Gertrude Walsh (nee Gehman), age 95, of Manitowoc, formerly of Sheboygan, peacefully left this earth on January 23, 2026. She was born on December 26, 1930 in Doylestown, PA, to Wilmer and Elizabeth Gehman, the first of 14 children.
Gert is survived by her life partner of 23 years, Keith Rowe of Manitowoc, WI; her children Nancy (Eric) Ehrke of Pewaukee, WI; Linda Schilling of Neshkoro, WI; Kenneth Walsh of Fox Point, WI; Joanne (Mike Naglich) Field of Efland, NC; Peggy Fleet of Mills, WY; Sandra (Yves Dareau) Walsh of Basse-Terre Guadeloupe and Pamela Walsh of Manitowoc, WI. She is further survived by 32 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, siblings, other family and many friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse W. Walsh, her parents, several siblings, sons-in-law Dennis Schilling and James Fleet and daughter-in-law Cheryl Walsh.
Gert made the most of her 95 years. She graduated from University of Pennsylvania as a Registered Nurse and married Jesse W. Walsh in 1951. She and Jesse raised 7 children.
During her nursing career, Gert worked at a small maternity hospital in Milwaukee, WI, as an industrial nurse at A. O. Smith in Milwaukee, WI, at a Sheboygan, WI hospital, and as an industrial nurse at Kohler Company in Kohler, WI. Gert was active in Girl Scouts well beyond the time her daughters were still in scouts. She served as cookie chairman, as a nurse at Camp Evelyn in Plymouth, WI for many years and as a nurse at a Girl Scout camp in Alaska one summer. Gert was active in her church, loved riding her bicycle as much as possible, organized fund raisers, etc.
She accomplished amazing milestones throughout her retired years. Gert volunteered with Red Cross, most notably serving in New York City twice after 9/11 and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In 1996 Gert spent 6 months in Guineau-Bissau Africa through World Church Services to help set up a clinic. Gert and 23 other women toured the Middle East for a month to study women and religion as part of Presbyterian Women’s Group Global Misson Exchange in 1999. She traveled to Barranquilla Columbia, South America in 2007 through the Presbyterian Church Columbia Accompaniment program. She then traveled the Midwest presenting her “Just Call Me Gert” lectures.
She was honored to receive the Lifestream Woman of the Year Award in 1997, and a Distinguished Service Award from Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization in 2005.
Gert was always up for adventure. She participated in the Ragbrai Ride, a 500 mile bike ride across Iowa at age 64, went tandem sky-diving at 77, whitewater rafting at 77, and attempted zip lining at 78. She enjoyed road trips with Keith, friends and family in her 2000 red Ford Mustang convertible. Owning this vehicle was a lifelong dream of Gert’s since she was 16 years old. This dream came true for her just after her 69th birthday in the year 2000.
The family would like to extend a special “Thank you” to both The Lake House Assisted Living Center and Hospice staff for their exceptional care of our mom!
A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1429 N 5th St. in Sheboygan, on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., with Reverend Cyndy Little officiating. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The service will also be available via livestream. Please visit the Ballhorn Chapels website just prior to the start of services to access the livestream option.
In lieu of flowers, donations requested to Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization of Sheboygan, Girl Scouts of Manitou Council of Sheboygan or First Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan.
Ballhorn Chapels is assisting the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting our website at www.ballhornchapels.com.
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