Gertrude Cordes

Gertrude M. Cordes, age 88, of Richland Township, rural Rice County, died at her home on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 following a brief illness.             Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 11, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault, with Rev. Craig Breimhorst, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Faribault, officiating. Interment will be at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.             Gertrude Mary Giefer, the daughter of Hubert and Lillian (Kolterman) Giefer, was born at home in Forest Township, Rice County on March 22, 1922. She married George Cordes on December 11, 1946 in Albert Lea, MN. She and George were married for 57 years and farmed in Richland Township. He preceded her in death on April 3, 2004. Gertrude was a wife, mother, and farm partner all of her married life. She enjoyed cooking, canning, baking, gardening, sewing and embroidery. Her pride and joy was raising and caring for her chickens.             She is survived by three children, Lawrence F. Giefer (Noreen) of Faribault, George Gary Cordes (special friend, Deb Hovland) of Medford, and Joyce Cordes (special friend, Wayne Christofferson) of Faribault; grandson, Lawrence Giefer Jr. (Joan); three great granddaughters; step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; and one step great great grandson; brother, William Giefer of Northfield; her dog, Jasper; and other relatives and friends.             She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers and sisters, Catherine Magedanz, Joseph Giefer, Ernest Giefer, Gerald Giefer, Anna Marie Steckel, and Mary Alice Giefer; and daughter-in-law, Marlene Giefer.