Services for Gertie Conant, 91, of Tyler Tx, will be held on Wednesday November 30, 2022, at 10:00 am at, Lloyd James Funeral Home, Tyler TX with Rev. Pat Alvey and Rev. Steve Lyles officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday November 29, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Lloyd James Funeral Home. Burial will be at Bascom Cemetery.
Gertie passed away on Tuesday November 22, 2022 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.
She was born April 30, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Robert Kletke and Emma Myers Kletke. Later they moved to Port Orchard. Washington. Gertie married Thurman on July 3, 1953 in Port Orchard, Washington while he was on military leave. They were married 68 years and 9 months. In 1954 they moved to Tyler, Texas after Thurman was discharged from the Navy and became members of Friendly Baptist Church that same year.
Gertie worked at Wadel-Connally and Cotton Belt Railroad as a key punch operator. She also took newborn baby pictures at Mother Frances Hospital and later volunteered at the hospital. She and Thurman loved to travel, loved their Sunday school class and church. They enjoyed visiting with their many friends. Gertie had a way with words. She used this talent to send many cards to her many friends.
Gertie was preceded in death by her father (1984), mother, mother n law Viola (2007) and father n law Homer (1975), sister n law Louise Bailey (2021), brother n laws, Albert Jay Bailey ( 1972) and Elvyn Utz (2020), nephews Don Bailey (1961), Greg Bailey (1993) and Jeffrey Utz (2004) and grandson Matthew Rakestraw (2014).
Gertie is survived by her daughter, Debbie Rakestraw (James) of Tyler; son, David (Bubba) Conant of Hallsville; grandchildren, Jamie Sisson and Justin Rakestraw of Tyler, Julianna Sipes of Henderson, Jeffrey Conant of Hallsville and Annamarie Walker of Kilgore; great-grandchildren, Blake, Elizabeth and Mallory Sisson, Macy and Ava Rakestraw of Tyler, Garrett Sipes of Henderson, Nolan Walker of Kilgore; great-great-grandchildren, Olivia and Layla Sisson, Natalie Sisson and Ivy Guzman of Tyler; sister-in-law, Shirley Utz of Longview and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Davis Lee Massey, Keith Bailey, Byron Utz and Doug Fouse. Honorary pallbearers are her Sunday School Class from Friendly Baptist Church.
If desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler TX 75701 or Friendly Baptist Church, 1903 E. Front Tyler TX 75702.
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