Gertrude Viss

Gertrude was born on July 19, 1930 in Corsica, South Dakota to Thys and Ida Boertien Hannink. Her family moved around during the Great Depression before settling in California where she met Neil Viss. They married on November 13, 1951 in Modesto, CA. She was a supporting wife to him for 45 years before his death on May 2, 1997. In 1959, they moved to Arizona with five kids and rented a small dairy in Glendale for eight years. On February 2, 1967, the family, which had grown to nine children, moved to their own dairy on 75th & Broadway after working and saving for many years. Between milkings, many summer days were spent on the lake in the Purple People Eater boat. They would meet up with other neighboring dairy friends, enjoy time on the water while feasting on her delicious food. Gert’s faith has always been an important part of her life and after dinner each night she would read the Bible and Our Daily Bread devotional to the family as they lingered around the dinner table. They were faithful charter members of Orangewood Christian Reformed Church in Phoenix. Gert was a fantastic cook and enjoyed reading and keeping up on current events. They enjoyed traveling and both left a legacy of generosity which they never took credit for.

Gert was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Neil Viss; seven brothers, Gerrit, George, Earnest, Lloyd, Alfred, Harm, Ted Hannink; an infant sister; and four grandchildren.

Gert is survived by her children, Gail Danzeisen and husband, Clayton, Guy Viss and wife, Cindy, Glenda Kerr and husband, David, Gary Viss, Daniel Viss and wife, Susie, Janet Van Hofwegen and husband, David, Randy Viss, David Viss and wife, Mia, Karen Christopher and husband, David; sister, Alma Overweg and husband, John; sisters-in-law, Carol Hannink, Sylvia Hannink, Lois Hannink, Jan Hannink, Marge Wagner; 50 grandchildren; 88 great-grandchildren with four more on the way.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Gert Viss to Our Daily Bread Ministries, PO Box 2222, Grand Rapids, MI 4950, https://odb.org/