joseph, Michigan. They resided for many years in the Sister Lakes area before retiring to Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Henry S. Ziemke, in 1996, her brother, Eugene Schreiber, and daughter-in-law, Patsy Ziemke. Gertrude is survived by a daughter, Katherine "Kathi" (Roger) Skorupski of Grand Haven, Michigan, three sons, Henry "Hank" A. (Mary) Ziemke of Dowagiac, James "Jim" Ziemke of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and Thomas "Tom" (Debbie) Ziemke of Benton Harbor, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Madeline Walendzik of Petoskey, Michigan, Margaret (Phil) Leonarduzzi of Iron River, Michigan, a brother, Larry Schreiber, of St. Joseph, and a dear friend, Bill Shaffer, of St. Joseph. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 4, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church Street, St. Joseph, Michigan. A private family interment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph.