NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Hans-Werner Gertje, 81, of North Adams died Tuesday April 5, 2016, at Baystate Medical Center.

He was born in Augustfehn, Germany, on August 1, 1934, son of Wilhelm Bruns and Lina Schmidt. He was educated in Germany and came to the United States in 1955. He became a US citizen in 1963.

He was the co-owner and operator of the Wigwam and Western Summit Gift Shop and Cottages on the Mohawk Trail from 1975 until his retirement in 2005. He was well-known for his fudge there.

He enjoyed playing the accordion, gardening and reading. He was a self-taught craftsman who enjoyed renovating old houses.

Survivors include his wife, Inna Irma (Simonsen) Gertje, whom he married on November 22, 1955; two daughters, Pauline Davis and her husband Robert of North Adams and Marianne Seymour and her husband Ray of Hendersonville, N.C.; two sons, Werner Gertje of Natick and his former wife Marie and Henry Gertje and his wife Gretchen of Olympia, Wash.; one brother, Edgar Schmidt in Germany; five great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He was predeceased by one sister and one brother.

Funeral notice: Calling hours for Hans-Werner Gertje will be Saturday, April 9, 2016, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will be at a later date at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Haiti Plunge in care of the funeral home.