Gertrude Mieras

With unwavering faith and love, Trudy Mieras lived completely and fully in the love of her Lord. She was the type of woman who placed the needs of others before her own, and lived selflessly giving to others. Her family was her treasure, and in them she found her greatest joy. Devoted and dedicated, she gave her all and will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.

The decade of the 1920s forever changed the landscape of America. From prosperity to financial devastation, it was indeed a turning point in the history of our nation. The year 1923 especially moved America in many new directions. Women won the right to vote, the entertainment industry boomed, and the wave of industrial expansion provided much for the American people. For William and Jenny (Mulder) De Vries, these days of plenty proved to be bright with hope.

William came to America from Groningen, the Netherlands as a young man searching for a future when he met and married his wife, Jenny Mulder from McBain, Michigan. Making their home in the riverfront city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, they settled in the predominantly Dutch southwest side of the city. He supported his family as a painter while his wife remained at home as a homemaker. Already blessed with two children, the spring of 1923 found them counting their blessings even more with the birth of their third child, a little girl they named Gertrude, born on March 27.

Gertrude, or Trudy as she was affectionately referred, was raised in their family home at 715 Griggs Street SW. As a family they were not only close to one another, but also to the other Dutch families in their community, and through their church family at Grandville Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Trudy and her family later welcomed the addition of four more siblings, making for a bustling household of seven children in all. Each was expected to do their part in making for a smooth running household, and throughout their lives remained ever close.

Trudy attended Southwest Christian Grade School where she enjoyed the friendships of many. While attending Davis Tech High School, she became involved in various organizations such as the Girl’s Athletic Association and The Personality Club. She worked on staff for her school paper, The Technologian, as well as The Beacon, the school yearbook. Her love of music also found her singing as a member of the A Cappella Choir.

After graduating from Davis Tech in 1942, Trudy took a clerical position working for Kindel Furniture Company. Furthering her love for music, she also began taking accordion lessens at the Middleton's Music Studio on Plainfield NE. Sunday evenings always found the De Vries family gathered together at home for a time of fellowship and singing while Trudy accompanied them on her accordion.

While attending her lessons at Middleton's, a young man, Dennis Mieras, was persuaded by a mutual friend of Trudy's to escort her home one evening. The two found much in common and began a dating relationship. Before long a romance blossomed, and they were happily married on February 19, 1946 before a congregation of family and friends at the Klise Memorial Chapel of East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids. They spent a memorable honeymoon in the big city of Chicago, Illinois before heading home to begin their new life which would come to span 58 wonderful years together.

Trudy continued her career at Kindel until 1947 when their first child, their son, Bill was born. Son, Terry followed in 1950, and daughter, Julie completed their family in 1954. They raised their family in their home at 1007 Leonard Street NE and for 40 years made many treasured memories there. During this time they faithfully attended Creston Christian Reformed Church where Trudy was active in the choir and bible studies, and together she and Dennis participated in the Couple's Club. Later in life, they eventually became members of East Leonard Christian Reformed Church.

As a stay-at-home mother, Trudy was attentive and loving. She made a good home for her husband and children, especially providing them with her exceptional meals. She was a lady with great talent in the kitchen who loved cooking and baking. Her cookies, pies, cherry ring coffee cakes, pecan and cinnamon rolls were simply the best. Some of her finest dinners included her delicious grilled chicken.

Together as family they spent many enjoyable vacations in upper Michigan which they always looked forward to. Later in life, Dennis and Trudy ventured on vacations, traveling to Florida, Arizona and Georgia. Over the years she found contentment working in her beautiful flower gardens. She also loved Christian music, the hymns of her youth and easy listening music.

When their children grew and had families of their own, the time came to make living a little easier. They sold their longtime family home on Leonard and moved to 919 Andover Ct. SE where they remained for the next 14 years. Their family grew to include two wonderful daughters-in-law, Carole and Jill, along with five cherished grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

In the spring of 2004, they once again moved, making their home at the Hearthstone Assisted Living Center which greatly helped with their growing needs. Sadly, Trudy's beloved Dennis died several months later, in August of 2004. Although the days that followed were difficult, Trudy relied on her faith and the love and support from family. A few years later, Trudy suffered a broken hip, and began living at the Christian Rest Home where she remained for the rest of her days. She was forever grateful to the Christian Rest Home and their warm, loving staff that provided her with such wonderful care.

At the age of 89, Gertrude "Trudy" Mieras passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2012. She was a woman whose kindness and care for others was placed before the needs of her own, and will be lovingly remembered in the hearts of many.

Besides her husband, Trudy was preceded in death by her son, Terry in 2009. She is survived by her children: Bill (Carole) Mieras, Jill Mieras, and Julie Mieras; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her brother, Richard (Bernice) De Vries; brother- in-laws: Russell Proos, and Donald Zoodsma; sisters-in-law: Marva De Vries and Dorothy Figg; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Trudy will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 1:00 PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. Friends may visit with her family on Tuesday from 6-9 PM and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Special thanks to the Christian Rest Home staff for their love and Christian concern in the care of Gertrude. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Christian Rest Home Foundations are appreciated. To share a special memory and to sign her online guest book, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.