Gertrude Gillis

Gertrude Gillis November 17, 1913 - October 30, 2009

Gertrude E. Gillis, age 95, of Faribault, died Friday, October 30, 2009 at the St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault. Interment will be at the Resurrection Cemetery in Medford. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home of Faribault. Gertrude Elizabeth Blais, the daughter of Alphonse and Martha (Zabel) Blais, was born on November 17, 1913 in Faribault. She married Michael Gillis on April 14, 1932. Gertrude and Michael were dairy farmers in Medford until his death in 1955. She raised her nine children and resided in Faribault where she worked at the Faribault State Schools for the Grandparents Program. She is survived by her nine children, Patricia Tousignant and Rita (Jim) Ray, both of Fallon, NV, Paul (Jeane) Gillis of Medford, Joyce (Pat) Rath of Owatonna, Janice (Richard) Paro of Maple Plain, MN, Ray Gillis of Crystal, MN, Kathleen (Eugene) Kelsey of Dallas, GA, and Larry Gillis and Victor Gills, both of Owatonna; 35 grandchildren; 79 great grandchildren; brother, LaVern Blais of Hattiesburg, MS; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael; parents; seven brothers; four sisters; son-in-law, Robert Tousignant; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Gillis. Gertrude''s family is extremely thankful for the care provided by the staff at St. Lucas Care Center.