After a courageous multi-year fight with cancer and dementia, Trudy Van Buskirk, known to many as Omi, 86, passed away in her sleep Saturday, April 7, 2018, in the comfort of her home. Born December 29, 1931, in Lorrach, Germany, she was the fifth of 14 children of Emma and Heinrich Gerlach. She had a life well-lived. She was a fun-loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Long retired, being a grandmother brought her tremendous joy. She loved to expose her grandchildren to all of the things that she did and they loved to reminisce with her about their adventures together. Once she set her mind to it, there was almost nothing she couldn't do. A wonderful cook, baker, seamstress, knitter, gardener, handy-woman and an avid reader, Trudy filled her days with many projects, always willing to lend a hand to others, no matter what. At the age of 22, Trudy left her homeland with her first husband, Hugh Smith, a U.S. Air Force sergeant, and their infant daughter, Patricia, to begin a life In the United States. They moved frequently across the country and back-and-forth to Europe. After they divorced, she married William Colligan and moved to California, where they had a daughter, Christina. In 1977, having no ties to bind her, she made what was her second move to Las Vegas. It was there that she met and married William Van Buskirk, with whom she travelled the world for more than 20 years. After William's passing and at the ripe old age of 70, Trudy met the love of her later life, Jerry Campbell, her hot, airline pilot, boyfriend. They were together until his passing. Las Vegas was her home where she found great joy, love and friendship. Trudy was preceded in death by her parents; all seven of her brothers; and two of her sisters. Left to honor her memory are her daughters, Patricia Schmitt and Christina Colligan; her grandchildren, Michael Schmitt, Peter Schmitt and Emma Colligan; son-in-law, Albert Schmitt; her sisters, Johanna Gillies Smith and family, Elizabeth Morehead and family, Elke Bertrand and family, and Freia Reuter and family; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved Cocker Spaniel, Schatzle, a.k.a. Cujo. She will be remembered not only for her beautiful blue eyes, but also for how strong she was, especially these last few years, and her ability to love with abandon and to forgive unconditionally. The family extends their gratitude to her doctors and staff at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, the staff in the blood transfusion department at Boulder City Hospital, Doctors Sonu and Shalini Bhatia and most especially to her primary care-giver and friend, Mattie Jordan. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, April 15, with celebration of her life following, both at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89123. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you direct your memorials, in Trudy's name, to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193.
