Gerszewski, Gertrude “Trudy”, 76, beloved by her family and an adopted city full of friends, died Christmas Eve morning in a St. Louis, Mo. Hospital.
Trudy was born on November 15, 1941 in Grand Forks, ND, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Zolondek) Gerszewski. She grew up on the family farm between Ardoch, ND and Oslo, MN, attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Oslo High School. Trudy received a Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Natural Sciences from the University of North Dakota in 1964.
She moved to St. Louis to begin a job as a cartographer with the National Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis, and she continued to work there until retirement in 2000.
Trudy enjoyed her historic brownstone house in south St. Louis, but she equally enjoyed frequent getaways to Europe, Australia, Panama, and other distant spots. She returned home to attend numerous baptisms, weddings and graduations of her siblings, nieces, and nephews.
Friends and relatives remember Trudy for her sometimes mischievous sense of humor and her immense generosity, loyalty and love for others. Trudy displayed an open heart in helping out friends and relatives.
She was an avid reader, as evidenced by her large personal library, and was forthright in her actions, opinions and preferences, including her own name. She became known as “Trudy” to all.
Her brothers remember their big sister for her piano playing, and her “looks” when she disapproved of something they did or said. Her sister-in-laws regarded Trudy as one of their own dear sisters, and she felt the same about them.
Her parents, grandparents, and brother Joe preceded her in death. She is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law: John and Mary Gerszewski of Oslo, Ray and Alana Gerszewski of Mayville, ND, and Matt and Patricia Gerszewski of Minot, ND; sister-in-law Ruth Ann Gerszewski of Grand Forks; as well as nine nephews, four nieces and 15 grandnephews and grandnieces.
Services: A celebration of Trudy’s life will be held in St. Louis in January, and arrangements for a service and burial in North Dakota are pending. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital or a charity of choice.