Gertrude Margarite Solum, age 94 of Moorhead, MN, died Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Bethany on the Lake, Alexandria, MN.

Gertrude “Gert” was born January 12, 1932, to Gebhard and Theresa (Berger) Amann of Dazey, ND. She was raised in a small farm community (St. Mary’s) east of Dazey. She attended a rural school through 7th grade near her home. From 8th grade through high school, she attended St. Catherine parochial school in Valley City, ND where she graduated in 1949. A year later, Gert enrolled in Valley City State Teachers College, now VCSU to earn a one-year rural Teacher’s Certificate in Elementary Education. She then taught in a rural school (Moore) near her home. That fall she returned to VCSTC to earn a two-year Standard Certificate. She followed this by teaching three years in Valley City and one year in Great Falls, Montana. She returned home that summer to help care for her ailing mother, and to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in 1957.

In the Fall of 1957, Gert accepted a 4th grade teaching position in the Moorhead, MN school district. It was there where she met her future husband, Charles “Chuck” Solum. Chuck was employed by the Procter and Gamble Co. Chuck and Gert were married in 1960. They made their home in Moorhead where they raised their family.

Chuck and Gert had agreed that their main priorities in marriage would be their faith and raising a family, even a larger family ‘if God so willed it’. They did indeed, raise two precious children, but a “larger” family seemed not in God’s plan for them.

Gert taught at Washington School in Moorhead until their son was born. She then retired from teaching to become a ‘Stay-at-Home Mom’. However, when three years passed and no more babies had arrived, Gert felt drawn to accept a half-day teaching position at Moorhead’s Georgetown location. She used ‘Family First’ as a steadfast motto. Gert then continued to teach half days for two more years at her original Washington school. That following year, when there were no more half-day openings, Gert felt energized to take on full day teaching along with her ‘domestic mom’ responsibilities. She then alternated a few years between 4th or 5th grade teaching at Washington and two more years at Sharp Elementary. In the meantime, Chuck and Gert still hoped for more children. At last, a precious baby girl arrived to bring added joy to their family. Chuck and Gert felt blessed to have both a boy and girl to raise. By this time, Gert was so devoted to her dual role as a domestic mother, and also a teacher to her beloved students, that she made arrangements for additional childcare. She then went on teaching until her retirement in 1992. She recalls those years of balancing family life and the classroom as busy, yet also her happiest, most grace-filled, and eventful days. Overall, Gert spanned 37 years at the elementary level including the five years before coming to Moorhead.

Chuck and Gert were active members of two parishes; St. Joseph’s in Moorhead and St. Mary of the Lake on Pelican Lake. Gert was a member of Catholic Daughters and Christian Mothers at St. Joseph’s. She often volunteered at church functions and special events. In addition, she was a reader at Mass and volunteered as a catechist for a time. She was also a fundraiser for pro-life causes in the FM area for many years. Gert’s strong faith in God, her prayer life, spiritual reading and close church affiliation were her strengths in life’s journey.

Gert and Chuck cherished the time spent with their family. They were avid fans in attending their children and grandchildren’s special events such as sports, music, academics or community affairs. Chuck, Gert and family especially enjoyed summers at their lake place on Pelican Lake. Besides all the fun water sports and sharing time with friends and relatives, they joined the Pelican Lake Yacht Club and became involved with sailboat racing. The family also enjoyed winter ski vacations in Montana and Colorado, often joining other families at these locations.

Some of Gert’s hobbies were reading, writing humorous poetry for family and friends, cooking, and hosting family gatherings. She also recalled some memorable travel experiences overseas or down south to warmer climates in winter. Earlier, Gert enjoyed watercolor painting and doing some folk-art painting for friends.

In their later years, Chuck suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Gert cared for him faithfully at their home until he moved to a care center at Rosewood on Broadway. Gert and family appreciated the care he received at Rosewood and the kind support from family and friends. He died a very peaceful death at Rosewood surrounded by his family on July 3, 2020.

Gert also appreciated the kind help and support she received from family and dear friends. She was grateful to remain in her home for an extended time in her advanced years.

Gert is survived by her children and grandchildren; her son Jeffrey “Jeff” (Margaret “Mimi”) Solum of Minneapolis; Jeff’s children, Renata (Andrew) Carbonneau and their child, June Carbonneau, Minneapolis; Brady (Hanna) Solum, North Carolina, Ian Solum, Minneapolis, Gert’s daughter, Kathryn “Katie” (Brian) Hornstein and their children Matthew and Lauren of Alexandria, MN. A brother-in-law; John (Judy) Solum, Sarasota, FL, two sisters-in-law, Sr. Francis Solum OSB of Rio Grande City, TX, Mary Hogan, Mission, TX, and Gert’s many nieces and nephews.

Gert was preceded in death by her husband Charles “Chuck” Solum; her parents Gebhard and Theresa Amann, five brothers and their spouses; Walter Amann, Henry (Delores) Amann, Richard (Luella) Amann, Hugo (Rosella) Amann, Joseph “Joe” (widower of Delores) Amann; three sisters: Mary (Willis) Pritchard, Irene Catherine Amann, Irene (Robert) Riedman, parents-in-law: Garnet and Grace Solum; brothers-in-law: Al (Joan) Solum and Michael Hogan.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to all those who attended Gert’s prayer service and the Mass of Christian burial at St. Joseph’s Church and all the kind expressions of sympathy extended to the family.

A visitation will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. with a wake service at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, September 22, at 11 a.m. at the church. All are invited to the luncheon and fellowship in the gathering place following the service.

Interment will be held at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Women's Care Center of Fargo or the Alzheimer’s Association.