Gertrude Duncan

GERTRUDE DUNCAN

Gertrude M. Duncan, age 93 of Kahoka, MO, passed away Monday, January 10, 2005 at the Clark Co. Nursing Home in Kahoka where she had made her home for the past 14 years.

She was born March 16, 1911 in Clark County, MO, a daughter of Curtis William and Alice Walker Beard.

She married Carroll Jones and they were the parents of William Lee. On September 8, 1940 she was united in marriage to Marion M. Duncan in Kahoka. With the marriage the family grew to include five sons and in addition the birth of a baby girl, Mary. Marion preceded her in death on February 21, 2004.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary Oelschlaeger and her husband, George, of Rock Island, IL; two step-sons whom she raised, Joe Duncan and his wife, Carole, of Columbia, MO and John Duncan and his wife, Joan, of Ballwin, MO; two brothers-in-law, Harold Duncan of Columbia, MO and Kenneth Duncan and his wife, Wilma, of Birmingham, AL; fourteen grandchildren: David and Kim Duncan, Dan and Nelly Duncan, Doug and Maria Duncan, Don Steiner and Blanca Robles, Joe Duncan, Jr., Ellen Duncan, Jennifer and Brad Gresham, Mary Carter and Anthony Martin, Cheri and Tom Vandergrift, Bryon and Kellie Witt, Keenan and Clara McClure, Brandon Duncan, Fred and Karol Oelschlaeger, and Curtis Oelschlaeger; as well as 16 great grandchildren and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, William Lee Jones; two step-sons, David and Steve Duncan; a granddaughter, Heidi Oelschlaeger; two brothers, Ralph and Raymond Beard; and a sister, Gladys Coney.

Gertrude graduated from Wyaconda High School in 1929 and attended nursing school at Graham Hospital in Keokuk. In 1946 she became an agent for MFA, now Shelter Insurance, and together with her husband, ran the agency until retiring on December 31, 1974. In 1956 she was named "Woman of the Year" by the former Business and Professional Women's organization.

She was a faithful member of the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka and the former Willing Workers Sunday School class. She was concerned for her church and her community and was always reaching out to others. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting for family and friends.

Funeral services are Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka, MO with burial in Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends can call at the funeral home after noon on Wednesday with family receiving friends 6-8 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka or to the donor's choice.