Gertrude (Gertie) Kathleen Crosson
February 21, 1922 - January 23, 201
As published in the February 8, 2016 World-Spectator
Gertrude Crosson was born February 21, 1922 in Estevan, Saskatchewan and passed away January 23, 2016.
Gertie was the first child of Thomas and Greta Axten, and was a sister to Irene Buckand, Bernice Purdy and Elvin Axten (all deceased).
She is survived by her youngest sister Marjorie and Robert (Bob) Fletcher of Swift Current and sister-in-law Norma Axten, residing in Maple Ridge, B.C.
She married Joseph Robert Ernest Crosson (Ernie) August 2, 1944 in the Fleming United Church. They had five children: Carole, Robert (Bobby) (deceased) Carman, Shirley and Verna.
Gertie was the proud grandmother to eight grandchildren—Robert, Pamela, Deanne and Jeremy, Jonathan, Shawn, Shawn and Kathy—and had 10 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Mom grew up in Minton, Saskatchewan with her family.
In those days things were tough, and all the children had to work to help the family survive.
Mom being the eldest spoke often of gathering cow chips for fuel, plowing the fields with a horse and plow, and, as a student, getting up early in the morning, milking cows then picking up neighbor kids and going to school.
One story Mom remembered was when Grandma went into labor with Aunt Marge. Mom had to catch her horse and ride to where Grandpa was working. He in turn had to get the midwife.
Mom always said “hard work never hurt anyone,” and as everyone knows she lived that motto—Mom worked hard at whatever she did.
Things were not improving and the Axten families could not all survive on the land they had. Tom, Greta and their family moved to Moosomin in 1937. Mom, Aunt Irene and Grandpa, with their horses, wagon with supplies and possessions, herded their cattle across the prairie to Moosomin, which took four days, settling in the Little Bluff area.
Mom was in her teens at that time, and attended school at Little Bluff. She and Aunt Irene set up a stooking team, followed by working with the threshing gang so they had work. Mom would speak of the fun they had, as she loved working outdoors.
From there she worked for a few years at Virtue’s store. Mom easily made friends and often spoke of Merle Crosson and Uldine McAuley. She also loved to dance. She and her horse Charlie would head out to Stanley, Little Bluff or other local dances and she said Charlie would always take her straight home—she so loved that horse and spoke of him often as well her dog Queenie that was also very special to her.
It was during this time she became friends with our dad, Ernie Crosson. They were married August 2, 1944. Mom had a wonderful busy life having her family.
She loved the outside, helping with the cattle, chickens, pigs, milking the cows, working in her large garden, taking lunch to the threshing site, picking berries, baking and canning. Mom was also a great housekeeper, cook and hostess, usually having Christmas with as many as 30 for dinner.
Mom’s life turned upside down on April 24, 1966 when she received a call that her son Bobbie (Robert) had been killed in a car accident at the age of 18 years. This was devastating for her, Dad and all our family.
As Dad got older they moved to Moosomin. She soon became involved with a number of organizations.
Over the years Mom was involved with the Legion, of which she became a lifetime member; the United Church, working in the kitchen making sandwiches for events or whatever was required, and driving neighbors to church; the Drop-in Centre helping with events, especially Bingo; being Santa at the Kinability; as well as watching and supporting Dad and helping out at the curling rink.
We lost dad in 1983, but mom had the wonderful support of her family, friends, the community, and shortly after the love of her puppy/dog, Tippy.
With time on her hands mom got herself a job at a local motel. It gave her something to do filling in time. She had fun with the ladies she worked with and was still young in her fifties.
Once mom retired from her job she had a busy coffee schedule in the morning at the Squire with Ruth McGonigal and her many other friends, in the afternoon at Yiu’s with Gwen Frape, and many others who dropped by.
In 2010 Mom chose to go into the Centennial seniors home. This, though hard, was not nearly as traumatic as losing her license to drive, but as bad as it was she did not let it stop her with the exception of going to the Squire for coffee—she had her Cadillac (walker).
In Sept. 2014 mom moved to the Moosomin nursing home. She said she could never ask for a better place to live. Like Centennial she had friends there that she knew most of her life. She felt cared for and loved until the day she left us.
Mom was a very special caring, person, a great sister, good friend, wonderful neighbor, but most of all a wonderful wife and partner to Dad and an amazing mother to us kids.
We love you.
Interment was at Sunset Memorial Gardens Moosomin.
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