Gertrude Bunge Obituary

Bunge (nickname: Trudy), Gertrude Shoemaker

Gertrude Bunge nee Shoemaker, age 84, of Evanston, IL. Beloved wife of the late Jonathan G. Bunge. Loving mother of Jonathan (Jennifer) Bunge, William (Suzanne) Bunge, and Katherine Bunge. Cherished grandmother of Jack, Nicholas, Allison, Charles, Andrew, and Sara Bunge. Dear sister of Eleanor (Harry) Foltz and Audley (Grant) Hall and the late Katherine Shoemaker. Trudy (don't you dare call her Gertrude) was born in Detroit, Michigan, though spent most of her childhood in Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Arkansas. The eldest of four girls, Trudy was a PK (preacher's kid) and as such studied hard, obeyed her parents, and attended church faithfully. She had a happy childhood filled with many hours reading under a tree and pouring over logic puzzles. It was certainly this love of reading that fueled her curiosity for the world around her. In 1957 she left the South (and with it her accent) to attend Vassar College on a full scholarship. To no one's surprise Trudy majored in Mathematics. It was during her first weekend at Vassar that she met her future husband, Jon. Trudy's father would later recount that Jon, outgoing and spontaneous, was the perfect antidote to Trudy's more serious and introverted nature. The two married shortly after Trudy's graduation and moved to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for Jon's military service. Their first child, Jonathan, was born during this time. Upon discharge, Jon and Trudy settled in Evanston. A consummate multi-tasker, Trudy gave birth to her second son, William, while earning a Masters in Mathematics from Northwestern University and then went on to teach integral calculus at DePaul University for the next fifteen years. Her third child, Katherine, was born during this period. Jon and Trudy lived in many communities on the North Shore but spent the bulk of their family life in Kenilworth. It was important to Trudy to have family dinners every night, even if this meant eating well past 8pm. It was also important for Trudy and Jon to share their love of travel with their children. Most trips involved Trudy packing up the station wagon and driving the kids and Buster (the dog) to their destination; Jon would fly to meet the family later. This included annual summer trips to Arkansas and a six week camping road trip across the US to San Francisco with a 6, 9, and 12 year old. Trudy left teaching in 1982 to pursue an MBA at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. She then began her second career as the Director of Human Resources at the Presbyterian Homes. She served in this capacity for 18 years and was known for being respectful, kind, and smart. Trudy's last career move occurred in 2002 when she left the Presbyterian Homes to work with her husband at the family tavern, Will's Northwoods Inn, and its associated properties. She balanced the books, but is best known for making Trudy's Homemade Chili (the most popular item on the menu). Trudy was involved in many volunteer activities including the Evanston Junior League, League of Women Voters, and both the Boy and Girl Scouts Associations. She was an active member of the Holy Comforter Church and served on its vestry. Trudy enjoyed attending theater, symphony and opera performances with her husband; travelling the world with friends; taking classes on everything from world religions, to Irish Literature to magic, and spending time with her family, most especially her six grandchildren. In her later years Trudy suffered from dementia. The serious, cerebral, and ambitious woman slowly transformed into a light-hearted and comedic personality, while still maintaining her compassion, faith, and gratitude- the foundation of her character. Her world shrank, but her place in it, did not. Old Barbara, New Barbara, Krystyna, and a handful of other amazing care takers, ensured that the little girl's curiosity for the world around her never died. Trudy led a full and rich life and will be terribly missed. She was a one of a kind person whose sharpness was surpassed only by her kindness and devotion to others. She was the glue that held her family together. The persons whom she has left behind will be forever grateful for her guidance and love. Memorial Service Saturday, January 6, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Church of the Holy Comforter, 222 Kenilworth Avenue, Kenilworth, IL 60043. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Great Books Foundation. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or 847 675-1990.

Sign Guest Book at legacy.suntimes.com