Gertrude Johanna Suhr Kelly was born June 27, 1906, in Northwood, Iowa, living most of her life in Albert Lea. She lived the past 20 years of her life at St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home. Previously, she lived in Yankton, S.D.

Her friendly smile and gracious manner was known by the many patrons of businesses she and her husband, Leonard T. Kelly, owned or managed. Some of those places were the following: the Casino on Fountain Lake, the Avalon Cafe, the Sports Bar and Kelly&8217;s Cove, Yankton, S.D. Gertie loved to fix food for her family. We all came from far and wide to be home with Mom and eat her homemade chicken and noodles as well as potato cinnamon rolls. Her joy was to gather the family together. She served the Lord and people by being a waitress until age 70.

Gertie is preceeded in death by her husband, Leonard and daughter, Donna and son-in-law W. Lee Meredith, and son-in-law John R. Hayek. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Kelly Hayek of Albert Lea and Lucinda (Cindy) Kelly of Tempe, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great- grandchild.

Gertie was the matriarch, the glue that held us together. She will be greatly missed. Her epitaph will read, &8220;God will take care of you.&8221; Her family and friends will gather this summer for a memorial/burial service to honor Gertie.

Blessed be her memory.

Gertie leaves with us a favorite prayer found in her Bible.

Each Day the Last

Lord let me live my every day, as if it were my last, and strive to make amends for all the sins that fill my past.

Let me be kind to everyone in thought, and word and deed, and share what worldly goods I have with those who are in need.

Help me, O Lord with strength of heart, and with your Holy Grace to walk in calm and patience and to keep my humble place.

I want to be your servant, Lord

and always do your will, until my eyes are closed in sleep; until my heart is still.

Be merciful to me, O Lord

For my imperfect past and let me live my every day

As if it were my last.

Thank you, dear Lord, for everything.