Gertrude Anderson

TRAVERSE CITY — Gertrude "Trudy" M. Anderson, 93, of Traverse City, passed away Feb. 19, 2011, at her home in Hope Village.Trudy was born on Feb. 17, 1918, to the late Rudolph and Anna (Broetzmann) Manthei on their family farm in Cecil, Wis., the 10th of 12 children. She graduated as valedictorian of Shawano High School and went on to earn a secretarial degree from Badger Business College in Green Bay, Wis.Trudy served her country honorably during World War II in the Navy WAVES Program. She was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago, where she met her future husband, Lee L. Anderson.A wartime wedding in Alameda, Calif., followed, and Trudy and Lee shared 58 years of devoted Christian marriage until Lee's death on May 16, 2003. They lived in Birmingham for 30 years and maintained a second home on Torch Lake, where they entertained family and friends. In 1982, they retired to Sanford, N.C., but returned to Michigan in 2001 to be close to family.A dedicated wife and mother, Trudy was a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher and volunteered to serve church, hospital and political causes. Trudy was a generous hostess known for her wonderful desserts, especially homemade cherry pie. She played bridge and Scrabble until shortly before her death and enjoyed golf, sailing and reading. Travel was a special interest, with trips to Japan, Hawaii and Jamaica, as well as family road trips throughout most of the United States. Trudy loved to laugh and was known as the best joke-teller in the family. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City.Trudy is survived by her daughter, Jackie Anderson, of Traverse City; son, Larry (Debbie) Anderson, of Springfield, Va.; grandchildren, the Rev. Teal Anderson and her husband, Matthew Treskon, of Logansport, Ind., Peter Anderson, of Arlington, Va., and Kelsey Lauer, of Traverse City; as well as many dear family members and friends.Trudy was preceded in death by her husband, parents and 11 brothers and sisters. A memorial service celebrating Trudy's life will be held in the spring at Trinity Lutheran Church. The family would ask that Trudy be remembered by memorial gifts directed to one of the following: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1003 S. Maple, Traverse City, MI 49684; Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1800 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009; Hospice of Michigan, 932 N. Mitchell St., Cadillac, MI 49601; or a charity of your choice. We would like to thank caregivers from Hope Village, Hospice of Michigan and special friend, Rona Kreiser for bringing laughter and love to mom's final days.Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to sign Trudy's online guestbook and share your thoughts and memories with the family.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.