Gertrude “Gertie” Hites, 88, of Newton died Satur-day, Dec. 13, 2014, at Taylor House Hos-pice in Des Moines. A visitation service was held Dec. 16 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.
Gertie, the daughter of John and Carrie (Van Wyk) Braaksma, was born Aug. 16, 1926. She lived in the Killduff and Sully area before moving to Newton in 1991. Gertie enjoyed puzzles, quilting, and sewing.
Gertie is survived by her children: Menvil (Starla) Hites of Boone, Donna Lane (Tim Moore) of Knoxville, and Nigle “Weiner” McGinnis of Knoxville; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her siblings, Rob Braaksma, Lee Nielsen, Fran Emmert, and Larry Braaksma; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Michael McGinnis; daughter, Cynthia Ann McGinnis; and five siblings.
