Gertrude Mary RATZ

The 1920 census says she lived with her sister, Alma and her family. But another page of that same census says Gertrude lived with Harry, her brother. Obituary: Mrs. Gertrude M. Ross, 84, of Rochester died at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Hospital. Born in Springfield, Mrs. Ross was the daughter of William and Mary Schwartz Ratz. Her husband, Hosea B. died Jan. 14, 1964. She was a member of the Rochester United Methodist Church and Sangamon Chapter No. 746 OES. Surviving are three sons, Hosea B. of Bristol, Ind., James D. of Springfield and Lyle S. of Rochester; and seven grandchildren. Services will be at 11 Saturday at Wilson Park Funeral Home, Rochester, Rev. Walter Krech of ____. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Buckhart. Illinois State Journal Register, 12/25/1969, page 6. In a phone conversation with Hosea & Maxine Ross of Bristol, Indiana, 12/1/1997: Gertrude was a great cook! She lost most of her hearing early. Gertrude worked at Bressmer's Department Store in Springfield, Illinois. It was an upscale store. The children listed in her obituary were stepchildren. Her husband was married before. But Gertrude & Hosea dated each other before he was married the first time! Gertrude & Hosea never had any children. She gave Maxine a quilt top in the Seven Sisters pattern. In 1996 Maxine had it quilted and gave it to one of her sons and his wife. S. S. #336-32-6910 D.

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