Gertrude P. Sawtells, age 94, of Oroville died July 13 at North Valley Extended Care in Tonasket. She was born July 18, 1916 in Allen, Nebraska to Alfred and Maude Borg. Gertrude grew up in and around Dixson, attending school in the area and graduating from Wakefield High School in 1933. She moved to the Oroville area with her sister and brother in law Ellen and Lester Roberts. On December 31, 1936 she married Alden Sawtells at the Oroville Methodist Parsonage. She and Alden loved to square dance. One of her pride and joys was spending time with family at the cabin at Lost Lake. She lived in Oroville until entering North Valley Extended Care. Gertrude loved doing sewing and craft work and making the clothes for the Raggedy Ann dolls at Oroville United Methodist Church.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, WSCS, Rebekah Lodge, and Oroville Senior Center

4 children: Judy and Ken Ripley of Oroville, Marilyn Toth of Osoyoos, BC, Peggy and Richard Weddle of Tonasket and Kathy Sawtells of Cheney

1 sister: Ellen Roberts of Tonasket

2 Sisters-in-law: Gladys Bolton of Tacoma and Frances Borg of Lubbock, TX

9 Grandchildren 20 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by her husband Alden, 2 brothers: Sterling and Paul Borg and 1 sister: Mildred Stell

SERVICES

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 23, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. at the Oroville United Methodist Church, with Pastor Karen Davison officiating. Interment will follow at the Oroville Riverview Cemetery. Memorial may be made to the United Methodist Church or the Oroville Senior Center.