GERTRUDE (HAUGEN) RYE

Gertrude Dorothy Rye (Johnson), 91, Grand Forks, ND died peacefully and surrounded by family on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living Facility. Gertrude was born July 15, 1923, the 2nd of 12 children to Iver and Bernice Johnson on a farm near Galesburg, ND where she grew up and attended country school. Gertrude was married to Clarence Eugene Haugen, November 16, 1648 with whom she raised their children Donnie, Virgil, Marilyn and Wayne. Gertrude and Clarence lived on a farm owned by Julius Thorn, seven miles west of Hannaford, ND until Thorn’s death in 1965 when they decided to buy the farm. It was here they raised their children while farming and tending a few livestock. In the fall of 1978 Gertrude and Clarence visited Tucson AZ for the first time and purchased a home where the spent winters until his passing. Gertrude later married Floyd Rye with whom she resided in their home until his passing in 1999. She continued to live in the home until 2014 at time living with her dogs Tabby, Buddy and Maddie and her grandson Justin. In her spare time she enjoyed reading her bible, quilting, dancing and cooking meals for her family. Gertrude was a devoted member of Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church where she enjoyed walking to services on Sunday mornings. She was a loving sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be dearly missed by all. A Graveside service will be Friday, May 29, 2015 at 1:00 pm in the Eidfjord Cemetery, Walum, ND