Gertrude Lamphier

Gertrude was born January 17, 1922, in the town of Easton, WI, the daughter of the late Axel and Mary (Tesberg) Sandburg. After graduation from Wausau High School, she began working as a clerk at Murray Machinery. On April 3rd 1948, she was united in marriage to Harold Ziegler, the couple moved to Wisconsin Rapids, where their daughter, Kristine, was born. The family lived in Wisconsin Rapids until Harold’s death in 1955. Upon Gertrude and Kristine’s return to Wausau, she resumed her job at Murray Machinery, where she worked until her retirement. She was a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wausau. Gertrude relocated to Merrill in 2008 to be closer to her daughter.


Keeping in touch with people over the years through letters and visiting with family and friends were important things throughout Gertrude’s life. She enjoyed all kinds of flowers and gardening.


Gertrude Lamphier, 88, died January 20, 2010, at Bell Tower Residence, in Merrill.


Gertrude will be missed by her daughter, Kristine Ziegler, Merrill; step-daughter, Marlys (Jerome) Kell, Schofield; step-son, Eugene (Judie) Lamphier, Schofield; special nephew, Bill Lassow; and many other nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.


Along with her parents and first husband, Harold, Gertrude was also predeceased by her husbands, Leslie Prott, in 1971, and Alfred Lamphier, in 2006; sister, Mabel Lassow; and brothers, Alton, Alvin, and Myron Sandburg.


A funeral service celebrating Gertrude’s life will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 25, 2010, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Wausau. The Reverend Phillip C. Schneider will officiate. Visitation will be held Monday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service, at the church. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau.


If preferred, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Alzheimer’s Association, or charity of choice.