Gertrude Augusta Huster

April 5, 1960 – June 7, 2023

Gertrude Augusta Huster, of Carmel Indiana passed away peacefully on June 7, 2023. Gertrude was born April 5, 1960, in Leonardtown, Maryland. She was preceded in death by her father, James Lambert Russell, Sr. Gertrude grew up and attended schools in Charles County Maryland and then earned her undergraduate degrees in Statistics and Math from Virginia Tech (VT) after receiving a scholarship for Minorities (Women in STEM) with financial need. She then went on to earn her Master of Health Science in Biostatistics from the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Public Health, now the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health.

On October 18, 1986, Gertrude married William J. Huster, Sr. (Bill) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bryantown, Maryland. She and Bill moved to Carmel in 1992 with their growing family. Gertrude was a compassionate soul who put her faith and family first in her life.

She received a college scholarship from the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD. While attending VT, she co-opped at the Anti-Submarine Warfare Department (ASW). At the time, she was the only woman in the department working in a STEM-related field. Through her perseverance and determination and her desire to travel, she worked hard to become part of the flight crew, learning to swim despite not knowing much more than how to doggy paddle.

Gertrude had a desire to use statistics for the benefit of others and, when she took a Cultural Geography course in college, she found her calling. She knew then she wanted to get a degree in Public Health and to pursue research. She first worked for Gastroenterology and the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama Birmingham and later worked at the University of Cincinnati in Cardiovascular research and with Drs. Brott and Broderick on Stroke research. Upon moving to Carmel, she continued her research and was the liaison between the School of Nursing and Department of Biostatistics as well as the Manager of the Master’s-level Biostatistics staff providing mentorship and guidance to Master’s-level statisticians. She co-authored many publications, most notably her work with Dr. Joan Austin on Children with Epilepsy. She left this position in 1998 after the birth of her fifth child and settled into life as a Manager of Minors (MOM).

Those who knew Gertrude best knew she loved to sing, coach, and contribute to her community. She was an active volunteer for Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Thanksgiving basket drive, and Relay for Life of Carmel, just to name a few. For 28 years she served in the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Gertrude will be recognized by many as a Cantor at the 8 am Mass. She coached CYO kickball and volleyball, opening each game with a prayer to St. Sebastian, the Patron Saint of Athletes to encourage sportsmanship. Her family history of Breast Cancer and Bone Cancer led to her involvement with Relay for Life where she served as a team captain from 2011 to 2017.

In addition to her Dad, Gertrude was preceded in death by Lee Russell, Jessica Hinchy, as well as her Grandparents and many Aunts and Uncles.

Gertrude is survived by her loving husband, William J. Huster, Sr.; her devoted children: William Huster, Jr. (Sylvia), Nicholas Huster “Nick” (Diana), Kara, Sofia and Maria; her 2 grandchildren, and many of her extended family.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/

Visitation for Gertrude will begin at 9:00 am on Saturday, June 10th at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church with a Recitation of the Rosary at 10:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 11:00 am. Final services will be at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leppertmortuarycarmel.com for the Huster family.