CHETOPA — Gertrude K. “Gertie” Gail, 91, of Chetopa died at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Chetopa Manor, where she had resided the past four years.

She was born on Sept. 18, 1919, in Welch, Okla., to Charley and Clara (McGhee) Kepner. As a young girl, she attended Cook Country School, Chetopa Elementary School and Chetopa High School. 

She married Frank M. Gail on Dec. 22, 1941, in Labette City.

While her husband was serving his country during World War II, she worked at the post office and later at the Kansas Ordnance Plant. Through the years, she especially enjoyed her life as a homemaker and mother. For many years, she and a friend did custom wallpapering in and around Chetopa. 

She was a member of First Christian Church in Chetopa. She enjoyed sewing, making clothes for her family and quilting. Following her husband’s retirement, they enjoyed many guided bus tours and flew to California numerous times to visit relatives.

Survivors include a daughter, Dixie Collins and her husband, Ray, of Chetopa; a sister, Thelma Hall, of Chetopa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Gail, on Feb. 17, 2001.

The service will be at 3 p.m. today at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday.

Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church in Chetopa and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, 67336.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.