Gertrude Kuehn

Lifelong Adams County resident Gertrude Zeckser Kuehn of Hastings, 90, passed away Friday, November 20, 2020, at The Heritage at College View Assisted Living, Hastings, NE.

Because of the current concerns regarding COVID, the commemoration of her entrance into eternal glory will be held in the Spring of 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, 465 S. Marion Rd. Hastings, NE. Correspondence may be sent to Debra Tietz, 2689 Oakbrook Drive, St. Joseph, MI 49085 and to Rebecca Buescher, 14262 W. Wilshire Drive, Goodyear, AZ  85395-1655. Memorials in Gertrude’s memory can be made to the Zion Lutheran Foundation, The Lutheran Hour, and Rite Care Speech and Language Clinic.

Gertrude was born May 30, 1930, in Hayland, NE to loving Christian parents, William and Lenora (Ruhter) Zeckser. She was baptized on June  22, 1930, at Christ Lutheran Church in Prosser, NE. Gertrude grew up a farm girl, her Daddy’s right hand. She treasured her memories as a farmer’s daughter and the life lessons she learned on the farm. Gertrude attended Adams County School District 13 and 72 and finally Zion Lutheran School for grades 7 & 8. She was confirmed in her faith at Zion Lutheran Church on May 28, 1944.

Gertrude was a member of the Hastings High School class of 1948 and enjoyed a lifetime of friendships with her classmates. After graduation, she joined the workforce as a secretary for Hide Printing. She met her husband of 60 years, Edward Kuehn, at a Walther League Watermelon Feed, and from that night on she knew Ed would be her husband someday. They were married on September 2, 1951, at Zion Lutheran Church, Hastings, NE. Together Ed and Gertrude raised two children, Debbie and Beckie. Family life centered around church and school activities. Ed and Gertrude sang in the church choir for 50 years. Gertrude taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years and then she and Ed joined forces with Dale and Lorraine as Youth Group Counselors. Ed and Gertrude were a team whether it was hoeing the garden, camping with family and friends, enjoying bowling, or playing pinochle. Their marriage was a picture of love and mutual respect. With the gift of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, there was yet more fun to be enjoyed, more love to be shared and sweet memories to be made.

In addition to her job as a homemaker, Gertrude worked for 49 years, until the age of 87, as a bookkeeper and secretary at the Masonic Center. There she earned a reputation for being a conscientious and accurate bookkeeper, reliable employee, and friend. She especially enjoyed meeting the children and scheduling transportation to the Shrine Hospitals for Crippled Children. Gertrude also enjoyed visits to the office from children attending the Rite Care Speech and Language Clinic. She was delighted when she heard them progress from not speaking to pronouncing her first name.

Gertrude was a humble and energetic servant of the Lord during her 85 years of membership at Zion Lutheran Church. The activities and work of the Ladies Aid brought her great satisfaction. Perhaps your family was the recipient of her famous chicken casserole at your time of loss. It was her quiet way of expressing her love and sharing Jesus’ love for you. In her later years, she enjoyed sending greeting cards to her friends and church family.

Gertrude now rests in the arms of Jesus. Those preceding her in death include her parents, William and Lenora Zeckser; her husband, Edward in 2012; her brother, Larry Zeckser in 2013; as well as her brother-in-law, Richard Harrison; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Laverne and Neola Kuehn and Albert and Cohleen Nienhueser.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Debra (Dean) Tietz of St. Joseph, MI and Rebecca (Dean) Buescher of Goodyear, AZ; and her sister, Margaret Harrison of Omaha, NE. Near and dear to her heart were her grandchildren, Douglas (Amy) Tietz of Troy, MI, Dan and (Laura) Tietz of Austin, TX, Derek Buescher of Phoenix, AZ and Christina Buescher of Phoenix, AZ. Gertrude’s great-grandchildren were the joy of her heart these last few years, Edward (Eddie)Tietz and Katherine (Katie) Tietz of Troy, MI and Ann (Annie) Lenora Tietz of Austin, TX. She will also be missed by her nephews, nieces, and extended family, and a host of friends and her church family.