Mrs. Anna Gertrude Ingham of Yorkton, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, author, and founder of the Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning, graduated from the classroom of life on September 22, 2013 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, at the age of 101. A remarkable tide of joy and purpose carried this small powerhouse of energy throughout her many fruitful years. Evident to all was her passion for her faith, her family and her friends. She also loved the beauty of nature and spent many hours enjoying scenery around her house and cabin, including flowers grown in her own greenhouse. Gertrude participated actively in congregational life. Her love for her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, prompted her passion for scripture and the songs of her faith. Many family members have fond memories of hymn sings when Gertrude sang and played piano or guitar. Anna Gertrude Lake was born in Seeley's Bay, Ontario on October 15, 1911, to William Walter and Anna Laura Lake. Since Anna Gertrude's first name was the same as her mother's, the family called her by her second name, Gertrude. Enticed by the offer of free Prairie land, the family moved West in 1923, settling eventually in Lanigan SK. Gertrude graduated from Saskatoon Normal School in 1934. Her teaching career began with forty students in ten grades at the rural school of Waterloo, near Guernsey. In 1935 Gertrude married Austin Elmer Ingham of Lanigan and later taught in the rural school of Stoner Rest. During WW2, Austin served in the British Commonwealth Air Training Program as a wing commander and flight instructor on twin-engine aircraft. This took the family to Prince Albert, Regina and Portage La Prairie, MB. While living on a farm near Portage, Gertrude taught at the rural school of Southridge Road. In 1946 Austin established his own business, Yorkton Flying Services, in Yorkton, SK. He commuted back and forth between Yorkton and Theodore where Gertrude taught, first at the rural school of Westbrook and then in the town of Theodore. In 1948, she and Austin, with their children, Shirley and Leslie, moved to Yorkton. Gertrude taught at Pebble Lake School. After their third child, Douglas was born, Gertrude taught in Willowbrook and the rural school of Lookout and finally at Simpson and Columbia schools in Yorkton. An exception in her time, Gertrude was passionate and successful in both career and family. She loved all children, and sought the best way to teach her students to read and live. Known as a "Quiet Rebel" in a documentary by the same name, Gertrude, behind her closed classroom door, chose the strategies which worked best for her students, combining them with her own creative ideas. The results of her practical, effective approach astounded her fellow teachers and the parents of her students. Her ideas have changed the lives of countless children and inspired generations of teachers. In 1967, Gertrude published her teaching concepts in the book, The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning, now in its sixth edition. It, and its author, have received notable recognition. Among the most prestigious were the Order of Canada in 1995 and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2006. Gertrude served as a reading consultant, taught a University of Saskatchewan extension course and conducted summer short courses sponsored by the Sask. Teachers' Federation. Eventually the summer classes moved to Alberta where Gertrude was supported by her daughter, Shirley, and a staff of ten. In Sask. The courses continued to be taught by passionate Blended-Sound-Sight teachers such as Joyce Beek, Sharlene Mino and Ina Chvala, Terry Martens and Bernie Dielschneider. Until the age of 96, Gertrude taught actively, accepting invitations to share her program at conventions and conferences in numerous Canadian locations as well as in the US, and as far away as Japan. It was at this time that she began to be called Anna by the educators who received her correspondence, always signed as Anna G. Ingham. Gertrude was predeceased by her husband, Austin in 1970; her parents; her brothers, Ralph Larmour, Arthur Larmour and Wilfred Lake; her sisters, Vera Richards, Mary Warner and Ruth Turbay; her grandson-in-law, Mark Lynch; her granddaughter-in-law, Joanne Ingham, and many other relatives. Anna Gertrude will be greatly missed by family and friends, her three children, Shirley (Zack) George of Edmonton; Leslie (Janice) Ingham of Yorkton; Douglas Ingham (Gloria Serray) of Yorkton; daughter-in-law, Mauri Ingham of Yorkton; Grandchildren, Julie (Todd) Teske, Jason (Jennifer) George, Carol (George) Petrescue, Darren Ingham (Christina Fenske), Susan (Cameron) Barton, Jennifer (Michael) Eger, Haley Ingham; Great-grandchildren, Grace, Jacob and Benjamin Teske, Ethan and Logan Ingham, Cole Barton. She will also be missed by her sister-in-law, Tessie Ingham of Lanigan as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Visitation for Family and Friends was held on Friday, September 27, 2013 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Steve Rosluk officiating. Words of tribute were shared on behalf of Gertrude's fellow educators by Karen Shaw and Terry Martens. Memories of her early church years were shared by Pastor Glenn Boyce. A poem composed by Gertrude's nephew, Bertin Webster was read by her son, Doug Ingham. The scripture reading, John 14:1-6 was recited by Gertrude's great-grandchildren, Grace, Jacob and Benjamin Teske. The organist, Karen DeLong led the congregation in the singing of two congregational hymns, "Mansion Over The Hilltop" and "The Old Rugged Cross" (also accompanied by Doug Ingham on guitar). Family tributes were shared by Gertrude's nephew, Willis Warner; on behalf of her grandchildren by granddaughter, Julie Teske; and on behalf of her children by Shirley George. Soloist, Amanda Buhler shared one selection, "His Eye is the Sparrow" accompanied by Karen DeLong. Pastor Rick Gibson shared stories of Gertrude's life. The service concluded with a special taped recessional of Gertrude singing with George Beverly Shea. Following a luncheon in the Gunn Reception Room at Christie's Funeral Home the Interment Service took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Darren Ingham, Jason George, George Petrescue, Todd Teske, Garry Warner and Daryl Warner serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, SK.
