GERTRUDE E. PETERSON, 96, formerly of 216 E. Tyler Ave., Eau Claire died Friday, August 30, 2002 at Oakwood Villa in Altoona. She was born on January 5, 1906 in Pleasant Valley, the daughter of the late Herman and Minnie (Ziemann) Schnittke. Gertrude attended school in Pleasant Valley and was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church.\r\nShe married Carl L. Peterson on September 24, 1924. They lived in Cleghorn where Carl was a butter maker, secretary and treasurer at Pleasant Valley Co-op Creamery. They moved to Eau Claire in 1972. Carl died in 1975. Gertrude loved flowers and gardening at her home where she continued to live until 1989, when she moved to St. John's Apartments, and later Oak Gardens. \r\nGertrude was a founding member of Zion Lutheran Church and of Ladies Aid where she was the oldest member. She was baptized by Pastor Theodore Latch, confirmed by Pastor A.M. Wahl and married by Pastor Juneau.\r\nGertrude is survived by a daughter, Marlys Smith of Wabasha, MN; a grandson Steven (Pamela) Olson of Nashville, TN; four granddaughters, Maureen Raskin of Eau Claire, Nancy Block of Black River Falls, Sandra (Kent) Koehler of Hibbing, MN and Sally (Roger) Larson of Mondovi; fourteen great-grandchildren, Sarah (Mark) Van Belle of West Brandywine, PA, Stacey Raskin of Eau Claire, Ryan (Jennifer) Raskin of Menomonee Falls, Andrew (Jennifer) Block of Bloomington, MN, Aaron (Jennifer) Block of West Allis, Abby (Nathan Simonson) Block of Black River Falls, Elizabeth, Brianna and Steven Ross Olson all of Nashville, TN, Jonathon and Jason Foster both of Hibbing, MN, Beth and Jennifer Brion, and Ashley Larson all of Mondovi; four great-great-grandchildren, Tyler Block, Jessica Block, William Van Belle and Kayla Raskin; and a sister Margaret Henning of Eau Claire.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; her parents, Herman and Minnie; infant daughter, Ione Peterson; two son-in-laws, Lester Olson and Merville Smith; grandson-in-law, Tim Foster; two brothers, Clarence and LaVerne Schnittke; and a sister, Amanda Otto.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2002, at Zion Lutheran Church at Hwy 93 and HH, with Pastor Roger D. Eden officiating. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.

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