Gertrude 'Trudy' L. Friest

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Gertrude "Trudy" L. Friest, 97, of 1904 Hedgewood, Bloomington, Ill., formerly of Crosslake, died at 1:22 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003, at McClean County Nursing Home, Normal, Ill.

Her funeral was today at Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington, Ill., with the Rev. Vincent Peters officiating. Graveside service will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Melrose, Iowa. Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials to St. Jude's Hospital or American Diabetes Association.

Gertrude was born March 19, 1906, at Melrose, Iowa, the daughter of John and Anna Fitzgerald Luttrell. She married Clarence E. Friest June 1, 1929, at Chicago. He died June 1, 1983.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Kay (Bill) Zeter, Bloomington, Ill.; five grandchildren, David Fairfield, Fayetteville, Ark., Garry (Barbara) Fairfield, Crystal Lake, Ill., Karen (Tim) Warner and Kati (John) Faletti, both of Peoria, Ill., Laura (Mike) Billimack, Champaign, Ill.; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Four sisters and two brothers preceded her in death.

Trudy received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of Iowa. She worked as an accountant for Western Electric (AT&T) until her retirement.