Gertrude L Pendleton

Gertrude L. Pendleton, 93, of La Crosse, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center. She was born on August 30, 1920 in La Crosse to Clarence and Henrietta (Reichert) Fontish. Her mother passed away when she was 4 years old. She spent several years with her aunt Louise and uncle George until her father later remarried her stepmother, Gertrude Smith. Gert grew up in La Crosse and graduated from Logan High School in June of 1938. On January 10, 1942 she married Arnold J. Pendleton of La Crosse, at St. James Catholic Church. She and Arnie had eight children. Mom was a wonderful baker and always had cookies ready after school and pies on Sunday. She was a stay-at-home Mom until all her children were in school. She then worked for many years at Dumont Company. She and Arnie retired at age 62 and together they became well known for their long walks around La Crosse.

Gertrude is survived by her eight children Donna (Robert) Kostecki of Ettrick, WI, Robert (Phyllis) Pendleton of La Crosse, Richard (Janelle) Pendleton of Pagosa Springs, CO, Mary (Daniel) Johnson of Chippewa Falls, WI, Jean (Peter) Smith of La Crosse, John (Beth) Pendleton of Sparta, WI, Patty (Pat) McKenney of Green Bay, WI and Judy (Rick) Kehr of La Crosse. Eighteen grandchildren, thirty-three great grandchildren, five great- great grandchildren and her loving and special dog, Charlie. She is also survived by one sister Shirley Roach of North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arnold on February 7, 2004, her step-mother Gertrude Fontish, a brother Clarence Fontish, Jr., a sister-in-law Diane Fontish and an infant grand-daughter Jana Lee Kostecki. In accordance with Gertrudes wishes her body will be cremated. A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014 from 6-8 PM at the Schumacher Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1032 Caledonia St., La Crosse. Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate. Private burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. James the Less Catholic Church, the Logan Alumni Association, the Boys and Girls Club of La Crosse or Place of Grace in La Crosse.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center for their gentle and loving care of our mother.