Gertrude Siegel

Siegel Gertrude, of St. Louis Park, 1903-2002, passed away Sunday morning at 8:30 am. Her husbands, Alexander Schampan and Samuel Siegel, 2 sisters, and a brother preceded her. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Barbara Schampan, of Edina; 2 granddaughters, Nancy Hughes and her husband John, of Deephaven, Wendy Mekler and her husband Gregg of Minnetonka; grandson, Geoffrey Schampan and his wife Lisa of Dallas; 5 great-grandsons, Brian Hughes, Steven Hughes, Christopher Schampan, Robby Schampan, and Joshua Mekler; step-granddaughters, Erin and Emily; and her niece, Theodora Sherk of Miami, FL. Gertrude, in many ways, was ahead of her time. She had her own successful business, which she started during the Depression and remained active in until she moved to Florida with her second husband, Samuel, in the 1960s. In later years her artistic talents gained expression in her creative paintings and especially in her beautiful needlework, for which she created her own designs and brilliant color combinations. Her intellectual openness, ever present, was fueled by taking classes at The New School for Social Research in New York. For many years she attended the full season of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also traveled extensively in Europe and the Orient. Her incredible talent for cross-generational communications was a gift she shared with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Until the very end of her life, she understood what was going on in their lives, and they knew she understood. Gertrude resided in New York before retiring to Florida and eventually to Minneapolis. The family wants to thank the nurses and aides of 2 South at the Sholom Home West for their compassion and care. Memorials preferred to Strothers Parkinsons Center, 6701 Country Club Drive, Golden Valley, MN 55427. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arr with Hodroff & Sons 612-871-1234

Published on July 1, 2002