Gertrude Emily Rees (Obituary)

Today our beautiful Mother, Grandmother, and Great- Grandmother passed away. Her courageous fight against the evil cancer finally ended. On August, 24th 2008 Gertrud "Trudy" Emily Rees passed peacefully, her traditions honored, with her children and grandchildren holding her hands. Reading to her from the Kabbalah, the Tanakah, and her favorite chapters from the Bible, her loving family witnessed her passing as Trudy met with God and was reunited with her son Patrick "Pepper" John. Trudy was born Gertrud Emily Horlacher on January 14, 1935 in Heilbronn, Germany. Raised in the culture of a traditional Jewish farming family, she survived the persecution and trials of the holocaust when her village was bombed and occupied by the Nazi government during WW II. Trudy completed her formal education in Heilbronn representing her school as medallist high diver and attended post secondary school as an apprentice bookbinder. As the occupation of the Americans progressed and the ravages of the war ended, she met and married Charles Eugene Rees and immigrated to the territory of Alaska to live with his family. Trudy adapted to the remote and harsh culture of Ketchikan with the same tenacity and self-accountability that the territory required from its natives. She began raising her growing family on the Tongass Narrows, learning to speak English by reading food labels, and soon became an active and loved member of the small community. Trudy then moved with her family to San Francisco and Concord, California, Eugene, Oregon and Kent, Washington before settling in the Skagit Valley in 1978. Trudy raised 9 children and 1 foster daughter, with discipline and integrity. Trudy worked for many years as a propagator for Skagit Gardens, and delighted in promoting the growth and appreciation of beauty. Trudy was an active volunteer in her community, serving the Women's Prison in Curlew through the Jaycee organization, children with cancer through the Linus blanket program, and providing meals for members of the Moose Lodge. She loved her family and her faith above everything else. Trudy was mentor and friend to every one of her children, 25 grandchildren and their spouses, and proud to have been an influence in the lives of her 23 great-grandchildren. Trudy will be remembered for her endearing German accent, her great German cooking, her love and knowledge of the Bible and the Torah and love of history, her ability to knit or crochet anything you could imagine, and most especially the way she touched each and every person who was fortunate enough to have known her. We are all better for having loved and been loved by her. She will never be gone from our lives. Trudy is survived by her sister, Rose Longwell and family; brothers, Karl and Peter; her loving children, Joyce (Bob), Chuck, Tim (Katie), Tony (Leona), Raymond (John), Thomas (Shirley), Willy (Kelly), Celeste (Jay), foster daughter, Marci (Bob); numerous relatives and "children" that have been, and continue to be, a part of her family. She also leaves behind a well-loved and cherished group of friends. Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Emily Horlacher; her son, Patrick John; and her grandson, Christopher Michael. Trudy was a woman who did not compromise the values and principles that guided her life. She expected her family to live lives that represented and honored their heritage and did not accept anything less. She gave to us a traditional and lasting influence that will guide us all for the rest of our lives. Special appreciation to the staff and physicians of the Cancer Care Center, Skagit Hospice and Rabbi Levi Backman. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be sent to the American Cancer Society or Children's Orthopedic Hospital. A memorial service will be planned for a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Affordable Burial & Cremation Services, LLC of Mount Vernon, Washington. Cards of condolence may be sent to the family in c/o the funeral home.