Gertrude Mary (Schaeffer) Brown

Click Here to Watch Gertrude's Service

Gertrude Mary Brown, 90, of Aberdeen, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian burial will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 31, 2017, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Mark Axtmann as Celebrant.

Burial follows at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Friends may sign Gertrude’s online guestbook and also view her service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at the mortuary, and one hour prior to Mass at the church on Friday.

Gertrude Mary (Schaeffer) Brown was born August 9, 1926, to John and Teresa (Gross) Schaeffer on a farm near Richmond, SD.  Her memories of growing up on the farm, near what is now Richmond Lake, were of a happy and hard-working childhood.  After attending country school, Gertrude moved to Aberdeen to work.  Her favorite job was as an elevator operator at the Citizens Building.

On May 22, 1948, Gertrude was united in marriage to Robert Brown and they made Aberdeen their home.  The couple shared 54 years of marriage before Robert passed away on June 4, 2002.  Gertrude continued to reside in Aberdeen until the time of her death.

Gertrude loved working outside in her yard and flower gardens.  She was happy to be awarded “Yard of the Week” twice.  Spring, summer, and fall were her favorite times of the year because she could spend time outdoors.

Survivors include one son, David Brown of Aberdeen; one daughter, Carol (James) Durand of Aberdeen; and grandchildren:  Jacki (Aaron Oestreich) and their children, Honor and Nia, of Sioux Falls, SD, Carlie Stierwalt of Aberdeen, and Kelly (Cory) Rath and their children, Lily and Carver, of Plymouth, MN.

Gertrude is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents; five brothers; five sisters; and one grandson, Shawn Brown, in 1997.