Gertrude Feutz Landenberger, of Olney and more recently Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2014 at the age of 99. 

Gertrude was born March 16, 1915 to Clarence Feutz and Naomi (Dodds) Feutz while her family homesteaded in Antler, North Dakota.  The family returned to Olney when she was three years old and she was raised here with her sister Helen and brother Clarence Jr.  Growing up in the era of the Great Depression, Gertrude knew frugality, and remembered owning just two dresses for school, alternately washed and ironed daily.

 A member of the First United Methodist Church, she sang in the choir with her sister Helen, her father Clarence and her uncle Tom Feutz.  While in high school, she enjoyed competitive success in local, regional and state voice competitions.  Gertrude shared the gift of her voice for many years, singing with the group The Merry Melodies, providing entertainment for Olney Chamber of Commerce events, Kiwanis, the Elks Club and many church socials. 

She married George Landenberger in 1935, and had one son, Dick Landenberger.  Dick recalls his mother giving devoted attention to both close and extended family members and friends in her community, attention which continued until the last year of her life.

Gertrude loved being with people and participating in community events.   As a young woman she worked in her family’s café on Main Street, in Woolworth’s, Tresslar’s 5 and 10, and later at Gaffner’s.  With her mother-in-law, Cricket Landenberger, she worked in direct sales, offering sterling and plated tableware to families around the state.   Gertrude was active in the United Fund Drive, the Olney Tour of Homes, and the sorority of Delta Theta Tau.  Long-time Olney residents may remember her Lustron home decorated with festive holiday decorations, especially at Christmas-time.   

Before husband George passed away in 1976, Gertrude enjoyed golfing and traveling the country, especially the trip from Olney to Dallas to see her son and his family.  She traveled to Europe with friends and cruised the Caribbean with granddaughters.   Special companions later in life, Charlie Wilson and C.D. Decker, shared her love of travel and kept her vibrant and curious. 

In 2008 Gertrude moved to Dallas, Texas to be nearer her son and his family.  She found enjoyment in local shopping and restaurants, family milestones and celebrations, and her dear pet dog, Princess. 

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Helen White, and brother Clarence E. Feutz Jr.  She is survived by her son, Dick Landenberger and wife Anita of Dallas, TX; Granddaughters Christina Schuh and her children Joe and Katie of Dallas, TX; Beth Price and husband Bill and her children Kerry and Kelly Nott of Olney, IL; Ellen Oliver and husband Gary and their children Jackson, Jake and Emma of Frisco, TX; nephew Bill White of Olney, IL, niece Ann Hill, and nephew Bradley Landenberger both of Oak Ridge, TN.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home.  A private family service follows for internment in the Landenberger plot at Haven Hill Cemetery.

Information provided by Dick Landenberger, Class of '57