Gertrude A. Ireland

Gertrude A. Ireland, 86, of Shawnee, KS, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 10:47pm, her normal bedtime. She died of congestive heart failure at KC Hospice House, KCMO. She was born May 7, 1928 in Council Bluffs, IA to Frank Jr. and Stella S. (Scherer) Aita. She attended St. Peter’s and Shawnee Mission High School. She met the love of her life, Rodney C. Ireland. They married on June 10, 1945, and were married 51 years until his death in August 1996. They started a family, moving to Shawnee in 1955, and were members of St. Joseph Parish. They enjoyed spending time with family at their lake cabin.

She will be remembered for her mothering skills and her cooking, especially Thanksgiving dinners and her Christmas cookies. Her candy dish, which was always filled to the top, will be missed by her 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents and husband, Gertrude was preceded in death by two daughters, Helen Sue and Edith Mae, brothers, Harold and Francis and their spouses. Survivors include a very devoted older sister, Helen M. Preston of Golden Valley, AZ, her children Christine Gilmore (Don), Joe Ireland (Chris), Mary Ireland, Anita Lemmon (Lonnie), and Tom Ireland, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6-8pm Thursday, March 12, at Amos Family Funeral Home, Shawnee, where the Rosary will be recited at 5:30pm.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10am, Friday, March 13, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, or Mercy and Truth Medical Mission at 5817 Nieman Rd. Shawnee, KS. 66203.