Gertrude E. West, age 88, earned her wings and entered her heavenly home on Monday, December 7, 2020, at Cloud County Health Center, Concordia, Kansas. She was born on July 9, 1932, near Linn, Kan., to John G. & Mary Louise (Menard) King.
Gertrude graduated from Clifton High School, Class of 1950, and she then moved to Concordia in 1954.
She married Donald A. Baltazor on May 13, 1955, and they later divorced. She later married Carl A. West, Sr. on Feb. 15, 1972, and they later divorced.
For many years she was self-employed, taking in ironing so that she could be home caring for the children. She was later employed at the Skyliner Restaurant as a dishwasher until Nov. 25, 1972. In 1975, she started work at Sunset Nursing Home as a medication aide for 19 years and then a nurses' aide for 13 years until she retired on June 6, 2007, at her 75th birthday. She was a member of the Victory Faith Assembly of God Church, Concordia.
She is survived by her daughter, Maxine Peterson, Grand Island, Neb.; sons, Kenny (Sandy) Baltazor, Taylor, Neb. & Bradley West (Ron Barry), Independence, Mo.; step-sons, Carl A. West, Jr., Topeka, Kan., Albert (Julia) West, Topeka, Kan., Bill West, Wichita, Kan. & ex-daughter-in-law, Dawna West; seven grandchildren, Bill Peterson, Christina Peterson, Regina Wyss, Brandon Baltazor, Brett Baltazor, Justin West & Jamie West & five great-grandchildren, Lucy & Leon Wyss, Michael Peterson, Jackson Hoops & Carson Baltazor.
She was preceded in death by her parents & spouses, 12 older siblings--Gertrude was the baby of the family--sisters, Nellie King, Mary Marriott, Rose Hicks, Josephine DeMaris, Margaret Brown & brothers, Aloysius, George, Thomas, Joseph, David, John & Ralph King & grandchildren, Jon Michael Peterson & Renee Peterson.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2020, at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, with Pastor Rick Barrett officiating. Burial will follow at St. Concordia Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. with family greeting from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to Midwest Transplant Network in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
