Gertrude J. Huls, 96, of Carthage, passed away at Memorial Hospital in Carthage Friday, June 25, 2021.

Gertrude was born August 22, 1924, the daughter of John and Hannah (Tobias) Wachtendorf at the family farm near Basco.  As a young girl she would help families in their homes when new babies arrived.  On September 14, 1942 she married her husband of over 60 years, Irvin Huls, in Kahoka, Missouri.  She worked at Memorial Hospital as an aide for several years.  She then worked at Sheller Globe in Keokuk for approximately 20 years.  After her retirement from Sheller-Globe she worked in the home health industry in the Carthage area until she was 83 years old.  After retiring from home health she began her quilting hobby making many quilts for her family.  She enjoyed quilting with the Immanuel Lutheran Church quilting group and didn’t miss many Thursday quilting days.  Gertie was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Gertie is survived by five children, Shirley Payne of Carthage, Connie (Bill) Sutton of South Carolina, Dale (Clarice) Huls of Keokuk, Kevin Huls of Carthage and Brenda Huls of Keokuk; twelve grandchildren and step-grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and step great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Cameron and Erma Huls; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Irvin; two sons, LaVerne “Shotsie” and Jerry; a son-in-law, Jim Payne; two brothers, Richard and Junius Wachtendorf; and two sisters, Anna Reed and Wilma Martens.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday morning, July 2, 2021, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church south of Carthage with burial to follow in the church Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until time of services at 10:00 at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or Memorial Hospital Foundation Inpatient Services.  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.