Submitted by: Dan Rich

Gertrude E. Prentkowski

Nov. 29, 1920 - March 29, 2008

South Bend Tribune 3/30/2008
SOUTH BEND - Gertrude E. Prentkowski, 87, of South Bend, passed away at 12:50 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008, in Hospice House, South Bend. Mrs. Prentkowski was born on November 29, 1920, in South Bend, to the late Orb and Bertha (Shawn) Smith. She had been a lifelong resident of South Bend, living in Arizona for five years from 1980-1985.

On February 21, 1942, in Seattle, WA, she married Ernest C. Prentkowski, who survives. Along with her husband of 66 years, survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Roger L. and Jeanne Prentkowski of South Bend; two grandchildren, Robert and Kelly Prentkowski of North Liberty, Sandy and Woody Woodiwiss of Osceola; and four great-grandchildren, Taylor and Tori Woodiwiss, Mitchell and Tyler Prentkowski. One sister, Ethel Lawson, preceded her in death. Mrs. Prentkowski retired in 1980 from K-Mart. She was a wonderful homemaker. Mrs. Prentkowski was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, South Bend. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed flower gardening.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 31, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend. Rev. David Schrader, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. today (Sunday, March 30) in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Gertrude E. Prentkowski may be made to Hospice House, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.