Ishpeming- Gertrude Rytilahti, age 90 longtime Greenwood location resident, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the Bell Hospital. She had been a resident at the Mather Nursing Center for the past 5 years.

Gertrude was born February 29, 1920 in Humboldt Twp. the daughter of the late Matt & Hilda (Kilponen) Autio. She had graduated from Champion High School. Gertrude worked for many years for the H.W. Gossard Co. as a seamstress, and also helped her husband run Autio's General Store in Humboldt. Later in life she attended Northern Michigan University and received an associate degree in art at age 70. Gertrude enjoyed oil painting, and for several years she displayed and sold paintings at "Art on the Rocks." She had also worked at Marquette General Hospital in the business office under the "Green Thumb Program."


Gertrude was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, where she had been and active participant in the WELCA, along with teaching Sunday school. She loved to do craftwork including sewing, knitting and crocheting. She also enjoyed the outdoors, spending time at camp, which included time spent cross country skiing or snow-shoeing to get there in the winter months.

Gertrude is survived by 2 daughters - Sharon Usher of Northport, MI and Rojean Rawlings of Lakeland, FL, 4 grandchildren - Steffani (Greg) Green Leaf, Rebecca (Thai) Bui, Marnie (Ray) Selvidio, and Chelsea Rawlings, 2 great grandchildren, Heather Bui and Brianna Selvidio, along with a niece and several nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Reino Rytilahti in 2009, and two brothers – Theodore and William Autio.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2010 from 5 until 6pm at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming where funeral services will be held at 6:00pm with Rev. Lauri O. Maki officiating. Interment will take place in the Humboldt Twp Cemetery.