Gertrude Fern Wilhelm, age 95, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Greenway Manor, Spring Green, WI where she had been a resident for the past year. Gertrude was born January 26, 1919 to Leonard and Lydia (Unke) Gasser of Prairie du Sac township. She attended Hillside Grade School and graduated from Prairie du Sac High School in 1937, and from the Wisconsin School of Music in Madison in 1942.


Gertrude married Lowell L. Wilhelm on September 26, 1945 at the Honey Creek Church. Gertrude and Lowell celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1995. Lowell passed away on December 14, 1998.


Gertrude was a member of Honey Creek Church where she taught Sunday School and played the piano and organ for many years. When the Honey Creek Church closed, she joined the Black Hawk United Methodist Church.

Gertrude taught hundreds of piano and organ students in the Sauk Prairie area from 1937 to 2014. Her last piano recital was given at Greenway Manor this past year by Heidi Kuhnau. She also accompanied the Sauk County Male Chorus, Honey Creek Church choir, Camp Witwen camp meetings, and many Solo & Ensemble participants over the years. Gertrude enjoyed her cats, sewing, counted cross-stitch, cooking and entertaining, and attending the Witwen 4th of July celebrations.



Gertrude is survived by a daughter-in-law Mary Wilhelm of Antigo, WI; grandson Ben (Melissa) Wilhelm of Antigo, WI; granddaughter Becky (Ben) Stevens of Berlin, Germany; grandson Matthew (fiancée Jami Higgs) of Stevens Point, WI; great-grandsons Max Wilhelm of Antigo, WI and Elijah Stevens of Berlin, Germany; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lowell, and her son Jerome (Jerry); sisters- and brothers-in-law Allen & Margaret Wilhelm, Harvey & Ann Wilhelm, Lowell & Rose Hasheider, Reuben & Esther Mueller, and Elmer & Lydia Luck; and many relatives on her mother's side.



Special thanks to the staff of Greenway Manor in Spring Green, special friends Marla Sprecher and Barb Oelke, Dr. Dusty Koch, Family Care of SW Wisconsin, and many others who have helped the family over the years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 am at the Black Hawk United Methodist Church, with Pastor Kendall Schlittler officiating. Visitation will be held at 10:00 am at the church. Burial will follow at the Honey Creek Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sauk Prairie Hospital Foundation, the Black Hawk United Methodist Church, or the Honey Creek Cemetery Association.