Gertrude E. "Trudy" Gierke

Gertrude E. "Trudy" Gierke, 92, of Avon, IN, met her Savior on January 11, 2019.  Trudy was born in Arenzville, IL on February 18, 1926 to Albert and Maria Wilhelmina (Witte) Lovekamp.  After graduating from high school in Jacksonville, IL, Trudy spent a year teaching first through fourth grades at a Lutheran Mission school in Racine, Wisconsin.  In 1948, Trudy graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana and married her college sweetheart.  Trudy and Leon "Bud" Gierke enjoyed 61 happy years together.  Trudy instructed all elementary levels throughout her 45 years of teaching in both public and Lutheran schools in Wisconsin, and in Peoria, Woodson and Jacksonville, IL.  The last half of her career she delighted in teaching kindergarten students, and was a godparent to many.  Trudy also served her Lord by working with church groups and committees, delivering doorbell dinners, and visiting "shut-ins".   Trudy had a special heart for   those who were needy or downtrodden. Other joys in life included singing, playing the accordion, golfing, traveling, and eating ice cream.  Trudy and Bud loved tending to the Gierke farm east of Jacksonville and hosting many happy gatherings there.  Trudy loved being with her family--especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.Trudy is survived by her daughter, Sara (John) Krenzke; grandchildren, Anna (Brian) Snodgrass, Peter (Christine) Krenzke, and Mark (Katy) Krenzke; great-grandchildren, Maria and William Snodgrass, Elise, Greta, Hazel and Hilda Krenzke, and Owen Krenzke.  She was preceded in death by her husband Leon "Bud" Gierke; brothers, Orville, Roy, Alvin and Kenny Lovekamp, and by sisters, Sophia Schulz and Evelyn Koepke.  Services will be on Friday, January 18, 2019 in the Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Avon, IN: 11:00 am visitation followed by a 1:00 pm service of praise and thanksgiving, and a luncheon.  Burial will be on Saturday January 19 at noon (CST) at Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, IL.  Memorials may be made to Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 9201 E. County Road 100 N, Avon, IN 46123, or Salem Lutheran Church, 222 E. Beecher,  Jacksonville, IL 62650.

Arrangements by Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield, IN  www.hamptongentry.com