The Mass of Christian burial for Sister Gertrude will be Monday, March 11 at 11 a.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Presentation Convent, Aberdeen. The Rev. Joseph Sheehan will be celebrant and homilist. A wake service will be Sunday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m.
Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, with Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., in charge of arrangements.
Clara Agnes was born March 15, 1915, in Granville, Iowa, to Magdelena (Roeder) and Joseph Nemmers. She began her grade school education in Granville, and then in 1924, her family moved to Dell Rapids, where she completed her education through grade 10 at St. Mary's Grade and High School. She entered Presentation Convent on Aug. 25, 1932, and made her first profession of vows July 9, 1935. She became a registered X-ray and EKG technician in 1940. Sister Gertrude ministered at Queen of Peace (St. Joseph Hospital) in Mitchell, McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls and St. Luke's in Aberdeen (1945-60). She also ministered at Presentation Children's Home in Sioux Falls from 1965-66. She managed the altar bread department at the convent in Aberdeen from 1966-89. Sister Gertrude was caregiver for family members, Arnold in Tucson, Ariz., and Florence Ginsbach in Dell Rapids, from 1989 until 2007.
Sister Gertrude resided at Presentation Convent from 2007 until her death. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor, and when asked what her position or profession was, she would reply, "Keeping my eye on the eternal goal." She enjoyed making birthday and feast day cards, delighting the recipients and then eagerly awaiting their responses.
Sister Gertrude is survived by her community of Presentation Sisters; two sisters, Sister Helen, PBVM, Aberdeen; Charlotte Hinricher, Dell Rapids; and one brother, Quintin, Dell Rapids. She is preceded in death by her parents, Magdelena and Joseph; two sisters: Florence Ginsbach, Dell Rapids, Mary Page, Sioux Falls; and seven brothers: Roman, Aloys, Father Charles, John, Father Leonard, Arnold and Urban Nemmers.
Nephews, Tom, Steve, Joe, Robert, David Nemmers, Joe Hinricher, Paul Ginsbach and David Weibel, will serve as casket bearers.
spitzerfuneralhome.com