Gertrude Ann Burns

Gertrude (Trudy) Lorenz Burns died May 8, 2025. She was 101. Funeral service will be held on May 20, 2025, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic church, 19099 E Floyd Ave, Aurora, CO 80013 at 10:30am. Gene and Trudy will be interred together at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Trudy was born December 13, 1923 on a farm near Britt, Iowa. She is survived by her daughters Margot (Henrik) and Barbara Krause (Steve) grandsons Jordan and Duncan Hammar, Alex Krause and granddaughter Madeleine Krause (Theo), along with many nieces and nephews, and her brothers-in-law Paul Devine and Allen Burns. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Gene, her parents, Joseph and Antoinette Lorenz, brothers John and Bert, sisters Rita Lass (Alvin), Sally Devine (Paul), and Irene Jackson (Wally).

Trudy received her education at Liberty #3 elementary school, Britt High School and the American Institute of Business. She spent her early working career as a secretary, although after Margot and Barb were born she became a homemaker. She spent many hours volunteering at the children’s schools and later chauffeuring and spending hundreds of hours poolside cheering on the girls at their swimming meets. Trudy went back to part-time work as a secretary when the girls were in high school and enjoyed this for many years.

Trudy enjoyed baking, knitting, golfing, playing bridge and sheepshead, and bowling into her 95th year. After Gene retired in 1990 he and Trudy joined Elderhostel and enjoyed 17 varied trips in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. They also traveled to Europe twice. In 2003, Gene and Trudy abandoned the cold winters of Milwaukee and moved to Heather Gardens in Aurora, Colorado to be near Margot and family. A few years later Barb and family moved to Denver, bringing the family together. In the fall of 2018, Trudy and Gene sold their condo in Heather Gardens and moved into independent living in St. Andrew’s Village right across the street. This a was a big adjustment, but Trudy didn’t have to cook anymore and that was a big treat!