Gertrude "Trudy" Elnora Goss

Gertrude "Trudy" Elnora Goss passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Jan. 27, 2016 at the age of 80 years old surrounded by her family singing songs of praises and offering prayers to her Savior. Trudy was born in Akron, Ohio to John David Ronk and Alma Elaine (Pierce) Ronk on Sept. 22, 1935. She attended school in Talmadge, Ohio until her mother fell ill, at which time Trudy stayed at home to take care of her. When her mother died in 1952, Trudy married the love of her life, Leonard Charles Goss in Phoenix, Ariz. on May 16, 1952. Trudy was a faithful wife of 34 years to Leonard during which time they had four children who have survived her: Daughter, Cathy Elizabeth (Goss) Bennett of Upton, Calif.; Son, Stephen Michael Goss of Fredericksburg, Va.; Daughter, Julie Ann (Goss) Hankins of Broken Arrow, Okla.; and, Daughter, Bonnie Jean (Goss) Gondolfi of Charleston, Ark. Trudy also had 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. After Leonard's death in 1986, Trudy remained a widow until her death. She stated at one time, "I married the best and no one else could take his place!" Trudy was a stay-at-home mom during the early years of her children's upbringing and while Leonard was in the Navy. She was a wonderful homemaker and an excellent cottage home business woman selling products to help support the family. In 1967 when, after 24 years of honorable service, Leonard retired from the Navy, they moved the family from East Meadow, New York to Rogers, Ark. settling near Leonard's parents, the late Claude E. and Viola E. (Hudson) Goss of Garfield, Ark. At that time, she completed her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classification. Trudy worked in Rogers and Bentonville, Ark. as a CNA in a couple of nursing homes and at Roger's Memorial Hospital. Additionally, she served as a CNA at the Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. In 1971, Trudy was honored with a CNA position at the Veteran's Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. where she served for 43 years. She particularly enjoyed working on the "psych" ward with patients who were elderly and affected by the wars. She retired in November of 2013. Trudy lived out her final years after retirement at home enjoying family members and taking trips to Eureka Springs to see the "Passion Play." Trudy will be buried at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark. with her late husband Leonard. If you desire to send expressions of love and memorial in Trudy's honor, please make a donation to Grace Hospice, PO Box 33234, Tulsa, OK 74153-1234. www.tulsacremation.com.