GERTRUDE F. STELLING

Gertrude F. “Gertie”  Stelling, 98, formerly of Malta, Illinois, passed away Monday, May 22, 2023 at Lincolnshire Place in Sycamore.

Born December 28, 1924, on the family farm near Tilden, Nebraska, she was the youngest daughter of Albert Jacob and Rosa (Guentert) Hofer. Gertie attended a two-room country school and Tilden High School. After graduation, she took special training and received an elementary teaching certificate. She taught in the rural school system for several years teaching all eight grades in one-room schoolhouses.

On May 26, 1944 Gertie was united in marriage to Bennett E. Stelling. Their early years together were spent living and working on farms in the Orchard and Tilden area. In 1957 the family left Nebraska and moved to Malta.

She was employed by the Wurlitzer Piano Co. in DeKalb and later worked at NIU for 30 years in the Accounts Receivable Dept. retiring in 1994 as Dept. Head. A great pie baker her famous coconut cream pie was a must have at family gatherings. Some of her hobbies were reading, crocheting, gardening, cards, billiards, watching Cubs games and seeing them win the 2016 World Series.

Gertie was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sycamore since moving to Illinois. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt. She was a one-of-a-kind person never to be replaced who was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her family.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the dedicated and loving staff at Lincolnshire Place and ProMedica Hospice for their wonderful care.

She is survived by her son Ronald (Peggy) Stelling of Popular Grove and her daughter Susan (Douglas) Moore of Sycamore; daughter-in-law, Sue Stelling of DeKalb; four grandchildren, Michele Stelling, Scott (Shannon) Stelling, Dawn (Ray) Lindsey, Steve (Kate) Stelling; ten great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Bennett; her son, Dennis Stelling; grandson, Eric Stelling; her parents; two brothers, Albert Jr. and Hans Hofer; her dear sister, Meta Freeman; and special niece, Phyllis Eraas.

A private service for immediate family will take place at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb, followed with burial at Fairview Park Cemetery. Rev. Paul Mumme of St. John’s Lutheran Church will be officiating.

In Lieu of flowers, cards and memorials can be made to the Gertrude Stelling Memorial Fund for St. John’s Lutheran Church, addressed to the Stelling Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.

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