Gertrude Ruth Buckley, age 87, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls. A private burial service at the Redwood Falls Cemetery will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Services of Redwood Falls and Morgan. The family requests that memorials be made to Headwaters Animal Shelter in Park Rapids, MN.
Gertrude Ruth Froehlich was born on July 27, 1937, to Herman and Edna (Kreft) Froehlich in Green Isle Township, Sibley County, MN. At the age of one, the family moved to the Froehlich homestead in Sheridan Township, Redwood County, near Seaforth. She was baptized on August 8, 1937 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, MN. Gert was confirmed on March 18, 1951 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, MN. She attended country school District #11, New Ulm Parochial and Public schools and graduated from Wabasso Public School in 1955 as Salutatorian of her class. After graduation, she moved to Redwood Falls where she worked as a bank teller at Citizens Bank and a bookkeeper at Production Credit, Redwood Falls Hospital and Cairns Clinic. On May 24, 1959, Gertrude married Clarence Thiel at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Seaforth, MN. This union blessed them with one daughter, Susan Kay. On April 25, 1970, she was married to Robert L. Buckley in Brookings, SD. She was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls where she belonged to various circles in the Church, taught Bible School and was a substitute Sunday School teacher. She was a Girl Scouts leader for ten years and served as a director on the Girl Scout Council. Gert was a member of the Women’s Investment Club, Redwood Falls Country Club, American Legion and VFW. She was also one of the original Board of Directors of South West Area Fine Arts (SWAFA). In 1985, her husband Bob retired and they moved on Long Lake in Park Rapids, MN. During her time in Park Rapids, she was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Headwaters Country Club and American Legion. In 1988, she was employed as a Physical Therapy Technician at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Starting in June 1990 she became a Pharmacy Technician until September 1994. In October 1994, she began work at Park Pharmacy and retired in 2002. She enjoyed volunteering and did so for many years with the Headwaters Animal Shelter where she walked dogs, hung posters, collected money from collection cans, worked at rummage and bake sales, sold raffle tickets, etc. Gert and Bob had a great love for animals, especially dogs and fostered eight, which eventually led to them adopting one special pup named Buffy. After Bob’s death in 2019, Gert moved back to Redwood Falls to be closer to her family. During her lifetime, Gert enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, reading, stitchery, making wreaths, sewing, going for walks, gardening, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Gertrude is survived by her daughter, Susan (Anthony) Dolezal of Redwood Falls; granddaughters, Caitlin (Ryan) Fitzgerald of Sabin and Haley Dolezal of Redwood Falls; great granddaughter, Rory Kay Fitzgerald; step-children, Donald Buckley of Killeen, TX, Susan Buckley of Wilder, VT and Patrick (Lisa) Buckley of Nisswa; step-granddaughter, Mary (Mark) Moyer of Round Rock, TX; step-great grandsons, Colin and Gavin Moyer; sister-in-laws, Shirley Froehlich of Murdock and Lorraine Froehlich of Eagle Bend; and eleven nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Bob; parents Herman and Edna; brothers, Roland, Herbert and Reuben Froehlich; and her beloved dog Buffy.
