Gertrude Getty was born on August 22, 1892 in Jo Daviess, Faribault County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Peter and Mariah (Holcomb) Getty.

She married Arthur Peterson who had several children from another marriage. Gertrude and Arthur had one son: Carroll Peterson who was born on August 15, 1923.

Gertrude died on January 5, 1930 at the age of 37.