Gertrude "Trudy" Swierz

Gertrude “Trudy” M. Swierz, 76, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, with her family at her side. She was born in Hammond, IN on January 5, 1932 the daughter of the late Albert and Katherine (nee: Burgard) Petry. Trudy lived in various parts of the country until moving to Racine in 1954. Trudy served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1950 until 1952. She graduated from Gateway Technical College with an associate degree in accounting. She had been employed by Ridgewood Care Center and High Ridge Nursing Home for over 28 years, retiring in 1992. Trudy was a member of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed watching ice hockey sewing, reading, and playing Bingo. Trudy also enjoyed playing Schafskopf at both the Imperial Apartments and the Humble Park Senior Center. She had been married to Roy Christofferson, James Bronson, and Fred Swierz. Trudy just loved to have fun and will be missed by all who knew her. Surviving are her children, Roy (Jude) Christofferson of Idaho Falls, ID, Harry (Joni) Christofferson, Patricia Tilley all of Racine, and Russell (Tammy) Bronson of Milwaukee; 11 grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, and Sean Christofferson, Cori, Michael, Tricia, and Kristina Tilley, Katie, Nathan, Olivia, and Graham Bronson; 4 great-grandchildren, Elena, Austin, Hailie and Natalie; brother, Leo (Bertha) Petry of Santa Fe, NM; cousins Agnes Paulius and Flo Liittjohann; and her best friend Rose Marie Glodowski. Trudy’s Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 16th at 10:00 a.m. in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., with Father Mark R. Jones officiating. Relatives and friends can meet with the family, in the funeral home, on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the mass. Inurnment, with full military honors, will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Trudy asked that her obituary end with her favorite saying, “BYE NOW!!”