Gertie Chlan

Gertrude A. “Gertie” Chlan, age 88, of New Prague, died peacefully at her home with her family at her side on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Gertie was born on March 15, 1936, on the family farm in Lanesburgh Township, Le Sueur County, to Valentine and Gertrude (Topic) Tupy. She started out at country school, went to St. Wenceslaus Parochial School, and graduated from New Prague High School with the class of 1953. On the weekend that Emil Chlan was discharged from the US Army, he and Gertie met at a dance at the Park Ballroom and love bloomed! They were married at St. Wenceslaus Church on October 2, 1957. Gertie started working at Munsingwear until her children were born, at which time she stayed home to raise her three daughters. When she reentered the workforce, she worked in the bakery department for a local grocer and began her over 50-year career baking wedding cakes. A self-taught baker, Gertie’s cakes had taken awards at the State Fair when she entered them as a young 4-H member. As her career grew, her wedding and celebratory cakes became legendary. She baked not only her own wedding cake, but the cakes for all her daughters and her first granddaughter to marry. The birthday cakes that she made for her grandchildren often matched the invitations given for their themed birthday parties!

Gertie’s cakes took up most of her time, but she was also an active member in various organizations. A woman of deep faith, Gertie was an active member of St. Wenceslaus Council of Catholic Women. Her patriotism led to devotion as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She also belonged to a homemaker’s group and thoroughly enjoyed expressing her heritage with the New Prague Czech Dancers. She enjoyed embroidery in the little leisure time she had and sewed all the girls’ clothes as they were growing. She loved shopping and jewelry, but her greatest love was her family. She enjoyed nothing more than a house filled with the laughter of her daughters, grandchildren, and their families. She found the beauty in everything, even the mundane things that the rest of us take for granted. Always cheerful, with a kind word for everyone, and a smile on her face, Gertie exuded kindness and warmth. She was loved by so many, including the many cats who were fortunate enough to have found their way into her heart and home!

Gertie is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Brad) Komarek of Shakopee, Deb (Dan) Cervenka of New Prague, Denise (Donnie) Smisek of Lonsdale; grandchildren, Rebecca (Ryan) O’Leary, Elizabeth Komarek, Megan (Parker) Holey, Travis Smisek, & Ryan Smisek; great-grandchildren, Maverick & Aurora O’Leary; brother, George (Elsie) Tupy of New Prague. She is preceded in death by her husband, Emil, on January 9, 2016; infant daughter, Rebecca; her parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 10 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Fathers Eugene Theisen and Michael Miller officiating. Visitation will take place Tuesday evening from 4-7 PM and Wednesday morning from 7:30-9:30 at Bruzek Funeral Home. Burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery followed by lunch at the Legion Clubroom.