Lula Gertrude DaSo

Lula Gertrude DaSo –Born April 28, 1927 and left us on October 24, 2020. She is survived by her two sons, Lawrence (spouse -Veronica) and Rick (Spouse Debbra), 4 grandchildren, Sebastian, Chad, Jonathan, and Anthony and 2 great grandchildren, Maddox and Kimbra.

Lula Gertrude DaSo was the second of four children of William Henry Blanton and Grace Edna Bratcher. Born April 28, 1927 at home in Toledo Ohio. She was named after her father's sister, Lula. She had three brothers, Bill, George and Harry. She grew up during the depression and her High School years were during WW2. She graduated from Whitney Vocational High School in June of 1945. She began working at Daso Bakery in September of 1944 where she would meet her husband, Robert after being discharged from the Army. She married Robert on August 20, 1949 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. Bob and Gert had two sons, Larry, born 1950 and Rick born 1954. Bob and Gert were married 55 years when Bob passed away in 2005.

Some of Gert’s many hobbies included Oil painting, Water Colors, Pastels, Chalk, China painting, Glass Lamp painting, sagged glass, sewing, her book of memories and the Family Tree. She was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts when the boys were young. She was a member of the International Porcelain Art Teachers, World Organization of China Painters, Florida State Teachers and Clearwater China Painters Club. She taught China painting for many years beginning in 1975 in Toledo and continued after moving to Clearwater Florida in 1976. She taught 4 classes a week for 35 students as well as teaching 3 day seminars. She wrote many articles with photos for 3 different publications.

She loved to get out if only to go for a ride. We would drive along the Maumee River in the fall to see the foliage and at Christmas to see all the lights and decorations. Mom would say, “If you don’t want me to go, don’t ask me.” She would never say no.

When Larry would pick her up in Florida to travel back to his home in Atlanta, the trip always took longer with the usual stops at various antique stores. The Cracker Barrel restaurant was another stop on the way. She would order “Chicken and Dumplings with a side of Dumplings” and always checked out the Country Store.

Gertrude never missed a graduation or special event for the grandchildren. She wanted to be there for all of them.

She had many accomplishments throughout her life, but one that was most significant was her role as mom and grandma. She always put their needs above all else. Family was most important to her and she always made birthdays, Christmas and all holidays very special every year, without exception.

Nothing says it better than a short story she wrote titled, “Treasures”.

She writes, “In hunting for old photos and clippings in a box, I came across a few cards and gifts that the boys had made in school for special holidays like Christmas, Mother’s day, and Easter. Of course I save everything. I can’t bear to throw out or give away something that someone I love has given to me and it is extra special if they have made it themselves. I have lumps of clay with handprints, paper weights with photos, candle stick holders, and beautiful cards with a lot of glitter and to make them more precious, the words are sometimes misspelled. Now the boys are grown and have families of their own. I’m now receiving these same precious gifts from my grandsons. Paintings and drawings with, “I love you Grandma”, written on them.

After I’m gone and you find these in my treasure box, remember, to me they really are treasures and represented a very special time in my life. A time when you were young and you made gifts with love and gave them to me for the joy of giving.

She wrote this on November 11, 1988.

In her Memory book (Dec. 1959) she wrote, “You are never poor if you have children. The wealth of happiness they give, money can’t buy”.

When moving from her home, we came across the “Box of Treasures” that she talks about. She truly did keep these items, some as long as 60 plus years.

The grandchildren were so important to Gertrude. She wanted to be involved in their lives from the moment they were born. The grandkids spent many nights sleeping over at Grandma’s house. She had a special way with kids and always seemed able to entertain them and keep their attention for hours on end. From painting and crafts, to getting on the floor to play cars or games, she was always ready and willing. The grandkids loved her for that and she never turned them away. She created so many wonderful memories for all that knew her. From her children, grandchildren and their families to friends, co-workers, art students and the members of The Red Hat Society, she always gave all of herself in everything she did.

Another quote from a story about her grandmother titled, “Green Gumdrops”, she writes, “We become what our past experiences have contributed to our lives and I thank Grandma for so many beautiful memories. We loved her.”

It goes without saying that Gertrude gave all of us so many wonderful memories that have molded us into the individuals we have become. Her presence in our lives has had a positive impact, as did her grandmother in her life.

A true expression of Gertrude’s character was displayed in her care of Bob, her husband of 55 years. Bob developed Alzheimer’s disease and Gertrude became a care giver. For over 8 years, she made certain that he had everything he needed. She took him to church every Sunday as long as she was able. Most days, she would put Bob in the car and just take a drive. She would say how much he enjoyed it. She would stop and get something for lunch and go to the park to watch the ducks and just enjoy the outdoors. There came a point at which she could no longer care for him and decided to put him in a nursing home. It broke her heart. She visited him twice a day to make sure he was receiving the needed care. At one point, she moved him to another facility because the care was not sufficient. She would take him treats, like strawberry short cake and other things she knew he loved. She dedicated those 8 years to Bob without a second thought. She would say, “He would do the same for me”.

Gertrude was always so thankful for the life she had. She would speak of her wonderful parents, Henry and Edna, three brothers, Bill, George and Harry, her husband Bob of 55 years, 2 sons, Larry and Rick, 4 grandchildren, Sebastian, Chad, Jonathan and Anthony and 2 great grandchildren, Maddox and Kimbra. She would often speak of her 2 daughter-in-law’s, Veronica and Debbra and how much she loved them both. She would reminisce about the family parties, garage sales, shopping, the many camping trips, making Christmas cookies every year, as well as, travel to Mexico for Larry and Veronica’s wedding, driving to California for Rick’s graduation, and traveling to Sebastian and Jonathan’s graduations. When the boys were in Basic Training and college, she would write letters and always keep them in her daily thoughts and prayers. They always appreciated hearing from grandma. She worked hard at making every moment count.

Gertrude was the definition of what a Mother should be.

A poem by Washington Irving says it all:

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials,

heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes

the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us

in our sunshine desert us when troubles thicken around us;

still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts

and counsel to dissipate the clouds of darkness,

and cause peace to return to our hearts.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home 7950 131st Street N., Seminole, Florida 33776 / 727-391-0121.