Gertrude Martin

September 4, 2017 - September 4, 2017

Gertrude (Trudi) Martin October 1918 September 2017 Gertrude (Trudi) Martin was born on October 17, 1918 and passed away on September 4, 2017, her 72nd wedding anniversary. Dad, Henry (Hank) Martin, passed away in 1999. Trudi passed away one month before her 99th birthday. She was born on a farm in Huffsmith Texas to Ida and Benjamin Buvinghausen, she was the youngest of 10 children. Trudi was born in the midst of the Spanish Flu epidemic that took many lives all around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents, her dear sistersand brothers, as well as her beloved sons, John Martin, 1953-1992, and James Martin, 1958-2012. Trudi grew up in Houston, Texas and attended nurse's training in St Louis, where she received additional specialized training as a surgical nurse. Driving home from her night shift at the hospital on December 7, 1941, she heard on her car radio that Pearl Harbor had been bombed by the Japanese. The next day she joined the Navy and received her basic training in San Diego, California. She was soon sent to Pearl Harbor as a Navy nurse. She was committed to helping the Navy rebuild the Naval hospital that was destroyed by the bombing. Subsequently, she provided medical care to the many wounded and dying young men fighting bravely in the South Pacific. She comforted many in their last moments of life. She serve selflessly during WWII and met her future husband, Henry, when she took care of him at a naval hospital in Seattle following the war. They were married in 1945. Hank and Trudi travelled all over Europe in the early 50s when Dad was stationed in Naples, Italy, where their son, John was born. Together, they had 7 children, lived in Seattle, Columbus, Ohio, and finally moved to California. Mike, Larry and Mary were born in Seattle, while John was born in Italy, and Judith and Jane were born in Ohio. Jim was born in 1958 following our move to Moraga, California. Mom and Dad highly valued education, supported and educated all seven children, through college, graduate schools and in life. The greatest happiness in their lives was spending time with their 7 children, 14, grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. They moved from the Bay Area to Lake Tahoe in the early 70s, where they enjoyed the mountains, lakes and the natural wonders of the area. Their greatest thrill was skiing with their children and grandchildren or hiking the mountain trails with them. They were both avid golfers, and sought-after bridge players. They skied into their 70's. Trudi, inspired all of us. When we saw her on her treadmill, stationary bike, knocking out those crossword puzzles, beating us at Scrabble, or meeting with her bridge group and friends of 40 plus years at Edgewood Tahoe, we marveled at her energy and intelligence. In life, she hiked, skied, played tennis, and enjoyed boating. She travelled extensively around the world with her husband and children. She was a volunteer for years with Barton Memorial Hospital and was active in the Women's Political groups in her community. Our mother held her head up and walked through life with dignity and grace, through tragedy and loss, and we were all profoundly inspired by her. We are so thankful to our mother, for her devotion to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, for her beautiful smile and wisdom. She was an extraordinary mother and grandmother, we adored her. She is survived by five of her 7 children, Mike, Larry and wife Anna Martin, Mary and husband Bob, of Washoe Valley, Nevada, Judith and husband Mark Schraut, of Springdale, Utah, Jane Martin and husband, Michael Samuel, of Walnut Creek, California, and Daughter-in-law, Kris Martin, of Reno, NV. Trudi Martin will be fondly remembered by family and friends for many generations to come.