Gertrude N. Wiederspahn White

On January 2, 2011, Gertrude N. White, another of the” Greatest Generation”, found her wings and joined her husband of 67 years, Clifford B. White, who preceded her in death by 3 months. Their reunion along with those friends and family, who previously departed, is a blessing that brings great comfort to her family; especially knowing that there lifelong love of dancing together has begun anew.

Gertrude was born on January 11, 1922, in Bartlett, Texas, the daughter of Harry and Ami Wiederspahn. She lived the hard life that farm living was at the time with no telephone, no electricity, and no navigable roads except in good weather. She and her two brothers rode horses to school and her early clothes washing experiences were outside over an iron kettle of fire-heated water. It was that tough, but loving, life that shaped her ability to accept life as it came to her and to be happy with it. She firmly believed that “Things always worked out”. The farm life yielded plenty to eat, but not much money. When she attended the University of Texas from 1939-1943, she did so on the “barter system”. Her dad traded crops, pork, and beef for the cost of tuition and books, and she lived in “co-operative house” where all cooking, cleaning and maintance was shared with all the girls living in the house.

She graduated with a Home Economics degree and married C.B. on July 12, 1943, at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, with whom she celebrated 67 years of love and companionship. Immediately after their marriage, C.B. shipped out to the South Pacific, and Gertrude spent their years apart teaching at Robstown High School. After the war, she and C.B. settled in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they lived until 2005 when they moved to Midland, TX. She was a loving mother and confidant to Ronnie, Randy and Judy, her three children, over the years. Once they were all past elementary school age she taught special Education classes at Wynn Seale Junior High school in Corpus Christi. During those years, she took up the game of golf and learned to love it as much as C.B. did. They had decades of fun and companionship with their golfing friends, as well as a lifetime of dancing enjoyment. They joined several dance clubs over the years. She was a member of Parkway Presbyterian Church and taught Sunday school there on several occasions. She was also active in supporting the young adult programs of high school and college age kids. She was a generous, kind, loving wife, mother and friend and well liked and respected by all who knew her.

Gertrude is survived by her children: Ronald H. White and spouse Marci M. White of Austin, TX; Randal Dean White of Austin, TX and Judy White Oliver and spouse Dr. Larry Dale Oliver of Midland, TX. She has eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Tuesday January 4, 2010, at Ellis Funeral Home between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. Funeral services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, 2010, at the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Bill Billet officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. The family wishes to express their thanks to Manor Park and its many caring employees who took such great care of Gertrude in both the assisted living and Alzheimer’s care units.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Manor Park, Inc., 2208 N. Loop 250 W, Midland, TX 79707.