Obituary of Gertraude H. Steinbrueck

Gertraude (Trudy) Steinbrueck, 95, passed away peacefully on 3/31/16, surrounded by her loving family in Bridgeway Care & Rehab Center, Hillsborough, NJ. Friends are welcome to attend the viewing on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 from 9-11am at Middlesex Funeral Home, 528 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex, NJ 08846. A religious service will begin at 11:00 am with burial to follow at Bound Brook Cemetery, Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook. Gertraude was predeceased by her beloved husband, Otto in 1972, whom she missed dearly. She is survived by her devoted daughters, Regina Van Herpen (Nicholas), Ursula Maloney (Richard), and Helga S. Dowds (Ed). She was "Oma" to her cherished grandchildren Kevin Van Herpen, Michelle Stephan, Gina Hernandez, and Anthony Maiorano. She was "Omama" to her dear great grandchildren Kristin, Kristopher, Austin, Courtney and Ava. Gertraude was born on 2/3/21, in Glauchau, Germany, and after many hardships and endurances, arrived in the U.S. in 1957, with her daughters to reunite with Otto, who had sought a better life in America. They settled in Brooklyn, NY, then Queens, NY, then Fair Lawn, NJ, and finally in Middlesex, NJ in 1967, to their dream home. She was a hard-working, loving, intelligent, meticulous, creative, and devoted housewife. She enjoyed baking delicious cakes and cookies for her family and neighbors, babysitting her grandchildren, reading and doing puzzles, sewing, gardening, playing Bingo, taking trips to Atlantic City with family, and family gatherings. After her husband died, she worked in Erika's Dress Salon, Somerville, NJ until retirement. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Prevent Child Abuse, NJ, 103 Church St. Suite 210, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Attn.: Gina Hernandez, The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank Bridgeway of Hillsborough, NJ, for the loving and responsive care our mother received for the past three years. A special thank you to Dr. Perry Leong, Middlesex, NJ, who always compassionately and expertly guided us through many years in the care of our Mother. Our "Mutti" is at last with our "Vati." May they rest in peace. We lovingly thank them for the hardships and sacrifices they made for us to have better lives.