GERTRUDE HEIMBIGNER, Obituary

Gertrude Myrtle (Thrash) Heimbigner, 85 years of age, died Friday, June 14, 2002, at a Havre hospital of natural causes.

Funeral Service is 11 a.m. Tuesday at The Little White Church in Malta with Pastor Kent Gordon officiating. Burial is to follow at Malta Cemetery. Fellowship to follow burial at the church.

Gertrude was born June 30, 1916, to Albert and Alma (Sterns) Young in Cambri, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her family moved to Malta when Gertrude was 6 years old to homestead. She was educated in Malta and graduated from Malta High School.

In 1932, Gertrude married Cecil Green in Malta. To this union, five children were born. The couple later divorced.

In 1942, Gertrude married Lawrence Thrash in Malta. To this union, one child was born. They were married 26 years. Lawrence preceded her in death.

In 1971, Gertrude married Harry Heimbigner in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They were married 17 years. Harry preceded her in death.

Gertrude owned and operated The Super Fountain in Havre in the 1960s. She was a waitress at the Iron Horse Restaurant from 1968 to 1970. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, she was a nurse's aide at The Liberty County Nursing Home in Chester. Gertrude retired in 1983.

Gertrude enjoyed sewing, travelling, crafting, doing puzzles, gardening, quilting, and doing crossword puzzles. She was a member of The Good Sam's Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Alma (Sterns) Young; husbands, Lawrence Thrash and Harry Heimbigner; brothers, Joe and Dale Young; sisters, Myra Alvana, Janette Moore, Grace Labrie and Doris Norden; children, Raymond Green and Geraldine Green; and grandson, Michael Ray Wicklund.

She is survived by her sister, June Volbright of Havre; sons, Lyal Green of Astoria, Ore., and Larry Thrash of Eugene, Ore.; daughters, Dolores Wicklund of Casper, Wyo., and Lyla Akerlund of Havre; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildrenl and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials in Gertrude's honor may be made to The Make a Wish Foundation, P. O. Box 52435, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2435.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.