Gertrude (Trudi) Tillner
Oct 1911 – May 2014
Gertude “Trudi” Tillner, born in Kansias City, KS on October 6, 1911, passed peacefully away at Emanuel Hospital in Turlock, CA, the morning of May 3, 2014 at the age of 102. The only surviving daughter with three brothers and a sister who was lost in childhood, she married Basil Hall in high school and continued her education in Kansas City. That marriage produced two cherished sons, Rex and Jerry Hall.
Trudi’s employment included clerical work at Dunn and Bradstreet, in a doctor’s office, and as a telephone operator both in Kansas City, KS and in Kansas City, MO. Primarily she chose to stay home and care for her two sons, encouraging them to pursue higher education. During World War II, she volunteered as a Red Cross motor corp. driver, driving wounded or sick military personnel to appointments, outings, and playing cards when time allowed.
After 20 years of marriage to Basil Hall, Trudi eventually remarried Russell Kunz, a government engineer. That marriage lasted 25 years before cancer ended the union. Years later she married a neighbor and family friend, Bob Evans, who had also been widowed. Trudi and Bob moved to California to get away from the harsh Midwest winters and to live closer to her eldest son Rex and family. Trudi and Bob were marred for 12 years when cancer claimed his life. Trudi remained single for a long time until close friends introduced her to Reynold Tillner, a kindred spirit, who she married at the age of 82. Sadly, Reynold also died of cancer, leaving Trudi widowed once again. After the passing of Reynold, Trudi focused on her family and friends, beloved dog Phoebe, and many hobbies. Trudi’s hobbies included golf, which she played until the age of 95, cooking, and entertaining for family and friends. Trudi was an avid card player, with a distinct fondness for bridge, which she continued to enjoy to the very end of her life, playing every Wednesday with friends at their homes. Trudi won first prize in a national bridge tournament in Miami, and achieved the esteemed status of life master in bridge in 1964.
Trudi was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. There are no words to describe how much she will be missed by her family and friends. She will forever be in our hearts.
Trudi was preceded in death by both her sons, Rex and Jerry Hall, and granddaughter Susan Tarwater. She is survived by five loving generations of Clark descendants: one surviving brother Jack (Dee) Clark; daughter-in-law Dorothy Hall; grandchildren Denice (Jack) Watling, Janis (Ken) Arnold, Julie (Dan) Oliver, Mark Tarwater, and Debbie (Ron) Koftinow; 13 great grandchildren: Haley & Matthew Watling, Sasha & Michael Koftinow, Alyssa, Ryan & William Boone, Chloe & Ted Oliver, Brian, Jenny & Matthew Tarwater, and Amanda Hall; and one great great grandson Jerry Boone.
Allen Mortuary in charge of arrangements, (209) 634-5829.
A celebration of Trudi’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1660 Arbor Way, Turlock on May 7, 2014 at 3:00pm.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society in remembrance of Trudi’s loved ones.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.AllenMortuary.com.
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