Obituary: Breitsprecher, Gertrude J. (Sandau)
Age 89
(Sandau) (Age 89) Gertrude passed away on September 30, 2015.
She is survived by her sisters Darletta Schlot and Margaret Woodrum; brother Darryl Sterritt; her two grandsons, Scott and Landon Oulman; as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband Rex J. Breitsprecher and daughter Jana R. Oulman.
Gertrude was born to Walter Sandau and Freda (Weichum) Sterritt on July 12, 1926 in Elgin, ND.
She grew up on a farm there until she moved to Spokane in 1934 where she lived on East 4th Street in a house her parents built.
Later in 1945, she married Rex J. Breitsprecher who was serving in the U.S. Army at the time.
They lived in Garden Springs where their daughter Jana was born.
Later, they built a home in Lincoln Heights where they lived until Jana was in the 8th grade before again building another home on Five Mile Prairie where they lived for many years.
They also lived in Coeur d’ Alene, ID where Rex built an apartment building.
They were landlords there before moving back to Spokane.
They remained married until Rex passed away on June 24, 2010.
Gertrude had a varied and interesting work history.
She delivered telegrams for Western Union, she was a clerk at Newberry’s, a seamstress at Montgomery Wards, a sales associate at Krest Dime Store, an elevator operator at the Paulson building, and an airplane mechanic at Galena Air Force base during the war years.
Gertrude was a very talented and artistic person.
She was an accomplished artist who made many oil and canvas paintings.
She also painted on glass and she taught others as well.
She painted houses and she was a very good seamstress.
She made her own clothing.
She was a passionate gardener and landscaper.
She always had beautiful and immaculate gardens and yards wherever she lived.
She loved to fish, and she fished at most all the lakes in Eastern Washington.
Lastly, she loved to travel.
She travelled around the USA for two months by car in 2001 with her daughter Jana Oulman and grandson Landon Oulman.
Gertrude was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses for many years where she had many friends.
She was a kind, humble, loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
She will be missed by her many friends and family.
A Memorial Service for Gertrude will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 9622 N. Stevens, Spokane, WA 99218 on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 1:00pm.