Gertrude "Trudy" Blackstone

October 5, 1932 - March 28, 2021

Sturtevant - Gertrude “Trudy” Blackstone (nee Rutkowski) age 88, went to be with the Lord peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 28, 2021. Trudy was born in Milwaukee to John and Catherine (nee Sieracki) Rutkowski on October 5, 1932. She was employed at Ganton Technologies for over 25 years and was active in the union. She retired in 1997. Trudy was a faithful member and was actively involved at Saint Sebastian’s Catholic Church. She also was a member of Our Harmony Club. Trudy loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was delighted in going to all their major life events and extracurricular activities. Trudy loved watching her family ride dirt bikes at Bong Recreational Park. She also enjoyed camping, traveling, and playing slot machines. Trudy will be lovingly remembered by her children: Roxanne (Mike) Pfarr, Michael (Tina) Blackstone, and Michele (Chris) Bendix; grandchildren: Jerry, Krystal (Kevin), Angelo, Jasmine, Cindy (Chad), Jonathan (Rebecca), Jennifer, and April; great-grandchildren: Kevin Jr, Donovan, Brendan, Cian, Aubrianna, Kyle, Bella, Hank, Cheyann, Alana, Kevon, Nadia, Jackson, and Charlotte; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Trudy was preceded in death by her sisters: Alice Italiano, Mildred Zwickie, Lorraine Ulik, Esther Lubow, Mary Ann Jent, Shirley Beanlieu, and Cecile Marquardt; brother, Raymond Rutkowski; other siblings: Millie, Paul, Eddie, and LeRoy Reik; and former husband, Selwyn Blackstone. A celebration of Trudy’s life will be held at Saint Sebastian’s Catholic Church (3126 95th Street, Sturtevant, WI 53177) on Friday, April 9, 2021, starting with a visitation at 12:00 PM until 1:45 PM. A eulogy will begin at 1:45 PM with mass following at 2:00 PM. A service of committal will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends memorials to Our Harmony Club Inc., P.O Box 457, Sturtevant, WI 53177. The program is for elderly members of our community who have age-related challenges, including dementia. The Blackstone family would like to express their gratitude to Our Harmony club’s staff and friends for the many wonderful memories and programs. They also would like to thank Ascension at Home Hospice for their loving care of Trudy. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Trudy’s caregiver, Lorrie Peterson, for her love, compassion, and friendship to Trudy and the Blackstone family.