Gertrude Lenora Taipale "Gertie", age 90, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at Essentia Health St. Mary's hospital in Superior.

Gertie was born in Iron River, Wisconsin on July 10, 1924, to Bertha (Tutor) and Percy Armbruster. She attended school in Iron River while employed as a waitress and nanny. She also spent time working in Detroit supporting the WWII effort. She married Harvey Taipale on December 24th, 1943. The couple made their home in Oulu where they operated a logging operation and dairy farm. In later years, Gertie and Harvey moved to Superior. Harvey passed away in 1997 and Gertie continued to reside in Superior, eventually moving to the Lighthouse of Superior.

Gertie often reminisced about fishing and swimming at Moon Lake in Iron River, spending summers with Grandma Tutor at the homestead in Tripp, cooking flapjacks for the lumberjacks at Taipale's logging camp, raising calves on the farm, and gardening. Her favorite pastime was spending time with friends and family, especially when she could treat them to a home-cooked meal. An avid artist and art fan, she was best friends and intrepid traveling companion of local artist Norma Lind. Gertie was a voracious reader and also loved working crossword puzzles, playing bingo, writing and receiving letters, and beating everyone at 500 Rummy. She was a skilled knitter and supplied the family with slippers, hats, and scarves. Gertie was an indomitable and tender-hearted soul who made friends wherever she went. She will be remembered for the warm welcome she extended to all visitors, her gift of gab, her independent spirit, and her sisu (stubborn tenacity).

Gertie will be sadly missed by her family. She is survived by her children: sons Harvey (Gayle) Taipale and Lynn (Elsa Cardenas) Taipale and daughter Patricia (Richard) Fischer, her sister-in-law Bernice Taipale , and her brother-in-law Veikko Taipale. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Eric (Kirsten) Taipale, Mari (Chad) Winter, Jamie (Heather) Taipale, Erin Taipale, Greg Taipale (special friend Tess), and James (Kristen) Fischer and great-grandchildren Ashley, Ciarra, Madelene, Meredith, Lauren, and Luke as well as many nieces and nephews.

Gertie was preceded in death by husband Harvey, sisters Grace Knuuttila and Lillian Taipale , brother James Armbruster and daughter-in-law Caroline Taipale.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff members at the Lighthouse of Superior for the understanding and loving care they provided to our Mom. Also sincere thanks to the staff at St. Mary's Hospital for their kindness, especially Chaplain Sara and Nurse Anne.

A memorial service is being planned for later this year.

Godspeed Mom. Love you now and forever.