Gertrude R. O'Brien, 97, of Superior, died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth. She was born in Duquette, Minn., Nov. 6, 1909, to Arthur J. Lawlor and Charlotte (Millea) Lawlor.
Gertrude attended Park Falls Public Schools through fifth grade and Sacred Heart School in Superior through eighth grade. She graduated from Superior Central High School in 1927.
She attended college at Stevens Point and Superior, earning her bachelor of education degree from Superior State College in 1931, where she was a member of the Sigma Omega Sorority.
Gertrude worked as a substitute teacher in English and French at Central High School. She also taught home economics at the Franklin School and was a dietitian at the A.W. Holland Orthopedic School. Later in life, she worked for a short time at Garon Knitting Mill in Duluth.
Gertrude was an active member of Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church and was a past member of the Cathedral Altar Society.
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She enjoyed being a homemaker. She was a consummate seamstress and enjoyed cooking and baking. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and wonderful sense of humor.
She is survived by four sons, Patrick (Kathy) O'Brien, Green Bay, John (Jane) O'Brien, West St. Paul, Minn., Thomas (Marcia) O'Brien, North Oaks, Minn., and Michael O'Brien, Tomahawk; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John T. O'Brien; her parents; a sister, Catherine M. Waggoner; and a brother, Col. John E. Lawlor.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 19 until the 11 a.m. memorial Mass in Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church. The Rev. Daniel Dahlberg will be celebrant.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers for the service will be her grandchildren.
Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
