Gertrude M. Anderson's Obituary
Anderson, Gertrude Margaret born February 11, 1919 in South Bend, Indiana and passed away June 4, 2015 in Richardson, Texas. Preceded in death by husband, Sgt. Irvin G. Anderson and beloved sister, Henrietta Piechowicz. Survived by daughter Margaret Joyce and husband Thomas Joyce of Richardson, Texas; daughter Marianne Wilkins and husband Dennis Wilkins of Mobile, Alabama; grandchildren John Joyce; Lara Henderson and husband Joseph Henderson; Erin Pacione and husband David Pacione; Tabitha Olzinski and husband Brian Olzinski; and Kevin Wilkins; great-grandchildren Johnny and Maggie Henderson; Jessica and Lauren Olzinski; Lilly, Nicky and Matthew Pacione. Graduated Central High School in South Bend, Indiana in 1937. Gertrude’s long life is truly a reflection of the times in which she lived. She became engaged in 1941 to Irvin G. Anderson, a member of the Army Reserves. She bought her wedding dress on December 6, 1941 – the day before Pearl Harbor — for a wedding planned on Valentine’s Day in 1942. After war was declared and Irvin was called to report to duty, they wed on December 11, 1941. He left for basic training one month later. While he was at war, Gertrude worked at the Studebaker Factory on the assembly line creating airplane parts for the war. She was a “Rosie the Riveter.” Irvin served with distinction in the Pacific Theater of World War II. During the battle of Leyte Gulf, he was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military award, for extraordinary heroism and extreme bravery when he saved the life of a high-ranking American commander and killed 28 Imperial Japanese soldiers. Irvin was severely wounded in battle and also received the Purple Heart. After the war, they raised two daughters in South Bend, Indiana and she was a full-time working mother. Her career highlights included Robertson’s Department Store and the University of Notre Dame in the ROTC department. She also worked for the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service in Dallas. She worked for many years for the Richardson Independent School District at Forest Meadow Junior High where she was recognized for her years of dedicated service. Gertrude was a dedicated member of Saint Paul Church and an active member of the Catholic Daughters Association. She was devoted to her faith and attended daily mass. She was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. All who knew Gertrude commented on her love for life, her desire to be with others, and her boundless energy. She was known for working two jobs, going dancing at night, sewing, listening to talk radio, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and traveling with senior citizens’ groups to various locations outside of Texas. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243. Family will received friends on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home. A rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, 720 S. Floyd Road; Richardson, Texas 75080. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic School Scholarship Fund, 720 S. Floyd Road; Richardson, Texas 75080. Following the funeral mass, Gertrude will be cremated. Her remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with her husband. The family will travel to Virginia for the military ceremony on a date to be determined.
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