Gertrude "Trudy" Helene Bodnar

Gertrude “Trudy” Bodnar (nee Korzeniowski), age 101 of Warren, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2024. She was born on April 27, 1923, in Sun, West Virginia, a coal mining town. She is survived by her sons Robert (Barbara), Stephen, and Charles and her many nieces and nephews and their families. Trudy met Stephen Robert Bodnar on a blind date, and they were married on July 2, 1949, at Transfiguration Church in Detroit, with the reception at the Embassy Room in the Fisher Building.

Her 101 years on this earth is a time capsule of the history of this country. She was young enough to live in an era where women struggled for the right to vote yet old enough to see a woman run for President. She graduated from Detroit Pershing High in 1941, then enlisted in WWII, joining the Women’s Army Corp (Air Force) and serving from 1944 - 1946. She was proud of her military duty and made sure she put four small U.S. flags in the geranium pot on the front porch every Memorial Day to support her service and that of her three brothers.

After the War, Trudy was incredibly involved in several different businesses, as well as within her community. Trudy worked as a receptionist for Tann Corporation, was an associate at Kmart for many years, and even helped work in two of the family businesses: Novelty House and Matora Catering. She was a devoted member of St. Sylvester Catholic Church until their closing, then became a parishioner at St. Martin de Porres Parish. Trudy was also president of the Mother’s Guild at Detroit Cathedral High, loved to garden, cook, and play the piano.

She was a sentimentalist. Even when we were in high school, on the first day of school, she would sing “School Days” to us just like she did when we were in grade school. And she was a romantic. She had a Valentine's collection, and her favorite song was “Something” by George Harrison, her favorite artist. She admired the sculptures of Rodin, was an expert on the history of the British Royal Family, and loved watching the Detroit Tigers on TV. Most of all, she adored her sons, and her life was a loving testament to the sacrifices she made to further their happiness. Trudy lived a long and happy life and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation for Trudy will be held on Monday, June 24th from 12pm until the time of her Funeral Service at 4pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road, Warren, MI.

Please share memories of Trudy at her guest book below.