Gertrude M. "Gert" Brown

Gertrude M. “Gert” Brown, 98, of South Bend, Indiana passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at St. Paul’s Retirement Community.  Gertrude was born on February 12, 1926 in South Bend to Joseph S. and Joanna C. (Kiszka) Malecki.  She retired from Ave Maria Press where she was employed for 21 years.  On June 1, 1946 in St. Stanislaus Church, she married William E. Brown, who preceded her in death on March 18, 2012.  She was also preceded in death by her son Phil Brown; her son-in-law, Al Opsahl; her two brothers, Leonard and Bernard Malecki; and her sister-in-law, Elsie Malecki.  Gertrude is survived by her daughter, Chris Opsahl of Indianapolis, Indiana; her son William E. (Jean) Brown of Spring Valley, California; her daughter-in-law Cindy Brown of Osceola, Indiana; six grandchildren, Elizabeth Day, Bruce (Mary) Brown, Kim (Cindy Marin) Opsahl, Katie (Tony) Duckett, Alexandria (Charles) Nieto, and Amanda Brown; seven great-grandchildren, Brittney Day, Zander Nieto, Jericho Nieto, Sara Duckett, Raelynn Brown, Axton Brown and Hudson Brown; and her sister-in-law, Valerie Malecki.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2024 in the Chapel at St. Paul’s Retirement Community. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul’s.  Gertrude was the past President of the Polish Women’s Alliance Group 305 and President Council 11 of the Polish Women’s Alliance.  She was a member of   St. Stanislaus Harvest House, Apostleship of Prayer, St. Hedwig Golden Cluster, Confraternity of the Holy Rosary at St. Stanislaus Church,  American Legion Pulaski Post #357 Auxillary, and the  L.O.T.F.F.  She was also a Secretary for 15 years for the U.A.W. Retirees.  Memorial Contributions should be directed to the Center for Hospice Care. Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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