Gertrude (Heida) Haats

Gertrude Haats, 93, of Willmar and formerly of Raymond, passed away on Saturday, December 26, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

A private funeral for the immediate family will be held on Tuesday, December 29.  Arrangements are with the Tri-County Funeral Home in Prinsburg.  www.tricountyfuneral.com

She was born on November 5, 1927, in Chippewa County to Nick and Lena (Smit) Heida.  Gert was baptized and confirmed at the Raymond United Methodist Church and attended school in Raymond.  On August 27, 1948, she married  Albert Haats.  They made their home in Raymond where they raised their four children.  Gert was a lifelong member of the Raymond United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was an active member of the Women’s Society.  She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary serving as secretary for over 30 years.  Gert and Albert enjoyed square dancing early in their marriage and then old-time dancing.

Gert was an excellent seamstress who took pleasure in sewing clothes for her daughters and then using the remnants to make quilts.  She supplied each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with quilts not just once but multiple times.  She was also a great baker and always had fresh baked treats for after school snacks. She dedicated her life to her family, raising her children and providing a loving home.   Those who knew Gert best will miss her kindness, sense of humor and most of all her loving heart.  Even in her final years living with dementia she had a smile, wink of the eye and sometimes an eye roll for her visitors and care team.

She is survived by her children, Randy (Patti) Haats of Willmar, Judy (Gary) Anderson of Clear Lake, Lori (Todd) Prekker of Greenfield and Brenda Williams of Maple Grove; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Jeannette Tebben of Clara City; and two sisters-in-law, Gert Heida and Adeline Klemenhagen, both of Willmar, besides many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert in October 2012; four brothers,  John  (Ann), Tony, Richard ( Annette), and Bert  and two sisters, Lucy (Rence) Bents and Marie (Bill) Tammen.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gertrude (Heida) Haats, please visit our floral store.