Obituary of Gertrude Martin

Gertude “Trudy” Martin, 93, of Land O’ Lakes, Florida passed peacefully, surrounded by her daughters on March 7, 2024.  Trudy was born to the late Heinz and Elisabeth Schwarz on March 14, 1931, in Offenbach, Germany.  She was the devoted and loving wife of the late Hugh Doyle martin, whom she married in 1951.  They celebrated 56 years of marriage before his passing in 2007.

Trudy entered the United States through Ellis Island in 1948, through a sponsorship of her father’s brother.  She enrolled and completed a License Practical Nurse Certificate in 1950.  This began her life’s work of caring for and giving to her community. 

Trudy had many leadership and volunteer opportunities throughout her lifetime.  She was instrumental in forming the first Girl Scout Troops as a neighborhood director in Land O’ Lakes.  She devoted 35 years to the organization.  She introduced and led the first Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Land O’ Lakes and devoted years of service beginning in mid-1970 until her passing.  She dedicated 10,641 hours as a volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital in various capacities until 2020. 

She was a charter member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.  She has served in every volunteer capacity over the last 50 years.  She believed in God and shared her faith and joy.

Trudy was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother (Ome) to eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; brother, Hans Schwarz; son, Hugh Doyle Martin Jr; and son in law, Gilbert Kunster.  She is survived by her daughters; Elizabeth (Michael) Wilson, Anna Kunster, and Rosalie Martin; grandchildren; Tracy (Tommy) Sweet, Martin (Heather) Burke, Jeffrey Kunster, Amber Kunster, Kendra (Garrett) Stoll, Kurt (Adinda) Schreiber, William (Ilana) Schreiber, and Shannon Grippando; great grandchildren, Steven Burke, Sydney Burke, Stella Jarboe, Quentin Sweet, Parker Schreiber, and Emily Schreiber.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in memory of Trudy.