Gertrude Coleman

Gertrude Coleman, age 93, of St. James, passed away on December 25, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society- Pleasant View in St. James. Private services will be held Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James with Pastor Lyla Klee officiating. Burial will follow at Mt Hope Cemetery in St. James. The family prefers memorial be made to Augustana Lutheran Church Youth program or Stained Glass Window project. Gertrude Besel was born in Mountain Lake, MN, on October 21, 1927, the daughter of Emanuel and Augusta Besel. She was a 1946 graduate of Mountain Lake High School. Gertrude was employed by the Mountain Lake Drug Store and also as a dental assistant in St. James. On August 25, 1955, Gertrude married the love of her life, Lyle W. Coleman of St. James. Their marriage was blessed with daughter Marlene and son John. Together Lyle and Gertrude worked side by side on their farm in St. James Township. Gertrude enjoyed gardening, her specialty was Iris flowers and Regent apples. Quilting and crocheting were favorite hobbies. Many area people were recipients of her chicken rice soup and zucchini bread. She had a wonderful work ethic that she passed on to her family. Gertrude was a faithful member of Augustana Lutheran Church and its Martha Circle. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Marlene (Loren) Kuehl of Welcome, son, John (Shirley) Coleman of St. James, grandchildren; Jenna Kuehl of Trimont, Emily (Justin) Johnson of Brooklyn, NY, Macy (John) Carlson of Pine River, Daniel Coleman (special friend Bailey Haseman) of Sioux Falls, SD. She is preceded in death by her husband Lyle in 2010, parents, 4 brothers and numerous other relatives and friends.