Gertrude I. Anderson

Gertrude I. Anderson, 94, Grand Forks, ND died Sunday, April 19, 2009 in Bismarck, ND. Gertrude Irene McGrath was born September 24, 1914 in Emerado, ND the daughter of Joseph and Ida (Jacobson) McGrath. She was raised and educated at Emerado and graduated from Emerado High School as valedictorian in 1932. Gertrude married Melvin Anderson on October 20, 1934 in Grand Forks. They worked on area farms until eventually taking over the Anderson family farm at Emerado. They also owned and operated a housing complex in Emerado. Melvin died October 29, 1980. Gertrude moved to Grand Forks in October of 1989. Gertrude had a unique sense of humor. She enjoyed playing Skipbo with her family. She also liked Scrabble, was an avid book reader and loved to shop. She made the best banana bread and chili. Survivors include her sons, Duane (Darlene) Anderson, Grand Forks, ND, Richard Anderson, Grand Forks, Vernon (Carol) Anderson, Emerado, ND; daughters, Kay (Paul) Odegaard, Billings, MT, Colleen (Dean) Mattern, Garrison, ND; grandchildren, Jodi Schroeder, Jeremy Anderson, Paula Odegaard, Shayne Odegaard, Shelley Yager, Trisha Helgeson, Travis Mattern, Michael Yager, Daniel Yager, Tyler Williams; great grandchildren, Kasey, Skyler, Mariah, Braylon, Sydney, Taylor, Chase, Bryce; great great grandchildren, Connor and Serenity; sisters, Eileen Tracey, Champagne, IL, Lenore Gustafson, Grand Forks, Bernice Quirk, Grand Forks. Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin in 1980; grandson, Troy; great grandson, Corey; brothers, Leonard, Roy, John; sisters, Marion, Della and infant twin sisters.