Obituary: Gertrude Marinelli

As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:

Hancock

Gertrude Marinelli, 86, a resident of Hancock passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020 surrounded by her family at the Omega House in Houghton following a short illness.

She was born on November 15, 1933 in Chassell, MI., a daughter of the late Gottfried and Martha (Hoffman) Rothenberger. Gert was raised in the Chassell area and attended the Chassell Schools and worked on the family strawberry farm.

Gertrude was united in marriage to Thomas Willis on August 11, 1951 and they traveled the United States for a few years before they parted as friends. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Luusua on July 22, 1955. The couple parted after 15 years together. On May 22, 1971, she was united in marriage to August “Gus” Marinelli. The couple resided in Hancock.

Mrs. Marinelli worked in the kitchen at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hancock for many years retiring as the kitchen supervisor. She had also worked as a cook for Nutini’s Supper Club in Hancock.

Gertrude was a member of St. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton. She had a great sense of humor and enjoyed working in her garden and working on various crafting projects. She loved her children and grandchildren so very much and loved to visit with her many friends.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Gus Marinelli; her daughter Lynn Marinelli; her Grandchildren; Robert John Voght, Stacy Renee Pindral; her siblings Alfred, Irving, (the seven siblings who died in the Portage Entry fire on February 14, 1926 Freida, Elsie, Martha, William, Ruth, Paul, Lydia) Jenny, 2 baby siblings, Gottfried, and Otto Rothenberger, Elizabeth Tapani, and Esther Ohtonen.

Surviving are:
Her children: Marsha (Stefan) Wisniewski of Painesdale
William (Cindy) Marinelli of Twin Lakes
Marti (Robert) Rashleigh of Painesdale
Janey (Walter) Pindral of Painesdale
Freida (Tim) Lahti of Tampa, FL
Her grandchildren: Jerry Wisniewski, Stephanie Krieger, Susan Christensen, Tanya Maki, Alexis Snell, Angelica Hebert, Ashley Sudderth, Stefan Wisniewski, Ryan Marinelli, Robyn Harma, Sherri Holmgren, Robert Rashleigh, Jennifer Houser, Courney Beaudette, Timothy Rashleigh, Christopher Pindral, Michael Pindral, Dustin Pindral, Chelsey Pindral, Robert Paul Voght, Jessica Trevethan, Heather Manninen, and Holly Alcaz; 50 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for Gert will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at St. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton with Rev. Aaron Gehrke to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.

Friends may call on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, from 11:00 am until time of services at St. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton.

Gert’s family would like to thank the staff of the Omega House for the tender care given to her during her stay and special friends Peggy Pizzi and Helen Peil.

To view Gert’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock are assisting the family with the arrangements.