Gertrude Hundhausen

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Gertrude Hundhausen, 95, of Grant, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2018 at her home.

Gertrude was born on Sept. 17, 1922 in Denver, (where her mother had gone for special medical attention) to Christopher C. Lyon and Lorna Buckland Lyon, the third in the second C.C. Lyon family. She joined brothers Gerald, 3 1/2, and Robert, 8, at home in Grant.

Both parents died when she was 13. At that time she was sponsored by her half-sister, Faye Lyon, through Perkins County High School, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and on in life.

Following college graduation she moved to Rochester, N.Y., where she worked for Eastman Kodak Co. 

At the end of World War II she moved to St. Louis to assist her brother Gerald and his wife Virginia with living expenses while he finished his law degree. While there, she worked for Ralston Purina and met and married her husband, D. Richard Hundhausen. Following his completion of a recall into Air Force service during the Korean War, the Hundhausens moved to Grant where they opened the D & G Hardware, a business purchased from Frank Wykert, a long-time employee of Gertrude’s father - in effect, her father’s business. In collaboration with sister Faye they were involved in the Lyon Funeral Home.

In the 10-year period of living in Grant, three children were born: Sandra Sue, Gail Janice and James Richard. In 1961 the family moved to Omaha, Neb., where Richard was connected with Creighton Medical School. 

In the ensuing 25 years, Gertrude was employed by ConAgra, as director of the Northwest YWCA, as treasurer of State Farmers Insurance Company and as a property-casualty underwriter for Cornhusker Casualty Insurance.

Richard’s poor health brought them back to Grant where they lived until death. 

During this time Gertrude participated in many community activities including the Hastings Memorial Library Board and Library Foundation Board, the Senior Center Board, the board of Westview, offices in P.E.O., clerk of the Congregational Church, billing services for the Grant Volunteer Ambulance and treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliary. She published the Perkins County Abstract, the credit report for the county, for 22 years. Statewide she was active in the TaxAide Program of AARP serving as a part of the state team of management. Twice she received the Good Neighbor Award during the county fair.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three half-brothers and their wives, one half-sister, her older brother Robert and wife Beth, her older brother Gerald and wife Virginia Lyon and two nieces. 

Survivors include Sandra Sue (David) Menz of Hamburg, N.Y.; Gail Janice (Larry) Frame of Omaha; James Richard Hundhausen of Santa Monica, California; and six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; seven nieces; and three nephews.

A memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend. 

Memorial services will be on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Grant with Denise Johnson officiating. Inurnment will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

308-352-4311 (Phone)

PO Box 67
327 Central Ave in Grant
Grant NE 69140