Obit: Masiewicz, Gertrude M. (1916 - 2003)
Poster:  Kipp Kippenhan
 

Name: Masiewicz, Gertrude M.

Birth date /Birth place: 19-Apr-1916; town of Newton, Manitowoc Co., Wis.

Death date / Death place: 12-Oct-2003; St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, Wis.

Marriage: Edward Masiewicz (25-Feb-1954)

Parents: Edward & Lydia (Ortmeier) Dehne

Burial: Colby Memorial Cemetery, Colby, Wis.

Survivors: Husband, Colby; Brothers - Paul (Sue) Dehne, Oceanside, Calif., Raymond (Jackie) Dehne, Sand Diego, Calif., Arnie (Alice) Dehne, Greenwood, Elmer Dehne, Neillsville

Predeceased: Parents

Source: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 edition of the Clark County Press

Gertrude Masiewicz

Gertrude M. Masiewicz, 87, Colby, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. at First United Church of Christ, Colby. The Rev. Kenneth A. Dix will officiate. Burial will be in Colby Memorial Cemetery, Town of Colby. Pallbearers will be Norman Reineking, Richard Herrmann, Leonard Kademan, George Weller, Glenn Herrmann, and Ken Emmerich.

Gertrude M. Dehne was born on April 19, 1916, in the Town of Newton, Manitowoc County, to Edward and Lydia (nee Ortmeier) Dehne. She grew up on a farm north of Colby and graduated from Colby High School in 1933. She worked as a cook and waitress in various cities. During WW II she worked at North American Aviation in California as a riveter. After the war, she was employed as a secretary at White House Milk Company, Abbotsford, for 17 years. She married Edward Masiewicz on Feb. 25, 1954 At First United Church of Christ, Colby. They owned and operated Mid State TV Sales and Service until 1965, when they moved to Ashland. They moved To several cities in central Wisconsin until retirement brought them back to Colby.

Survivors include her husband, Edward, Colby; four brothers Paul (Sue) Dehne, Oceanside, Calif., Raymond (Jackie) Dehne, San Diego, Calif., Arnie (Alice) Dehne, Greenwood, and Elmer Dehne, Neillsville.

Preceding her in death were her parents.

Maurina Funeral Services and Community Funeral Homes, Colby, assisted the family with arrangements.

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As I transcribe these, I get the feeling that there are some of these people I really would have liked to meet. This lady is one of those people. Can you imagine what a change it must have been for a young woman who grew up on a farm outside of Colby moving to California (suburban Los Angeles) to go to work for North American Avaitaion as a riveter? She was the woman they referred to as 'Rosie the Riveter'. If you ever want to get a feel for what life was like at that time, find the movie 'Devil in a Blue Dress' and watch it.

Kipp