----Source: Tribune-Record-Gleaner 05/04/1994

GERTRUDE NEEDHAM

Gertrude Elizabeth Needham, 88, Owen, Clark County, died on Thursday, April 28, 1994, at St. Joseph's Hospital Hospice Care in Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 2, 1994, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Town of Longwood, Withee. Rev. Larry Olson officiated. Burial was in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mark Needham, Scott Needham, Paul Needham, Richard Niemi, Jason Trober and Phillip Troiber. Honorary pallbearers were Dan Dryzer, Corey Hanson and Dave Brewster.

Gertrude Elizabeth Davey was born on Sept. 29, 1905, in Milwaukee, to Azor and Bertha (nee Larson) Davey. After her graduation from Greenwood High School in 1923, she moved to Chicago where she was employed as a domestic and also worked for Sears Roebuck Company. She married Walter J. Needham in 1926 in Greenwood. He preceded her in death on Feb. 11, 1973. After her marriage, she and her husband lived in the local areas where he taught school. A housewife, she enjoyed sewing, especially quilting, and gardening. She had lived in Owen since 1975 and was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid.

Survivors include one son, Richard (Dene) Needham, Loyal one daughter, Janet Niemi, Owen one brother, Allen Davey, Dallas, Ore. one sister, Bernice (Earl) Rohde, Jamestown, N.D. 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband her parents two brothers, Carl and John Davey and three grandsons, Bruce Needham, Brian Niemi and Jon Niemi.

Maurina Funeral Home handled the arrangements.