- Date Of Birth: March 6, 1926
- Date Of Death: March 7, 2020
- State: Michigan
Gertrude passed away the day after her 94th birthday in Angleton, TX. She was born in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Harold and Clara (Peckham) Adams. On April 19, 1946 she was united in marriage to LaVerne Clare VanAvery, who preceded her in death on July 31, 2005.
Gertrude graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, then worked as a switchboard operator in Benton Harbor while Clare was with the Army overseas during WWII. Once married she settled into life as a homemaker and mother. Later she drove the Special Education school bus for Climax-Scotts Schools for many years.
Her hobbies included roller skating, sewing, camping and traveling, sailing on her sailboat, and playing cards. Gertrude mentioned to her daughter recently that she had hit the jackpot with Clare as her husband. They did almost everything together. They were always there for their childrens’ activities like band, sports, 4-H, and church. They were active in the Pride of Scotts from the dream stages, fund raising, and construction of the Scotts Community Center. They spent many years square and round dancing. In retirement Clare and Gertrude spent some time traveling and wintered in Texas. After Clare’s passing Gertrude still spent the winters in Texas, for the past several years with her son and daughter-in-law.
Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of nearly 60 years, brother Nelson Adams, daughter Terricia, granddaughter-in-law Sandra, and great-granddaughter Alyssa. She is survived by her children: Barbara (Don) OConnor of Scotts, MI, and Gerald (Sheri) VanAvery of Sweeny, TX; grandchildren: Kelly (Steven) Bird, Shaun OConnor, Ben (Regina) VanAvery and Chris (Erika) VanAvery; great-grandchildren: Allison OConnor, Kaleen (Marcus) Martinez, McKenna Lewis, Zane, Caden, David and Nathan VanAvery; great-great-grandsons Drax Martinez and Linkon Martinez due this month; a special cousin Marian (Adams) Orwig, and cousin John Adams.
