Gertrude Perlinger

Gertrude R. "Gerty" Perlinger, age 96, of Grey Eagle, passed away peacefully Friday, July 19, 2013 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Sauk Centre.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at the United Methodist Church in Grey Eagle. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Grey Eagle.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church in Grey Eagle.

Gertrude Ruby Meagher was born July 16, 1917 in Grey Eagle Township, Todd County, Minnesota to Lawrence and Margaret (Montzka) Meagher. On October 17, 1939 she married Leander Perlinger in Long Prairie, Minnesota. The couple owned and operated the Red Rooster Tavern in Grey Eagle. Gerty worked at the drugstore in Grey Eagle for five years. The owner of the drugstore loaned money to Lee and Gerty so they could buy their first house in Grey Eagle. Gerty also worked at Fuller's Grocery in Grey Eagle for one year where part of her responsibilities was to candle eggs. Gerty and Lee moved to Minneapolis for a short time before returning to Grey Eagle to help Gerty's dad during threshing season. From there the couple moved to St. Cloud. With World War II approaching, the couple went to school in Staples and took a six week course with Northwest Airlines learning how to weld aluminum, rivet metal, and do sheet metal work. After their training, they were transferred to Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis. Gerty was an oxygen inspector and worked on Big Bomber Airplanes until 1945. The couple then purchased and Gerty managed the Dupont Apartment Buildings in Minneapolis. They then moved to Osseo where they purchased a retail store naming it Gerty's Gifts and Hobbies. They sold new and used furniture, gifts, hobby materials, and Gerty's handmade goods such as doilies and towels while living above it. Lee died May 31, 1971 at the age of 57 years. Gerty kept the store for a few more years, owning it for a total of seven years, before selling it and began working for Bob Evan's Gift Shop in Osseo for 14 years. While living in the cities, Gerty had a knitting machine and made baby clothes, caps, scarves, afghans, sweaters, and crocheted top towels. She sold these items at craft sales in the area. Gerty retired in 1990 and returned to Grey Eagle. For three years Gerty organized and managed craft fairs on the streets of Grey Eagle for the Lions Club. To stay busy, Gerty worked at Hart Press Office in Grey Eagle for one year and then part time as an office assistant at the Grey Eagle Elementary School for 11 years. She finally retired from her last job at the age of 88 years. Throughout the years being back in Grey Eagle, Gerty took many vacation trips with her brother, Bob and his wife, Erma to Florida, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. Gerty had resided at CentraCare Health Nursing Home since December of 2011.

Gerty was a member of United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women in Grey Eagle.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Erma Meagher of Grey Eagle.

Gerty was preceded in death by parents; husband, Leander Perlinger; brothers, Arthur and Robert Meagher and infant brother, Leo; and niece, Char Meagher.

Serving as casket bearers will be Mike Meagher, Brad Meagher, Jerry Clay, Al Hoffman, Tom Roe, and Bill Berscheit.