Funeral services for 92-year-old Gertrude “Gert” Marie Smestad of Orlando, Florida, will be held Monday morning, March 9, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church in Winter Park, Floria.
Interment will be next to her husband at the National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Gertrude “Gert” Marie Smestad passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2015.
Gertrude was born on June 17, 1922 in Ashton, Iowa, the daughter of the late Charlie Homsma and Gertrude Bull.
On May 3, 1944, Gertrude married her high school sweetheart, Donald E. Smestad Sr. in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Shortly after, they moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where she managed a beauty parlor and made ammunition for World War II. After the war, they returned to Minnesota, where she had three sons and became an entrepreneur, opening New Image Hair Studio in Windom, Minnesota.
After raising her children, Gertrude and her husband, Donald, moved to Marianna, Florida. In 1978, she expanded her entrepreneurship by purchasing the Best Western Motel and Y-Liquor Store.
In 1988, Gertrude decided it was time to live a more relaxed life and retired with her husband to Ocala, Florida where they resided for 17 years. During her time spent there, she was an active volunteer at the local hospital, became a member of the Red Hat Society, renewed her love for the game of Bridge, and played golf often; perfecting her swing.
Her husband, Donald, passed away on April 1, 1992.
Gertrude sold her home in 2005 and relocated to Orlando. She lived out her remaining years at Westminster Towers, where she enjoyed an active lifestyle. Gertrude participated in numerous activities such as water aerobics, volunteered at the White Elephant, played putt-putt golf and partook in game nights. She developed lasting friendships and relived her younger years over dinner and coffee with friends.
Kind, soft-spoken and Christian are words used to describe Gertrude. She was a dedicated daughter, sister, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family dearly. She enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends and believed that laughter was the best medicine.
Traveling the world was one of her passions and she visited countless countries on five different continents. She had a love for dancing, reading, watching sports, and playing games. Some of her favorite games included Bridge, Bingo, and Kings in the Corner.
Gertrude is survived by her three much-loved sons and daughters-in-law, Donald (Paige) Smestad of Orlando, Dean (Nene) Smestad of Windom and Dennis (Michelle) Smestad of Centennial, Colorado; seven cherished grandchildren, Lindsey Smestad, Stephanie (Wilson) McDowell, Amber (Blake) Crow, Afton Smestad, Dane Smestad, Davis Smestad and Dax Smestad; two precious great-grandchildren, Jack and Haley McDowell and a host of adored loved ones, including a brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Smestad Sr.; her brothers, Alan Yates, Frank Harms and Homer Harms and her sisters, Dorothy Yates and Loretta Johnk.
Funeral arrangements were by Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home-Ivanhoe Chapel.
