Gertrude Sylla

Gertrude “Gertie” Sylla, 94, of Independence, died Monday, August 8, 2011 at Tri-County Memorial Hospital, Whitehall. Gertie was born November 18, 1916 in Independence to Roman and Christine (Reck) Smieja. She married Casey Olejniczak in Milwaukee. They had one daughter, Barbara. Following his death, she married Anton “Tony” Sylla in Milwaukee. They had five daughters. Gertie was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, its Women’s Organization and the funeral luncheon committee. She loved gardening, cooking and her family was very important to her. She enjoyed getting together with the “coffee ladies” at the restaurant. Gertie is survived by two daughters, Barbara (David) Gorski of Milwaukee and Karen (special friend, Bill Horton) Sylla of Independence; one brother, Wilfred “Willie” (Evelyn) Smieja of Independence; a son-in-law, Johnny Beatty of Leesburg, Fla.; four grandchildren, Michael (Julie) Gorski, Steven (Stacey) Gorski, Tina (Greg) David and John (Alice) Beatty; and nine great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husbands; four daughters, Sharon Beatty and three infants; two brothers, Rudolph and Vitus Smieja and a sister. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2011 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with Rev. Woodrow H. Pace officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary, at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gertrude Sylla, please visit our flower store.