Gertrude McDonald

March 9, 1929 - December 23, 2018
Gertrude M. McDonald, formerly of Eckville, Alberta, passed away peacefully with family at her side at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Sunday, December 23, 2018 at the age of 89 years.

Gertrude May Hagerman was born on March 9, 1929 in Chaplin, Saskatchewan. Her work ethic was cultivated from hard work on the farm she was raised on south of Sylvan Lake with her three brothers and two sisters. After completing her teacher's training in Calgary, Gertrude returned to the area to teach, and was united in marriage to Ewart McDonald in 1950. Not only did they farm together, Gertrude also continued teaching Home Economics part-time in Eckville, and was actively involved with the Catholic Women's League and the Country Ladies Aide. She always looked forward to their numerous world travels and years of wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona. Gertrude especially loved hosting family and friends. She spent her last years in the Eckville Manor and the Bentley Care Centre.

Gertrude is survived by her loving family: her three children, Bernadette (Frank) Wyzykoski, Adair (Susan) McDonald, and Vivian (Jean) Cloutier; her eight grandchildren: Shannon (Shawn) Frenette, Shaun (Sara) Wyzykoski, Scott (Julie) Wyzykoski, Cody (Andi) McDonald, Clayton (Ann) McDonald, Rene (Lisa) Cloutier, Genevieve (Brad) Ford, and Dominique (Chris) Frost; as well as fifteen great grandchildren. She also leaves one sister, Aneta Halvorson; one brother, Jack (Val) Hagerman; and her in-laws: Hilary McDonald, Margaret (Laurence) Ferguson, Loretta Schwartzenberger, Shirley Hagerman, and Dixie Hagerman; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews, and many close friends. Gertrude was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ewart in 2010; her sister, Agnes Duval; and two brothers, Thomas and Bruce.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sylvan Lake on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Father Les Drewicki, Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Eckville Cemetery, Eckville at 2:30 p.m. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Gertrude's Memory may be made directly to the charity of one's choice. Condolence messages may also be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca

Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd