Gertrude “Trudy” Wimmer (nee Anderson), born February 5, 1930, in Youngstown, Ohio, longtime resident of La Grange, Illinois, passed away after a brief illness on June 9, 2018, at the age of 88.
Beloved wife of 65 years to the late James “Jim” Wimmer. Cherished sister of Marjorie Farr (nee Anderson). Loving mother of Karen O’Hayer (Patrick), Joanie Wimmer, f/k/a John Wimmer, Cynthia Riewski (Martin), and Thomas Wimmer. Devoted grandmother of Benjamin Wimmer, Jeremy Wimmer (Erin Schultz), Sarah Wimmer, Ellen Lind (Brent), Alexandra Tudor (Jon), Julian Wimmer, Eric Riewski, and Matthew Riewski. Dear great-grandmother of Thea Wimmer. Fond aunt of many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Jim Wimmer, her father, John Ure Anderson, her mother, Gertrude Anderson (nee Woodcock), her sister, Mary Jean “Beebe” Anderson, and her brother, John Ure “Buzz” Anderson, Jr.
Trudy grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1951 and married the love of her life, Jim Wimmer. Trudy and Jim settled in La Grange, Illinois, where they raised their four children. Trudy earned a master’s degree in education from Roosevelt University in 1978. She taught in the special education department at Bolingbrook High School from 1983 to 1993. After retiring from teaching, she continued to work as a private tutor and specialized in helping children and adults with dyslexia learn to read.
Trudy enjoyed travel, music, and spending time with friends and family. She was an avid reader and belonged to several book clubs. She was active in the League of Women Voters for many years. She loved crossword puzzles and could work the New York Times Sunday puzzle without breaking a sweat. Trudy had a great sense of humor, an adventurous spirit, and a kind heart. She will be deeply missed and cherished in our hearts forever.
A memorial visitation will take place at Hallowell & James, 1025 W. 55th Street in Countryside, Illinois, on Saturday, June 30 from 11:00am to 1:00pm, with a memorial service beginning at 1:00pm. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Aging Care Connections. Funeral information: 708-352-6500.
Karen, Diane Cinnick let us know about your Mom’s passing. I am sorry. It’s never easy to lose your mum. You and your family had a big and difficult job taking care of her and your Dad with the many challenges that came with that chore. I read her obituary and she had a great “resume”. It is still puzzling to us as caregivers that someone so accomplished had to deal with major memory loss and all that goes with that condition. I wish you peace as you tie up the loose ends. Hope you can come to the group sometime and let us know how you are doing.