Gertrude J. Sowa, age 83 of Manistee, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility in Manistee after a hard battle with Parkinson's Disease.

She was born on June 17, 1938 in Grant Township, Michigan daughter of the late Stephen A. and Caroline (Maske) Newman.  Gertrude married Joseph "Joe" Sowa on August 23, 1958 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee, he preceded her in death on May 26, 1999.She grew up on a farm and attended a one room schoolhouse and later attended St. Joseph High School, graduating with the class of 1956.  She was an Operator at Michigan Bell Telephone early in life then became a "stay at home" mom and homemaker for her family.  Later she was employed as a Home Health Aide for Munson Home Health Care in Manistee.  Gertie volunteered a lot of her time helping out with the community, Five Cap, the Polish Festival, Making Paczki at Manistee Catholic Central and the free Community Dinner's at St. Joseph Parish.  She loved being outdoors and especially loved her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. She was a member of the Divine Mercy Parish of Manistee, and a member of the St. Joseph Rosary Society.

She is survived by her kids, Mike, Yvonne, Jeannie (Edmo) and Jeff (Michelle), her grandkids, Danielle, Brandi, Karlee, Troy (Amanda) and Landin, great grandkids, Faith, Chase, Serenity & Conor, her sisters Marilyn Perski and Vernie Kolk.  Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive her.

She was preceded in death in addition to her parents by her husband Joe, brother & sister-in-law, Steve & Aggie Newman, brother Bob, sister & brother-in-law Rose & Al Kramp, brother-in-law Dean Kolk, niece Denise Myers and brother's-in-law and sister's-in-law. on the Sowa side of the family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 12:00 noon. at Divine Mercy Parish in Manistee. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee.

The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday morning from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral mass at 12:00 noon.

Those wishing to remember Gertie are asked to consider a donation to the family  in her name to Michigan Parkinsons Foundation or American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the church.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.