Gertrude E. Lenz, (nee Rutz), age 93, of West Bend, formerly of Oshkosh, passed away Monday, March 14, 2005 at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center in West Bend.
She was born on February 1, 1912 in Milwaukee to the late Charles and Minnie (nee Kranzke) Rutz. On April 25, 1936 she was united in marriage to Lester Lenz. Gertrude started with Wisconsin Bell as a telephone operator and worked in several cities before moving to Oshkosh and serving as a supervisor for Wisconsin Bell for over 20 years, retiring in 1977. She moved to West Bend in 1982 and became a member of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church. She was also a member and past president of Dairyland Pioneers. Gertrude enjoyed dancing and was a member of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios.
She is survived by a brother, Arthur (Frances) Rutz of West Bend; a sister-in-law, Esther Rutz of West Bend; two nieces, Jeanne (Arthur) Plansky of Mayville, and Suzanne Bickum of West Bend; a nephew, Roger Rutz of Milwaukee; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred Rutz and Carl Rutz.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the Myrhum - Patten Funeral Home, West Bend. Rev. George Mumm of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church will officiate and entombment will follow in Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorials to a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the nurses and staff of the Cedar Lake Health Care Center for the care they have given to Gertrude for the past 23 years.