Dec. 4, 1926 — March 8, 2015

Gertrude J. Burns (Rudd), 88, of Niles, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2015 in her home surrounded by her loving family.

A Christian Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 212 N. Front Street in Dowagiac with Father Kevin Covert officiating. Private burial will take place in June where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Raymond Burns, at the National Cemetery at Ft. Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Gertrude online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Gertrude was born Dec. 4, 1926, in Marks, Mississippi to Samuel and Florence (Peppers) Rudd. She grew up in the Yazoo City, MS area. She married Raymond Burns on June 14, 1948, in Chicago. She was a CNA and worked many years in the health care industry in Ohio and Chicago and also worked at Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac for many years. Her garden and landscaping was the envy of many as she had quite the green thumb. Gertrude was very active all her life in the church and she also loved to travel. She loved genealogy and was very knowledgeable about her family history and lineage and also enjoyed playing cards and loved spending time with her family.

Gertrude is survived by six children, Rae Ellen Burns of Dallas, Texas; Norman (Sheryl Benkert) Burns of Dowagiac; Helen E. Burns of Niles; Marla J. Burns of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Kenneth E. Burns of Niles and Angela C. (Jerry) Poarch of Topeka, Kansas. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and by two children, Norma D. Thompson and Barbara Affriseo.