Gertrude Morkve

Gertrude Morkve, 97, of Hatton, ND passed away Monday, August 15, 2016 at Hatton Prairie Village in Hatton. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Hatton. A visitation will be held Monday, August 22, 2016 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at Hatton Prairie Village, Hatton, ND.

Gertrude Evangeline Naastad was born on Feb. 18, 1919, to parents Elmer and Gunda (Soliah) Naastad. She attended school in Hatton and went on to Teachers College in Mayville, ND. While teaching at a school in rural Northwood, ND, she became acquainted with Arnold Morkve and on September 6, 1942, they were married. They raised five children on their little Garfield Township farm, and worked side by side for years until Arnold passed away on March 23, 1990.

Gertrude never gave herself time to be idle. Beyond all the washing, cleaning, cooking, canning and chores involved with raising a family of 7, she always made time to serve her community and her church. She loved her flowers and really enjoyed raking.

Her creative ability and her resourcefulness were legendary. She and Arnold restored many buggies and harnesses. Not to mention making costumes for parades, a favorite pastime for both of them for many years. In her later years, she had a "mission field" - as her grandchildren called it - would go visit her neighbors with fresh baked goods and kind words. She was busy with this a few days a week and when her mission field moved to the nursing home, she went there too. To brighten their days at the home, she would bring the residents favorite cookies (which were homemade until she couldn't see well enough to bake anymore); share bulletins from church or news from other friends and relatives they had in common; play Skip-o or other card games. She always said, "You don't have to stay long, you just have to go." She never forced conversation, it was a quiet visit at times, but often was just that added touch of your hand or a rub on the back that made the visit complete. Gertrude was a beautiful person in more ways than one.

Her motto was "Life is what you make it!" - and she made the best of all situations until she left this old world behind, and the doors of heaven opened and she was reunited with Arnold in the realm of glory.

Left behind to celebrate her going home are four daughters: Arlene Olstad of Mayville, ND; Marilyn (Phil) Olstad, Minot, ND; Linda Stromstad, Beltrami, MN; and Janet (Tom) Miller, Argusville, ND; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Preceding her in death was her husband, parents, son Keith, grandson Kory Stromstad, brother Marcus Naastad, sister Anna Moore and son-in-law Les Olstad. Until we meet again, blessed be her memory.