Gertrude Ortlieb

Gertrude Ortlieb’s lifelong strong work ethic is inspiring.

She was born June 17, 1912 in Fredonia to Amelia (Spoden) and William Ortlieb. She had a brother named Frank. Together they lived on their small family farm.

Ortlieb’s father died in 1928, leaving Amelia and the children to take care of the farm themselves. Ortlieb also went to school during this time.

After graduating from Fredonia High School in 1929 and from the Dunkirk Business Institute, Ortlieb started work at the Warder Paper Box Factory in March 1930. She then worked at the Safe Store for 30 years as a bookkeeper and a secretary, Lake Shore Bank as the head bookkeeper until she retired in June 1977; AAA as a bookkeeper and for an auditing group which asked her to do their books for them. A few years ago, she officially retired from being a bookkepper for Rolfe Dolce.

Ortlieb lives in an apartment in Dunkirk and enjoys playing cards with cousins and other visitors. She stopped driving at age 99.

Ortlieb has been a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, formerly St. Mary’s, since 1976. She had been very active in the church, including being a eucharistic minister and lector for many years.

“She has been a good example for us. Her friends and neighbors (especially Jean and Skip Cole) feel blessed to have someone at that age and I think we’ve learned a lot from her,” said friend Mary Ann Begier.

Happy birthday, Gertrude!