Gertrude “Gertie” May Webster was born on May 8, 1924 to parents Rose Worley Webster and Joshua David Webster. She was born at home on Box Elder Creek in Eastern Montana with the help of Mrs. Harvey as midwife. Gertie was the second youngest of eight children.
Gertie spent ages 1-18 on the ranch at Box Elder. She attended Climax Country School, grades 1-6, three miles from home as the crow flies, via horseback and by foot. When Gertie became a 7th grader her mother, she, Rose, Pat and Joe (the older kids had moved on) worked for her Dad on the ranch and moved to Ekalaka to attend school. Gertie graduated from Carter County High School at the age of 18 in 1942. After graduation Gertie and sister Rose moved to Miles City to work. They lived with sister Marie and her husband George Peters. Gertie and Rose were both employed at Foster Drug. Gertie was employed there until she met Alvin Andrew Cathey. Gertie and Alvin were married on June 19, 1945 at Broadus, Montana in a double wedding ceremony with Gertie’s brother Pat and sister-in-law Ethel Nalley Webster.
Gertie and Alvin lived on the Cathey ranch west of Alzada, Montana for approximately a year. During that year, oldest son Gerald (Gerry) was born in December 1945. Gertie and Alvin then moved to and worked at the Beilage Coal Mine owned by Alvins’ grandfather Joe Beilage. The mine was located between Olive and Coalwood Montana. Alvin and Gertie continued to live and work at the mine during which time son Dennis was born in September 1947 and daughter Alveda was born in November 1950. Gertie and Alvin continued to live at the coal mine for about seven years then moved to Broadus for about a year and then to the Beilage place between the Cathey ranch and the Joe Zinni ranch. Gertie and Alvin lived on the Beilage place and raised sheep for about four years. Youngest child, William (Bill) was born while the family lived there in February 1958.
In 1959, Gertie and Alvin moved back to Broadus. Alvin drove truck and sheared sheep for area ranchers, Gertie took care of the home and ushered Gerald, Dennis and Alveda through high school. About 1967, Gertie and Alvin and youngest son Bill moved to the Hammond, Montana area and were employed on the Bert and Hattie Kaufman ranch and worked there until Alvins’ death in 1973.
Gertie moved to Broadus where she and Bill lived while Bill finished high school. Gertie worked as a “jack of all trades” until 1977 when she married Bernard (Buster) Fruit. Gertie and Buster lived on the Fruit ranch on Pilgrim Creek until they retired and moved to Kalispell, Montana for a period of ten years. In 1990, Gertie and Buster returned to the ranch and lived there during the summers and spent winters in Arizona until Buster’s death in April of 2001.
Gertie moved to Broadus and spent her days taking care of her home, quilting and playing cards at the Senior Citizens Center. In 2010, Gertie moved into Miles City and resided at Eagle’s Manor. She especially enjoyed the days that music was played. In 2015 Gertie moved to Cottonwood Care Home where she passed away on June 12, 2019.
Gertie is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers – Glen, Joseph, and Patrick, her sisters – Teresa, Agnes, and Marie; husband Alvin Cathey and husband Bernard (Buster) Fruit; son-in-law Dick Hurst, grandson-in-law Robert Fisk, great-grandson Hunter Fisk, and step-daughter Wyomia Jo Karns.
Gertie is survived by her younger sister Rose (Ohio). Gertie is also survived by her children and their spouses: Gerald Cathey and Debbie Howard of Stites, ID; Dennis and Shirley Cathey of Sundance, WY; Alveda Hurst of Terry, MT; and Bill and Sheryl Cathey of Miles City, MT; Grandchildren and spouses: Shelby Cathey & Steve Lebsack of Chattaroy, WA, Erin & Charlie Stamper of Culdesac, ID; Larry & HelenAnne Cathey of Gillette, WY, Jennifer Fisk and Matt Hineaman of Winifred, MT; Don Hurst of Missoula, MT; Alex & Heather Cathey of Ankeny, Iowa, Ryan & Nicole Cathey of Salt Lake City, Utah; Taylor Cathey and Andy Flickinger of Lacey, WA; Great-Grandchildren: Ashton & Tristen in WA, Macey & Payton in ID, Amber, Julia, Matthew, Davis & Emily in WY; Tanner & Bailey in MT; Chelsey & Skyler in CO, Kyle in WY, Katie & Maddie in CO, Andrew, Paige & Sarah in Iowa and Liam & Everett in Utah. Gertie is also survived by her step son, Lee (Sonia) Fruit of Broadus, and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.
Family will receive friends on Monday, June 17, 2019 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Rosary will follow at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. David’s Catholic Church in Broadus. Interment will be held at a later date in the Valley View Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to St. David’s Catholic Church in Broadus.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday June 17, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary Service
6:00 p.m.
Monday June 17, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City , Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday June 18, 2019
St. David's Catholic Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday June 17, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary Service
6:00 p.m.
Monday June 17, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City , Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday June 18, 2019
St. David's Catholic Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
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Sylvia Zimmer says
So sorry for your loss… she was a wonderful lady…
tammy schoenbeck says
oh so sorry, you will be truly missed Gramma Gertie!!
Vanna Byrd says
I am so sorry to hear this. Such a sweet lady, always smiling and laughing. May God bless and comfort you.
SALLY A. BORLA says
I AM SO SAD TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF OUR DEAR WONDERFUL GERTIE. I HEARD SHE WAS IN MILES CITY HOSPITAL AND SHOULD HAVE RUSHED RIGHT IN TO SEE HER–SHE WAS SO MUCH FUN AND A DEAR FRIEND HERE IN BROADUS. I HAD SOME WONDERFUL/FUN TRIPS TO DEADWOOD WITH HER, JOHN AND JEAN R.–THOSE WONDERFUL, KIND FRIENDS WILL NEVER REPLACED. GOD BLESS ALL OF GERTIE’S FAMILY AND KNOW I AM THINKING OF YOU.
Diana Mccurdy Edwards says
Dear Gertie’s kids……….I’m so sorry for all our loss. She was a great friend, we had fun playing cards, just visiting or taking trips. I’ve been thinking of her all day and know she’s not in pain any more.
love always, Francis and Diana
Laurie Gentry says
Thought the world of this lady! My condolences to all of her family.
Steve, Dart, Zeb and Zach. says
Bill, Sheryl and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful woman and led such an interesting and full life. She was blessed with a loving and caring family. Our thoughts and prayers to all.
Bonnie Powell says
Will cherish all the memories with Gertie and family over the years. Loved her smile and laugh. God Bless.
pat smith says
Sorry for your loss, Gertie was a great lady.
Linda (Richards) Macy says
Veda & family, so sorry in the loss of your Mom. May she RIP
Glenn Hoopman says
Very Sorry for your families loss! Bill always spoke highly of his mother & she raised some wonderful children! God Bless Her & your family!!
Betty and Skin Collins says
Condolences to the family of Gertie Cathy Fruit. She was such a wonderful person. Always a smile on her face and full of laughter. It was always fun visiting with her. She told me many stories! She is free of pain now and in the arms of Our Savior. Hold on to her memories in this difficult time and in the years to come. Hugs and God Bless you all.