Gertie June Harwood

About Gertie

Gertie June (Traaseth) Harwood, 93, died Sept 28, 2023.

Gertie was born in Shevlin, MN on June 7, 1930, to Peter and Alma (Olson) Traaseth. Gertie was the seventh of nine children. She grew up on the family farm six miles outside of Bagley.

Gertie met Earl Harwood at Luther League at Clearwater Lutheran Church in Shevlin. They were married on Oct 22, 1949, and moved to Estherville, IA. Gertie was a stay-at-home wife and mother learning how to perfect her cooking and baking skills. While in Estherville they welcomed two of their four children, Fay and Earl Jr. Earl Sr ’s employment took them to Battle Lake, MN where two more children were welcomed into their family, Jenny and Gail. The young family was soon moving to Buffalo, MN until in 1960 Pete Traaseth was ready to retire from dairy farming. He asked Earl Sr and Gertie if they would like to take over the farm. Although this was not high on Gertie’s list of things to do, she knew what it meant to Earl Sr so they packed up and moved their family to the farm and ran a successful dairy business for many years.

Gertie stayed at home raising her family until the late 70’s when she was asked to work in an accounting office in Bemidji for Marie Blomberg. She loved this work because she always felt “numbers” were her thing. A few years later she decided to drive school bus. She was a strict bus driver as she took her job seriously and wanted to be sure “her kids” got to school and home again safe and sound. She drove bus for 17 years.

Gertie became known around Bagley as the lady who made the best doughnuts around. For a while she sold them at a local grocery store or by order for people in the community. On one occasion her sister entered a plate of her doughnuts at the fair without mom knowing and she won a Blue Ribbon. She was very proud since she often said I couldn’t even boil water when I got married. There was always tea and baked goodies for anyone who stopped by.

Gertie is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Earl Harwood, Sr, her parents Peter and Alma Traaseth, Brothers – Goodwin, Johan, Chester and Alvin and Sisters – Pearl, Emma, and Alice and Grandson, Scott DiSano.

She will lovingly be remembered by adult children, Fay (Daniel) DiSano, Earl (Sharon) Harwood Jr, Jenny (Jeffrey) Swor, and Gail (James) Overlie. Gertie is survived by her brother Wayne (Ruth)Traaseth, sisters-in-law Dorothy Traaseth, Janet Traaseth and Helen Harwood. Grandchildren; Kevin and Brian DiSano, Adam and Rachel Swor, Philip Harwood, Jessica Mathison and Angela Masse and 18 great-grandchildren. Along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She will be remembered for her wit, warm smile and great hugs by all!

memorial service

Funeral Services for Gertie

October 7, 2023

Cease Family Funeral Home 407 Getchell Ave NE, Bagley, MN 56621, USA

Reverend Mark Olson will be officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Bagley City Cemetery.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home