05/03/2005
Gertrude Marie (Tragesser) McGargill, was born October 31, 1911 at Tipton, Indiana and was the eldest child of Frank and Mary Amelia (Schuck) Tragesser. She passed away May 3, 2005 in Shenandoah, Iowa at the age of 93.
She attended grade school at country schools in Pleasantville and Knoxville, Iowa. She attended High School at Knoxville, Iowa and Nursing School in Des Moines, Iowa at Mercy Hospital.
Gertrude married Edward J. McGargill September 24, 1934. To that union eleven children were born. Ed and Gertrude moved to the farm after their marriage and she lived there until July 2000 when she moved to Shenandoah.
Since the death of her husband in 1971, she finished raising her family and has done much volunteer work with Altar Society, Pro Life, the Blood Bank, Cancer Society, the Historical Society, Extension, Shenandoah Hospital Auxiliary and was a Reach to Recovery person for Fremont County for many years.
She has made many things for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Until the age of 92, she made her own bread. Gertrude loved playing bridge and belonged to several bridge groups. She also belonged to the Meta Grada group.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward; sons, Peter, John, Matt, and Paul; daughter, Mary Agnes; grandson, Abe McGargill and great grandson Lucas McGargill.
She is survived by daughter, Marilyn Skahill; son, Mark McGargill and wife Dorothy; son, Luke and wife Beverly; son Thomas “Jake” McGargill and wife Pam; son, George and wife Laurie; son Sam and wife Marleen; 34 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren; two sisters, Katherine Kuhn and Agnes Fout along with a host of other family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, May 7, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Imogene, Iowa. Celebrant for the service was Father Kenneth Gross. Eucharistic Ministers were Melonie Doyle, Gary Campin and Sandy Bugg. Brady Gutschenritter and Jason Goltz were Altar Servers. Lector for the service was Jake McGargill.
Vocalists Janice Doyle and Patti Wetterland were accompanied by organist Michaela Martin. Special music was "How Great Thou Art", "Ave Maria", "Prayer of St. Francis" and "Gentle Woman".
Attending the memory register were Helen Laughlin, Fannie Martin, Margine Henry and Madge Maher. Gift bearers were Ann Steichen, Mary Grenier, Kerri McGargill, Audrey McGargill and Magan Taylor. Bud Laughlin was the bell toller. Ushers for the services were Marty Laughlin, Frank Gutschenritter and John Martin. Honorary casket bearer was Greg McGargill. Casket bearers were Tony Skahill, Tom McGargill, Ed McGargill, Jason McGargill, Zach McGargill, Ben McGargill, Chad McGargill and Scott McGargill.
Interment was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Imogene, Iowa. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingstonfuneralhome.com.