Gertrude "Trudy" Tobias

Gertrude “Trudy” Wells Tobias RACINE—Gertrude Eleanor Wells Tobias (Trudy), 94, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 5, at Wheaton Franciscan Hospice. Trudy was born March 9, 1920, to Frank Lansing Wells and Hazel Morris Wells in Fairview, Oklahoma. At age 14, she moved with her parents to Lyons, Kansas, where she graduated from Lyons High School, then attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. On July 3, 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, the Rev. Robert (Bob) Tobias, of Lyons. In 1943, they moved to New York, where Trudy earned a master’s degree in art at Columbia University and demonstrated a talent for painting landscapes of the world around her. In 1945, they sailed to Paris, where Bob was involved in church work, while Trudy taught art at the American School. In Geneva, Switzerland in 1946, they began a busy family life. Four children were born (three surviving) before their return to the United States in 1953. With three more children born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Trudy’s life centered around nurturing her family in love. She continued to write to her many friends and family members across the Midwest and in Europe. She also loved to travel—a 6-month stay in Greece in 1964 was a family highlight. Two more moves followed, to Rock Island, Illinois (1965) and Racine, Wisconsin (1967). In Racine, Trudy responded to a heartfelt calling with long roots in her remarkable ability to hear the concerns of others. At 66, she earned a master’s degree in counseling from UW-Whitewater. For the next several years, she put her degree to professional use, listening deeply and responding to the family concerns of those she encountered in her work with Lutheran Social Services. In October 2010 her life of physically caring for others changed, as Bob, her beloved husband of 68 years, was laid to rest. But her interest in hearing from an ever-growing circle of family, friends, and even casual acquaintances continued for the rest of her life. Hundreds of people, even strangers, were touched by a word, a call, or a note from Trudy. Having lost her first child (Carol Lyn, age two months), and her last (Philip, age 10), Trudy knew depths as well as great heights. To the end she was sustained by a strong faith that “nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). Among many who celebrate her beautiful life are her children, Jan David Tobias (Joy) of Waynesboro, Virginia; Kathryn Tobias of Cheverly, Maryland; Mark Tobias (June Bauer), of Franktown, Colorado; Paul Tobias (Kari Kittermaster), of Racine; and Anne Tobias-Becker (James) of DePere, Wisconsin. Grandchildren include Laura Gruss (Richard), of Blacksburg, Virginia; Erin Tobias of Hartford, Wisconsin; Valerie Tobias Bentley (Jason) of Madison, Wisconsin; Vincent Tobias of Kenosha, Wisconsin; Lindsay Tobias of Great Lakes, Illinois; Eric Tobias of Racine; and Austin Becker of Seattle, Washington. Her great grandchildren are Rose, Lily, Danny, Briana, Gavin, and Julian. Trudy is preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her children, Philip and Carol Lyn, her parents and many others she loved. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 12, at 6:00 pm, following a 4:00-6:00 pm visitation, at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 2000 W. 6th Street, Racine. A private family interment service will follow on Friday at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Racine (http://hclcracine.org) or to Racine Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitatracine.org).

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Gertrude "Trudy" Tobias

March 9, 1920 - February 5, 2015