Hill, Gertrude M. “Trude” (nee Erickson)

Went home to Glory on August 20, 2021 at the age of 96, and reunited with her late husband William. Beloved mother of Sandra K. (John) Hight, Karen A. (Jack) Umpleby, Patricia L. Hill and Elizabeth J. (Steve) Sutherland. Proud grandmother of Bradley (Jen) Hight, Shaenna Umpleby, Krista (Steve) Mertes, Brynley Umpleby, Jacob Hight, Kylee Umpleby, Andrew Sutherland and Hannah Sutherland. Great-grandmother of Gracyn, Brennan, Caleb, Aviana, Colson, Canaan and Caysen. Sister of Harry (Helen) Erickson and Wayne (the late Carol) Erickson. Sister-in-law of Frank (Carolyn) Hill and Art (Doris) Hill. Preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Frances Erickson, brothers Robert Erickson and Ernest (Joan) Erickson, parents-in-law Mayme and John Hill, and brother-in-law Donald Hill. Further survived by nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday August 27, 2021 at Schmidt & Bartelt in Menomonee Falls from 3:30pm until time of service at 5pm.

Trude was born at home in Union Grove, WI, on February 27th, 1925. Her older brother Bobby was very special to her—he passed away when she was 3 years old.

Trude attended the Normal School for elementary school and then attended Union Grove High School, where she met her high school sweetheart: William. After high school, she furthered her education at Racine-Kenosha Teacher’s College. She then taught in a one-room schoolhouse for two years during WWII.

Trude and William were married in 1945. She completed her bachelor’s education at Boston University as William finished his MBA at Harvard University. They moved to Whitefish Bay, WI—and afterward settled in Fox Point, WI, where they lived for 47 years.

One of her greatest joys in life was playing the piano. Trude accompanied her mother's singing for many years. Later on, she accompanied a wide array of special occasions at church.

She enjoyed spending time with her family at their winter home in North Port, FL, and summers at Pine Lake, Waushara Country, WI.