Ola Mae Gurtler

Ola Mae Gurtner, 89, of Idaho Falls, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2008. She was born to Charles Edgar Garrett and Martha Elizabeth Sherrill in Salado, Ark., on Jan. 29, 1919.

Ola grew up on a small farm in Arkansas where she learned the value of work at an early age. During World War II she contributed to the war effort working in an ammunition

plant. For many years after she also worked as a waitress in Moses Lake.

Ola married Wm. Oldridge in 1945. They later divorced. She married Al Harrington. They later divorced. She married Jack Gurtler. They later divorced.

Ola moved from Arkansas to Walla Walla in 1945. In 1951 she relocated to Moses Lake. For the last 10 months Ola has lived in the Gables Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Ola is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved her ward in Moses Lake and has spent numerous hours working on family history. Gardening and sewing were two of her favorite hobbies. She has belonged to many gardening clubs and volunteered many years of service to the Humane Society in Moses Lake, (The Calico Cat).

Every family member has a Grandma Ola quilt. Each time a new baby was bom in the family, she provided a baby quilt custom made by Grandma Ola. Time was precious to her and was never wasted. She was truly a pioneer in so many ways. Her family will be forever grateful for the skills she taught and shared.

Ola is survived by two sons, Charles Woodruff and Darrell Oldridge of Moses Lake, two daughters, Mary Blake of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Valerie Sue Boston of Seattle, 15 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Ola was preceded in death by her mother and father, two brothers, one sister, and one great-grandson. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 14 in Moses Lake at the Nelson Road LDS Chapel, 1849 E. Nelson Rd. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Creekside Home Health and Hospice, 3688 Washington Parkway. Arrargements are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home.

Condolences for the family may be left online at www.buckmillerhann.com.