Gertrude Berndt

Gertrude Ann “Trudy” Berndt, 77, of Bridgman, died Sunday, February 21, 2016 at St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, Indiana from complications following surgery.

In lieu of a church service, there will be a time of remembering and sharing at 10AM Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Friends may meet with the family Wednesday from 5 - 8 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service, 7301 Red Arrow Highway, Stevensville, MI 49127. A live stream of the funeral service may be seen here at 10 AM Thursday.

Trudy was born March 27, 1938 in Marquette, MI the daughter of Vaino and Minnie Maki of Eben, MI. Trudy graduated from Eben High School (now Superior Central) in 1956. She worked in hospital records in Bridgton, New Jersey for several years. She returned to Marquette in 1963 and worked at Northern Michigan University in various positions, finally as an administrative assistant in the office of the president.

Trudy met her husband, Loren, on a blind date in early 1973. They were married November 3, 1973, in Eben, Michigan. They enjoyed 43 years together, traveling to all the lower 48 states and several Canadian Provinces. Beginning in 2002 they spent winters in Texas and Florida and did additional travel-RV-ing. Prior to her marriage, Trudy was able to visit most of the European countries on an extended vacation.

Trudy always had flowers in the house. Violets all the time, cut flowers in the summer, and most recently, orchids. She has kept a fern, received as a wedding gift, alive for 43 years. It even made a couple trips to Texas with her. She enjoyed collecting Bing and Grondel plates, Goebel angels, and miniature Christmas trees. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles. Her favorite TV programs were House Hunters, the Fox News Channel, and Michigan State basketball.

Trudy is survived by her husband Loren; brothers: Bernard and Marvin Maki of Eben, MI; nephews: Daniel Maki of Newago, MI, Timothy Maki of Jacksonville, Florida, James Todd Berndt of Bridgman; and nieces Tammy Metea of St. Joseph, MI, and Jessica Maki of Chatham, MI.

Trudy was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation

Wednesday February 24, 2016 , 5 - 8 PM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel

Remembering and Sharing Time

Thursday February 25, 2016 , 10 AM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel

Burial

Thursday February 25, 2016 at Graceland Cemetery