Gertrude Mahlum
Gertrude Mahlum died peacefully at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point on Sunday, February 1, 2009. She went knowing everything she had done in her life up to this day, had prepared her for this moment to join her Father.
Born Gertrude Caroline Kjono at home on a farm outside Rothsay, Minnesota on September 1, 1923, her life was defined by her great love of family and friends, humor, and a deep and sustaining Christian faith. Being of Norwegian stock and also having her early years coincide with the Great Depression, made her strong, self-reliant, and never one to waste either time or things. Throughout her life she cooked, canned, mended, sewed and kept a beautiful home. Mom was an excellent seamstress, making lots of clothes for her daughters, as well as costumes and crafts. During our school years, Halloween was home-made costumes and Christmas was home-made crafts and cookies for the teachers.
Gertrude came to Wolf Point in 1941, where her sisters Mollie and Eunice lived, to help Mollie with her young children. She never left and came to love northeastern Montana as her home. While serving as attendants in friends’ wedding, she met Douglas Mahlum and they married June 12, 1949. While Douglas pursued a career, Gertrude maintained a loving, nurturing, and definitely efficient home for her husband and five children. Life on Johnson Street was busy, full of activities, with Mom having her fingers into everything.
Although widowed at a young age, Mom continued to make her children the focus of her life and we have no doubt she is now joyously reunited with Dad.
Many people remembered Gertrude from her years working at JC Penney’s and Rathert’s Furniture. She made the most of retirement, organizing family reunions, sightseeing trips, and lots of activities with her girlfriends. They had many laughs and excursions, particularly to Medora and to the Hostfest in Minot. She loved to play cards at large family gatherings or get-togethers with friends.
Although Gertrude declined these last few years from Parkinson’s disease, her spirit and sense of humor remained. This past year she was tended to by the loyal caregivers of Faith Lutheran Home, to whom her family is very grateful.
She is survived by children Dean (Marlene) Mahlum of Wolf Point, Joann (Mark) Bieber of Bowdle, SD, Susan (Ralph) Ferguson of El Paso, AR, Marcy (Dan) McLean of Helena, and Duane (Terry) Mahlum of Bismarck, ND, 11 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Eunice Ault, sisters-in-law Doris Larson and Lee Mahlum, all of Wolf Point, Blanche Mahlum, Kennewick, WA, Frances Harrington of Alabama, Crystal Marsh of Spokane, WA, brother-in-law Dennis Mahlum of Kennewick, WA and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point. Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 6, 2009 at First Lutheran Church, Wolf Point. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 415 Johnson Street, Wolf Point, MT 59201 or Wolf Point 100 Club, PO Box 1001,Wolf Point, MT 59201.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.