Gertrude Martha Bach was born March 18, 1939 to Paul and Martha (Panka) Sik in Canby, MN. She was raised on a farm near Canby, MN and attended country school. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno, MN.
Gertie was united in marriage to Roman Bach on November 8, 1955 and to this union 8 children were born. Roman and Gertie made their first home on a farm near St. Leo, MN. They moved to a farm southwest of Canby in 1961. She helped Roman on the farm, pushing John Deere’s when they wouldn’t start and raised their children. When most of the children were grown, Gertie worked at her sister’s café as a cook, at Schotts for 10+ years and in housekeeping at the Canby Hospital before retiring. During retirement, Gertie enjoyed going to the casino with Roman and attending grandchildren’s activities. Gertie and Roman moved into Canby where Gertie enjoyed having coffee up town, going on walks, and sitting on the deck. Roman passed away on November 20, 2019. Gertie then moved to the Healthcare Care Center in Madison, MN where she passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2020 at the age of 81 years and 25 days. Gertie enjoyed Holy Week and was always a woman of prayer which makes passing away on Easter Sunday a confirmation of her faith.
She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby where she held many leadership roles including President of Christian Mothers at the parish level, and also served as the President for Christian Mothers at the Regional level. She was also President of the St. Leo Auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking big meals for family and company, baking, playing with the kids, grandkids & great grandkids, and holiday traditions with family where no one left hungry, cards and playing music by ear for her family on the piano and accordion. Family has fond memories of Gertie waving to everyone after a visit until the car couldn’t be seen anymore every time someone left and her giggles to the point of falling off chairs.
Gertie is survived by her 8 children: Marian Bach, Steve (Linda) Bach, Karen (Buddy) Hovland, Jeff Bach, Jerry Bach, Connie (Jason) Becker, Tammy (Dan) Willis and Stephanie (Al) Grey; 15 grandchildren: Collene, Joe, Alex, Ben, Niki, Allison, Cody, Megan, Jada, Carly, Ashly, Rachelle, Jacob, Braeden and Kaeden; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings: Dorothy Citrowske, Emil (Madie) Sik, Cecilia Thompson, Bob (Peggy) Sik and Tony (Joan) Sik; sister-in-law Clara Sik; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roman Bach, parents, Paul and Martha Sik, and brothers Marcey and Jim Sik.
