Gertrude F "Trudi" Jex

Gertrude Frances “Trudi” Jex, 94, of Kimball Township, formerly of Marysville, died Wednesday, October 5, 2016.

She was born to the late Howard and Frances Nelson on May 30, 1922 in Pointe Aux Barques, Michigan at the U.S. Coast Guard Station. She attended Port Huron Area Schools and graduated from Port Huron High School in January 1941.

On November 7, 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles J. Jex, at Gratiot Park Methodist Church. She endured having him called up twice for active duty with the U.S. Navy, once during World War II and again during the Korean War. Her faith, strength and family kept her going during those very difficult years. Charles died January 27, 2002.

Trudi worked for several employers during her lifetime, including Webb Coal Company in Port Huron, Chrysler Corporation in Marysville, J.L. Hudson in Detroit, Huck Manufacturing in Detroit, Port Huron Hospital and Port Huron High School.

In 1955, the family moved to St. Clair Shores where Trudi and Charles joined Grosse Pointe Baptist Church and became advisors of the youth group and sang in the Chancel and Radio choirs. In 1965, they returned to Marysville and First Baptist Church of Port Huron. Trudi was very active in teaching Sunday School, leading junior church, singing in the choir and serving on the Diaconate as a member and chairperson. She held several positions in the Women’s Missionary Society. She became involved with the American Baptist Women/Southeastern Area and later American Baptist Women of Michigan. She served as president of ABW of Michigan from 1979 to 1982.

Always staying active, Trudi became a member of Church Women United, again holding several leadership positions. In 1988, she was recognized as a Church Women United Valiant Woman. In addition, she provided bookkeeping services for the First Baptist Nursery School for several years.

She is survived by her daughter, Kay (Tom) Yuhasz of Marysville; son-in-law, Curt Dressler of Rochester Hills; three grandsons, Chris (Sarah) Miciek of Havertown, Pennsylvania, John (Paula) Dressler of Royal Oak and Paul (Heidi) Dressler of Lafayette, Louisiana; five great grandchildren, Elliot and Katrina Miciek and Dylan, Madison and Jacob Dressler; a sister, Ann Miller; three nephews, Art, Dave and Scott Miller and their families; a special niece, Donna Cooper-Dennis and her daughters, Lauren and Katie; special friends, Deborah Brown and the “Nursery School Lunch Bunch;” several beloved cousins; and an adopted granddaughter, Lisa Osmer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her daughter, Sue Dressler; her parents, Howard and Frances Nelson; her in-laws, Charles and Edna Jex; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marie and James Cooper; and brother-in-law, William Miller.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, October 10, 2016 in First United Methodist Church, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. The Reverend William Wright will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com.