Gertrude Mary Agnes La Force, 1921 to 2010. Gertie was born Aug. 15, 1921, in Little Falls, Minn., to Maximillian and Mary Hamernik. She spent her childhood and teenage years growing up on the family farm near Fort Ripley. Moving away from home and into adulthood, Gertrude married Carl Engholm. To this union, two children were born, Norma Jean and Ronald Brian Engholm. In 1949, Gertrude remarried. Russell Lee Bryson of Grand Forks, N.D., became her husband. The couple moved to Monte Vista, Colo., in 1950. They spent 30 years in the San Luis Valley and were blessed with two sons, Lee Loren and Max Allen Bryson. Later they adopted another son, Larry Donnell Dorsey. During her years in the valley, Gert came to know almost everyone. Her work at customer service in Safeway allowed her to share an always ready smile, appreciation of, and love for people. Charity and hospitality were practiced by Gert regularly. Her service included lifetime membership in the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary and Beta Sigma Phi. Gertrude remarried John B. La Force in Durango, Colo., on Feb. 15, 1975. The marriage was the start of a near perfect relationship that lasted over 30 years. John and Gert spent many treasured years in the Animas Valley north of Durango, where their ambition and skills shaped their new lives in the form of a beautiful home, fruitful orchard, vegetable garden, berry patch and flower garden extraordinaire. Gert found joy in sharing her skills and was a member of the Animas Valley Garden Club. Health forced the couple to leave paradise and move to Grand Junction in 1993, and again to Pueblo West in 1997. With each move, they made their new home a work of creative beauty. Rosebushes, trees and cactus gardens still thrive today because of their loving care and strong work ethic. The way that they transformed places, turning barren into fruitful, ordinary into excellent, mundane to magnificent, inspired three generations of descendants. Gert lost Johnny for a time in 2005. After his death, she moved to Raton, N.M., to be near her six remaining children, 14 grandchildren and numerous great- grandchildren. Her golden years were an inspiration to family and all who called her friend. Her love for others remains her testament as she remains in the arms of her Savior. Gertrude was preceded in death by sisters, Geraldine and Jeannie; brother, Sonny; husband, John; and sons, Eugene and Ronnie. She is succeeded in life by sister, Florence and her husband, Wayne Sherfey; brother-in-law, Penny Patyk; brother-in-law, Babe Quarford; daughter, Norma Hockman and husband, Ed; son, Lee Bryson and wife, Nina; son, Larry Dorsey; son, Max Bryson and wife, Doreen; son, Mark La Force and wife, Janna; and son, Curt La Force. Grandchildren who knew her generous kindness include Curtis, Robert, Jeffery and Phyllis and Russell and Julie Hockman, Shamy Harper, Kendra and Tony Smith, Kelsey and Kyle Engholm, Russell, James, Loren and Maximillian Bryson, Rhiannon and Michael Mascarenas and Larry and Ivan Dorsey. Great-grandchildren who found in "Grandma Gert" the spirit of giving and wisdom include Ashley, Curtis, Mikie and Misty Hockman, Kera Barnett, Angel and Kenny Smith, Jazmyn Engholm, Gerron, Jolisa and James Michael Bryson and Michael and Justus Mascarenas. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 11, 2010, at Trinity Church, 4490 Newland St. in Wheatridge, Colo. All friends and relatives are welcome as we share a celebration of life. Arrangements are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton, N.M.
Pueblo Chieftain Saturday December 11 2010