Gertrude M. Heimbigner

Gertrude (Trudy) M. Heimbigner died at the age of 80 on Thursday, Jan. 10, in Spokane.

She was born July 30, 1932, in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada, to Stan and Lilly (Stevenson) Collins. She grew up in St. John’s, where she attended school and graduated high school.

She later met Arnold “Fritz” Heimbigner and they were married on April 16, 1952 in St. John’s. They moved back to the states and lived in various communities like Odessa, Harrington and Reardan, before settling in Spokane.

She worked as a cook at Holy Family Hospital for over 20 years. She enjoyed bowling, gardening and volunteered for the Loren Miller Bike race, Bloomsday, various public events and she loved to golf.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Stan and Lilly; husband, Arnold Heimbigner, in 2003; grandson, Shawn Maurer in 2012; and two brothers, Cecil and George Collins.

She is survived by six children, Debbi (Alan) Mortlock, Lynn (Gary) Maurer, Renee (Mike) Peden, Yvonne (Buzz) Buzby, Fritz (Lisa) Heimbigner and Dale (Barbara) Heimbigner; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, John Collins and Brian Collins; sister, Dorothy Angel; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services are pending. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillcrest Cemetery Endowment Care Fund, PO Box 34, Harrington, WA 99134; or the North Central Care Center Comfort Care Program, 1812 N. Wall St. Spokane, WA 99205.

Strate Funeral Home of Davenport is entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be left at the online guest book at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com.