Gertrude Anne Claypool

Gertrude Anne Claypool died peacefully on January 1, 2026, at the age of 93, in Cadillac, after a full life. She was born on May 28, 1932, in Chelsea, Michigan to Oscar and Nina Widmayer. She was raised on the family dairy farm. Gert graduated at the top of her class at Chelsea High School and moved to nearby Ann Arbor to begin her life’s adventures in the city. Gert met her husband Sperry Claypool during a ski trip with friends to Caberfae Ski Area and Cadillac, which changed everything. They had a wonderful, full life. They married on September 4, 1954, in Francisco, MI. Gert was a quiet force of nature. She advocated for equal rights for women before it was in style. She was a member of the League of Woman Voters and contributed countless hours working elections. She was a fierce advocate for her three daughters. She was a Girl Scout leader. She became a Cadillac school board member to serve the community. Gert possessed a volunteer spirit and accrued countless hours working at Second Chance resale store in Cadillac which benefited the Woman’s Resource Center with her best friend, Sally Dahlquist. Gert and Sperry were instrumental in the formation of the Caberfae Ski Club. They were part of the formation of the Wexford Public Employees Credit Union, which became part of West Michigan Credit Union, and she worked for them for years. Gert was the longest standing member of the First Congregational Church in Cadillac. She then went on to become a certified real estate broker. She was honest, ethical and loved her clients. She founded Keystone Realty, which later merged with Coldwell Banker Realty. She enjoyed skiing, watersports, golf, tennis, volleyball, fishing, as well as reading and bridge. She was good at everything she tried. Gert is survived by three daughters: Anne (Ron) Wohlford of Holmes Beach, FL, Patricia (PK) (Tom) Harrison of Boon, and Marie (John) Lapinski of Northville, MI; grandchildren, Eric Wohlford (Gisela Marrero), Lisa Rudolph (Devon), Claire, Grace and Jack Lapinski, and Ashley Kretzschmar (Matt); great grandchildren: Benjamin and Samuel Wohlford, Calvin and Simon Rudolph, and Daniel Kretzchmar. Gert was preceded in death by her husband, Sperry, on July 20, 2023 after 68 years of marriage, as well as her parents, brother John and sister Kathleen, and two grandchildren, Angela and Alex Harrison. Gert’s exceptional life is now complete. She leaves a very large legacy of love, community service and an example to the countless people whom she helped along the way. Memorial services will be held at a later date at the First Congregational Church in Cadillac. The family would like to thank Gert’s many friends as well as John Doud, minister at the First Congregational Church for their support. We’d like to thank Curry House Assisted Living for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church UCC, 200 E. Harris St, Cadillac, MI. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Gertrude Anne Claypool

May 28, 1932 - January 1, 2026