Gemma Meyer

Gemma R. Meyer, age 91, resident of Detroit Lakes, MN, died Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes under Care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:00 AM Saturday, December 20 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, Father Jerry Rogers officiating. Interment will be in the spring at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Ogema., MN.  Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, December 19 at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes.

Gemma Rose Young was born September 4, 1917 in Perham, MN to Joseph and Mary (Tibodeau) Young. She attended public school in Ogema before graduating from Waubun High School in 1935. Gemma married George Meyer on September 4, 1941 at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Ogema. George was a carpenter, while Gemma started working at the Erie 34 Club in Detroit Lakes before later going to work at Erie Jr. in Detroit Lakes. She worked in Detroit Lakes until she was 65 years old. While working at the restaurant during the evenings, Gemma also had a job during the day as a cook at the Ogema Public School. Throughout her life she had traveled to Arizona, Washington D.C., and Oregon. She volunteered a large amount of her time for her church, participating and assisting with many activities. Gemma enjoyed knitting, plastic crafts, visiting friends and family, and taking long walks. She also loved reading a good Western novel.

Gemma will be lovingly remembered by her children, Michael (Margie) Meyer of Duluth, MN, Paul (Mary) Meyer of Virginia, MN, Roberta (Leslie) Mischke of Waubun, MN, Anthony Meyer of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Mary Jo (M.J.) of North Carolina and Timothy (Janene) of Dutch John, Utah; daughter-in-law, Gracie Meyer of Wadena, MN; as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gemma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; one son, Patrick; two daughters, Mary Louise and Louise Mary; brother, Al; and six sisters, Esther, Corrine, Perditta, Victoria, twin-sisters, Mary Louise and Louise Mary.