Gertrude Alice Jarolimek

BURLEY – Gertrude Alice Horky Jarolimek, 96, of Burley, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013.

She was born in Ipswich, S.D., on April 9, 1917. Being a child of Czech immigrant parents, she lived and cherished the Czech culture her entire life. Gertrude attended and graduated from college with a degree in education. In 1942, she became a school teacher in a one-room school house in Dorchester, Neb. She was so proud of this experience and spoke of it often to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout her life.

On Aug. 11, 1942, Gertrude married Robert Jarolimek in Crete, Neb. Together they raised four children, LeRoy (Peggy) Jarolimek, David (Karen) Jarolimek, Bonnie (Alan) Smith, and Terry Jarolimek. In 1947, they moved to Clover Track, Idaho, and farmed until they moved to Rupert in 1954. In 1963, they moved to Burley where Gertrude and Robert cleared the land and built a beautiful home and farm that is still a part of their family.

Gertrude enjoyed cooking, sewing, and gardening. She was an advocate for the 4-H program and continued until late in life to enter her foods and jams, quilts, and flowers at the Cassia County Fair, where she would receive Best of Show year after year.

Gertrude also loved bowling, traveling, and playing Bridge with her friends. She was a member of a bowling league in Burley for many years, and remained active into her late 80s with weekly Bridge club events and lunches at the local senior citizen center.

Gertrude and Robert had ten grandchildren, Jeffrey, Ronnie, Mark, Danel, Brian, Brett, Stacy, Josh, Kelly, and Jamie; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Family was always very important to Gertrude. All of her grandchildren loved sleeping over at her home, sometimes all ten of them at the same time, where they would spend time playing on the farm and cooking with grandma. Everyone loved to visit Robert and Gertrude’s farm in Idaho, and family members visited often from Nebraska and South Dakota. She always looked forward to their visits with great joy, and couldn’t wait for their return. She hosted a family party for nearly every holiday, and never failed to provide traditional Czechoslovakian dishes, like kolaches, which everyone looked forward to every time.

Gertrude is survived by her children, LeRoy, David and Bonnie; and many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Jarolimek, who she loved faithfully her whole life; her son, Terry Jarolimek; her son-in-law, Alan Smith; and her grandchildren, Mark and Brett Jarolimek.

Gertrude was an amazing person, wife, mother, and friend. Her children and grandchildren’s lives were greatly blessed because they had the opportunity to know her and learn from her. She always had a meal prepared when you were hungry, and made everyone feel they were special and the most important (regardless of what she had planned to do that day). She has moved on to be with those who went before her, but for those of us who remain, she will be greatly missed. We love you Grandma Gertie!

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at the Grace Community Church, 100 N. Meridian Rd., in Rupert, with Pastor Travis Turner officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.