Aurelia Frances Gatzemeier

Aurelia Frances Gatzemeier, 88, formerly of Rudyard, passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings.

Aurelia was born on Aug. 11, 1923, in Steger, Ill., to Stephen and Louise (Seiter) Dunn. She grew up in Steger and attended Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights. She later obtained a nursing degree from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Joliet. Aurelia worked as a registered nurse in Illinois during World War II.

She married Victor C. "Vic" Gatzemeier in 1949 in Steger, and the couple later moved to Rudyard. Their union was blessed with five sons, and Aurelia spent the next several years working as a wife and mother. She continued her professional work by volunteering and supporting emergency services.

Aurelia enjoyed arts and crafts, especially ceramics, macramé and crocheting. She was a formidable pinochle player who played to win. She served as the secretary/treasurer of the Rudyard Senior Center and was a member of the Holy Family Altar Society, the local EMS Board and the VFW Ladies' Auxiliary.

Aurelia was preceded in death by her husband, Vic; her parents; her sister, Genevieve Lustig; and her brothers, Leonard and Steve Dunn.

She is survived by her five sons, Paul (Barb Skelton) Gatzemeier of Billings, Chuck (Janine) Gatzemeier of Cut Bank, Tim (Gaynelle) Gatzemeier of Rudyard, Tom (Jill) Gatzemeier of Great Falls and Don (Paula) Gatzemeier of Glendale, Ariz. ; her 14 grandchildren; and her 12 great-grandchildren.

A vigil revise will be held at 7 p. m., Sunday, at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church, Hingham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a. m. Monday, July 2, at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Hingham. with Father Joe Diekhans officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery in Havre. The family has requested that memorials be made in Aurelia's name to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.