Gertrude Ella COSTNER

Obituary Published on November 4, 2009 in the Tulare Advance Register Gertrude "Trudy" Ella Tonn Trudy Tonn was born on April 11, 1926 in Heavener, Oklahoma. Trudy wasthe ninth of ten children born to Calvin Eddy and Gather Costner. Atan early age, Trudy moved to California with her family where theysettled in the Farmersville area. When she was sixteen, Trudy's fathermoved his family to San Francisco. The buildup for World World War IIwas happening and there was work to be done in the shipyards. Notwanting to go to the city, Trudy struck out on her own and moved toColorado to live with her brother Wayne and sister-in-law Darlene. Itwas in Colorado that Trudy finished her education. She learnedbookkeeping and secretarial skills, which would be valuable to herlater in her life. Eventually Trudy settled back in Visalia to be closer to her family.Upon her return to Visalia, Trudy worked for the Social SecurityAdministration. In November 1964 Trudy married Harry Tonn. TogetherHarry and Trudy built a small flower shop, Peter Perkins flowers, intoa successful retail business. Harry ran the operations of the flowershop and Trudy kept the books and ran the office. Harry and Trudy werea good team and the business prospered. They sold the flower shop in1980 and retired. Trudy and Harry did some traveling during their retirement but mostlythey stayed close to home and family. Trudy was intellectually curiousand was an avid reader. She was a private person who preferred to behome while Harry was out collecting things and meeting people. Harryand Trudy was a close couple and had a loving relationship. Harrypassed away in November 2008. The past two years were difficult onesfor Trudy, but she faced each day with dignity and courage. Trudy passed away on Thursday evening, October 29, 2009 at her home.She was 83 years old. Trudy's family is grateful for the servicesprovided by Kaweah Delta Hospice and the wonderful and loving womenwho cared for Trudy over the past two years. Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harry, all ofher siblings and her stepdaughter Linda Anderson. She is survived byher loving step-daughter Arline Huckabay and her husband Troy. She was"grandma Trudy" to Jared McCormick, Kristi Jensen, MichaelSchillinger, Derek Anderson, Ryan Anderson, and Melissa Timpson.Additionally she was "Great-Grandma Trudy" to Kahlia and Tyler Jensen,Nate and Breanne McCormick, and Lava Timpson. Trudy had numerous nieces and nephews that include Greg and GordonRiddle, and Paula Smith. A graveside service for Trudy will be held on Friday, November 6, 2009at 1:30pm at the Visalia Public Cemetery. Friends, neighbors, andfamily are all welcome. Arrangements have been entrusted to Salser and Dillard Funeral Home. Published on November 04, 2009.

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