Gertrude Fisher Smith

Born Gertrude Heidel on August 20, 1921, to Peter and Sophia (Werner) Heidel in Kersey, CO, she was the fourth of nine children. She lived in Weld County, except for 1927 and 1928 in Port Huron, Michigan. The family moved to Loma, CO, in 1935. She graduated from Fruita Union High School in 1939 and attended Mesa Jr. College and St. Joseph School of Nursing.

Gertrude married Arthur Magee Fisher on January 16, 1942. She was the co-owner of Fisher Dairy Farm, where the present Mesa Mall and Fisher’s Liquor Barn are located. To this marriage there were eight children. While raising the children, she loved her gardening, cooking, baking, canning, and playing the piano.

Her husband, Art Fisher, passed away June 17, 1973. She moved from the farm, but always stayed in the Appleton area. On June 10, 1986, Gertrude married Lyle Smith. She loved traveling, reading, and crocheting. She was known for her hangers that she made for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed bowling until she was 93 years old! Lyle Smith passed away on April 18, 2006.

Gertrude is survived by her sister, Katherine Bottom; her children, Mary Leach (Jack – deceased), Eddie (Jerry) Smith, Lynn (Don) Cooke, Wayne (Jamie) Fisher, Shirlee (Greg) Lee, Char (Joe – deceased) Sidanycz, and Tami (Tony) Chamblee; and four step-children, Penny Rohem, Lila Kensel, Phyllis Allen, and Randy Smith. She also has grandchildren, Tracy Leach, Stacy Fulmer, Tom Studebaker, Jarrod Studebaker, Art Fisher, Sheila Polhamus, Mickie Rodgers, Walt Fisher, Brandi Pollock, Shane Lee, Ryan Lee, Nikki Summers, Connie Graham, Kathy Durand, and Ken Smith; as well as 12 step-grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Arthur Fisher and Lyle Smith; son, Frank Fisher; stepson, Dave Fisher; three grandchildren, Sandra Leach, Chris Studebaker, and Jeremy Chamblee; one great-great-grandchild, Logan Miller; and seven siblings, Rudolph, Dan, Dave, Paul, Henry, Elsie, and Marimaye.

She was active in the Moose Lodge and the Women’s American Legion Auxiliary of VFW. She also played horseshoes, where she won many awards. Gertrude loved playing cards and went on trips to Las Vegas and Mesquite. Also, numerous trips with All About Travel, including the New England states, Florida, the Panama Canal, and Alaska

Her greatest priority was love of family. She will be greatly missed, and yet live in our memories with a fondness that is well deserved.

Visitation will be from 4-6 PM Friday, October 19, at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. Services will be a 1 PM Saturday at Callahan-Edfast, followed by a graveside service at Orchard Mesa Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hopewest, 3090B N. 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506, or Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, c/o Terry Porter, 2632 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506.