Gertrude Loice Toulou

Gertrude "Gertie" L. Toulou passed away quietly Thursday, March 26, 2015. Gertie was born in Inchelium, Wash., September 2, 1927, to George Ace Williamson and Leona Rose Williamson. Gertie attended grades K-12 in Inchelium and spent a few months at the St Mary's Mission while her parents worked at a Federal work project in the 1930's. Gertie had a large family consisting of four sisters and two brothers, all of whom preceded her in death except for her sister Gerie Haugen. Gertie met and married her true love and soul mate Charles L. Toulou on May 31, 1946. Gertie and Charlie started their family in May 1947 with the birth of their first son Charles L. Toulou Jr. In February of 1954 Gertie and Charlie welcomed a beautiful bouncing baby girl, Candace L. Toulou. Shortly after relocating to Southern California Gertie and Charlie's family was complete in December of 1958 as they welcomed the birth of their son Randy J. Toulou. Gertie raised her three children in Ontario and Pomona California. Gertie and a close friend both worked at a fast food restaurant and that job lasted all of one month, but soon the pair became known as " Lucy and Ethyl " for the shenanigans they pulled. While her husband worked as a construction worker and later as a Plant Machinist/Millwright, Gertie took on ironing and cleaned houses to help support her family. Gertie and her family made their home in California from the mid 1950's to the early 1970's. In the early 1970's they relocated to Gertie's hometown of Inchelium, on the Colville Confederated Reservation; Gertie and her family lived there for several years before relocating to Nespelem where they resided for several more years. Gertie and her husband decided to take on another adventure and purchased the Guest House, running it until Gertie's health declined and she was unable to run this facility. Gertie and her husband sold the Guest House and purchased their last home in Coulee Dam. Gertie loved to garden, embroider, bake, and crochet. Gertie loved the outdoors, walking in the woods, fishing, and picking huckleberries.

Gertie was preceded in death by her husband Charles L. Toulou December, 2009, her parents, two sisters and two brothers and her son-in-law Bob Merriman.

Gertie is survived by her daughter Kande L. Merriman, her son, Chuck L. Toulou and his wife Sheri, her son Randy J. Toulou and his wife Kathy, her sister Gerie Haugen, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the Fairmount Memorial Park Sunset Chapel, 5200 W. Wellesley, Spokane, Wash., 99205 at 11 a.m., on Friday, April 3, 2015.

Gertie's spirit and her love of family will be greatly missed.