Gertie May Goodale

Gertie May Goodale, age 84, of Osage, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Mercy One North Iowa. Born in Northwood, Iowa, on February 14, 1941, Gertie was the daughter of John and Mayme (Dralla) Orvedal. Growing up on the family farm near Northwood, she was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church and graduated from Northwood-Kensett High School in 1959. Gertie then pursued further education. She then started working for A.C. Nielsen’s in Mason City. During her journey, she met the love of her life, Dale Goodale, and they tied the knot on January 6, 1968, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Haven. Gertie devoted over 22 years of her life to working at Fox River Mills before retiring and embracing the joys of being a full-time farm wife. Gertie was a proud member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Sacred Heart Guild in Osage, where she loved to connect with her community. She had a deep appreciation for nature, often found watching the wildlife from the comfort of her home in Apple Valley. A true bird enthusiast, she had a special fondness for cardinals. Gertie enjoyed the challenge of jigsaw puzzles especially with her friend Dottie Fox, along with crosswords and was never without a good book as long as it had large print. Gertie also adored coloring and had a passion for collecting her coins. She poured her creativity into embroidery, making beautiful quilts, pillows, and kitchen towels for family and friends. Cooking was another of her passions. Gertie loved to travel, taking adventures with her friends and family to visit her old acreage and places around Kensett. Gertie loved to keep busy, but her greatest joy came from making memories with family and friends, and she truly loved life.

Gertie is survived by her daughter, Daisy Huffman (Scott Bell) of Forest City, IA, and children, Joshua (Heather) Huffman and their children, Justin and Abigail Huffman of Osage, IA, Aleesa Schwartz and her children, Elaina, Adalynne, and Victoria Schwartz of Klemme, IA, Ken (Libby) Bell of Garner, IA, Allie Bell and her child, Jamie of Garner, IA; son, Dale (Jill) Goodale of Osage, IA, and children, Destinee (Haley) Smith and their child, Winter Smith of Rhinelander, WI, Tyler Goodale of Osage, IA; daughter, Dawn (Mike) Adams of Osage, IA, and children, Trisha (Mike) Mack and their children, Scarlett and Aurora Mack of Rudd, IA, Nathen Adams of Osage, IA; daughter, Dana Kiefer (Shawn Lee) of Marble Rock, IA, and children, Nicole Kiefer of West Chester, OH and Noah Kiefer of Marble Rock, IA; son, David (Tami) Goodale of Osage, IA, and children, Chloe (Michael) Nielsen and their children, Oaklee and Aksel Nielsen of Forest City, IA, Justin Goodale of Osage, IA; foster son, Cody (Monica) Carlson of Osage, IA, and children, Hailey (Tylor) Kobliska and their child, Kamdyn Kobliska of Ionia, IA, Brooke Carlson and her child, Hadler Bergan of Floyd, IA, Trenton (Mackenzie) Carlson and their child, Wendell Carlson of Osage, IA, Averee Carlson, and Chet Carlson; four sisters-in-law, Judy Orvedal of Blue Earth, MN, Arlene (Curt) Fox of Osage, IA Veronica Goodale of Manly, IA and Joan Goodale of Plymouth, IA, brother-in-law, Matt “Junior” Klassen of Bloomington, MN. Gertie was preceded in death by her husband, Dale E. Goodale; parents, John and Mayme Orvedal; brothers, John Orvedal and Dennis (Helen) Orvedal; sister, Carolyn (Richard) Thayer; mother and father in-law, Burl and Lillian Goodale; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kenny (Ruby) Goodale, Bill Goodale, Vernon (Marlene) Goodale, Viola Klassen, Dean Goodale and Irene (Chuck) Johnson. 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. The visitation will take place at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service. The burial will be held at the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Champion Funeral Home of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.