Gertrude H. Fox, age 103, of Elwood, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at Elwood Care Center in Elwood, Nebraska.   She was born on a farm south of Elwood, Nebraska on March 4, 1912 to Fred H. & Rose A. (Berndt) Harm. 

She was the 5^th child in a family of six. She was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church south of Elwood, Nebraska and at the age of 5 attended school in District 16 for grades 1-6 and then attended parochial school in 7th & 8^th grade. She attended Elwood High School and graduated with a class of 21 in 1930. She had earned her certificate to teach in rural school for 3 years. She taught in District 16 Gosper County for 2 years and then taught at Wilkeyville, District 53 in Gosper County for 1 year. Her certificate expired and she went to Hastings College to renew it for 3 more years. She continued to teach in the Wilkeyville School for 3 more years.

 She met Ralph Fox of Smithfield, Nebraska and were united in marriage on March 7, 1936. She discontinued teaching and they moved on the family farm which they later purchased and lived there for 54 years while being active in all the farming chores. She was very active in the neighborhood affairs. She belonged to PTA in school and the neighborhood Merry Mixer Club and card club for 50 years. She enjoyed dancing.

In 1938, she joined St. John’s Catholic Church in Smithfield, Nebraska of which she was a member of until her passing. She was very active in her church. She held various offices in the Altar Society and was director of the Church Choir for many years. She was a member of the Catholic Ladies DCCW and held the office of International Affairs for 17years. She was very interested in working for the Missions and was honorary member of the Columban Father Missionary Society of Columbus. In 1993, they sold the farm and bought a home in Elwood, Nebraska. Ralph passed away in 2003 and she continued to live at home until moving to Elwood Care Center and Assisted Living in 2015.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph, brothers Lester, Clarence, William, Paul, and one sister Hilda Stark.

She is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Condolences or personal reflections may be left at elwoodfuneralhome.com. 

Viewing and visitation will be Thursday, September 3, 2015, from 4 PM until 8 PM at the Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood, Nebraska and prior to Rosary at the church.  Rosary will be Thursday, September 4, 2015 at 2 PM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Smithfield, Nebraska. Mass will be Friday, September 4, 2015, at 3 PM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Smithfield, Nebraska with Father Thomas Lux, officiating.  Interment will be at the Elwood Cemetery, at Elwood, Nebraska. Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.