GERTRUDE STRIETER SORSDAHL

Gertrude “Trudy” Strieter Sorsdahl, 102, of Riverside, CA, peacefully passed into the presence of her Lord, on March 8, 2023. She was born in Brazil on August 23, 1920, to Lutheran missionary father Rev. T.W. Strieter and mother Martha Strieter. At 8 months of age, Trudy and her 2 older sisters traveled with their parents by steamship to the USA. Trudy’s childhood/young adult years (until 1939) found her and family (eventually including 8 children) in Hinsdale, Ill, Valparaiso, Ind, and Evansville,Ind. where her father had accepted ministerial positions. By 1942, she had earned a professional nursing degree from Lutheran Hospital in St. Louis, MO, and was employed there as night nursing supervisor until her wedding. Trudy married Douglas W. Sorsdahl on August 23, 1942. They were blessed with 6 children, and were married 51 years until Doug died on December 22, 1993. Their first married years were interrupted by WWII yrs when her husband was sent overseas with the Army and returned home with injuries that greatly impacted their lives. Both parents were courageous in dealing with the challenges and were dedicated toward establishing a secure, loving environment for their family in Tacoma, Washington. Trudy’s life’s purpose was to love with God’s love, made so evident by her dedication to her husband and children, including foster children, some with significant disabilities. Outside of the home, she was actively involved with her children’s’ school and family church activities at Zion and Good Shepherd Lutheran churches, plus part-time work as an RN in hospitals and doctor’s clinic. In 1966 the family moved to Riverside, CA, where her husband began a teaching position at Norte Vista High School. There, besides settling her home and family, Trudy served in lay (“Stephen”) ministries through Lutheran Church of the Cross, visited residents of nursing homes, and volunteered for the Red Cross. When most of her children had grown and left home, she achieved degrees and licensing in Theology and Clinical Pastoral education. She served chaplaincy internships at Jerry Pettis Memorial Veteran’s Hospital in Loma Linda and at Patton State Hospital in the Criminal Code Ward. Then after M.S & MA degrees in Pastoral Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy, she interned as counselor/therapist at San Antonio de Pala Indian School. In 1994 Trudy founded the non-profit “A Place of Beatitudes”, offering spiritual-psychological support for both individuals and groups, continuing to serve until her mid-nineties. She also participated in the Association of Christian Therapists, Interfaith/Ecumenical services and outreach, Toastmasters club, and sang in the “Mission Belles”. She and her husband traveled often, at times in their R.V, to maintain ties with family in states around the U.S. She also traveled globally, with church groups to Italy, Greece, Israel, and with family members to Germany, Hawaii, and at age 90, to Brazil for the first time, to visit her birth country and relatives remaining there. In addition, she traveled to India where she assisted in a ministry establishing many homes and programs for gypsy children. She continued to support this cause for many years. Trudy was so grateful for these experiences steeped in history, people, culture, etc, boosting her conviction that all are God’s children. Through all these years and experiences, Trudy embraced family as her most treasured blessings on earth and instilled so much love for them to share and pass on. She will be greatly missed. Trudy was predeceased by her husband Douglas Sorsdahl, son William, son Steven, grandson Clint; sisters Lucy Connor, Ethel Heldt and Edith Quevedo; brothers Paul, James, Martin and Thomas Strieter. Trudy is survived by son Douglas Sorsdahl (Claudia) daughters Janice Forsline (Phil), Karen Newton (Michael), and Christine Weatherwax (Rick); daughters-in-law Carol Sorsdahl and Wanda Sorsdahl, 19 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews. Following a family service, Trudy will be laid to rest next to her husband at Riverside National Cemetery. It would honor Trudy’s life to direct any memorial donations to personal causes that continue to spread the spirit of God’s love, peace, compassion, and healing.

GERTRUDE STRIETER SORSDAHL

August 23, 1920 - March 8, 2023