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Gertrud J. ‘Trudy’ Romanski

Dec. 21, 1934 — May 9, 2019

Gertrud J. “Trudy” Romanski, 84, passed peacefully in her sleep during the morning hours of May 9, 2019, in Spirit Lake, Idaho, with family by her side.

Trudy was born as Gertrude Johanna Geertsen (she later dropped the “e” on the end of her name) on Dec. 21, 1934, to Jens Edward and Petra Elvira (Christiansen) Geertsen in Pasadena, Calif. Her father, Jens, was born in Orange, N.J., on June 7, 1907, to young Danish immigrants, Christian and Meta Andrea (Nielsen) Geertsen. The small family returned to Denmark in 1909, where his three siblings were later born. They returned as a family through Ellis Island in 1924 and settled in Pasadena, Calif. Her mother, Petra was born in Kolding, Denmark, to Ludvig Pafus-Johan and Sophie Christence (Andersen) Christiansen, on Feb. 11, 1909, and immigrated on July 4, 1922, at 13 years old through Ellis Island to California, where her mother’s sister had settled. Trudy remained proud of her Danish roots her entire life.

Trudy first married Robert Lee Sisson, on July 9, 1954, in Los Angeles County, Calif. Two daughters were born to this union, Susan and Karen. She married second, Robert Romanski on Nov. 27, 1959, in Las Vegas, Nev. One son was born to this union: Robert. Her second husband remained the love of her life and was referred to as “Daddy” by all three children, despite his sudden passing in 1967. After her children were grown, she moved in 1976 from California to a small farmhouse in Spirit Lake, Idaho, and resided within a half mile radius of the farmhouse the remainder of her life. Her children followed her north soon after and her daughter, Karen, now owns the original farmhouse.

Trudy was not the average lady of her time. She was proud, independent, hard-working and held her head high — no matter the life in front of her. Whatever needed done, she found a way to do it, especially if she deemed it too dangerous for the “guys” to do. Her account with the local hardware store was more precious to her than food, and she used power tools, hammers and screwdrivers with ease. She had an amazing sense of “un-ladylike” humor, found freedom in not conforming, played practical jokes on the unknowing and found reasons to enjoy life in the small unscripted moments.

She also saw and felt beauty in everything around her. Footprints in the sand, wet fishing nets on the dock, dolphins’ breath, ocean water on her bare skin, crystals fitting perfectly in her hand, snail shells, ginger root and strawberries in her yard were all approached with reverent awe for the gift she received in them.

But most importantly was the beauty she saw in all people. Her house and arms were always open to whomever needed them. She fostered, opened her home to those down on their luck and loved on people no matter their story or circumstance. She was an empath, whole-hearted in everything she did, gave unconditionally no matter the cost to her and touched every person she met with her grace, compassion, love, integrity and beautiful soul she carried with her. There was not a person who knew her who did not feel better about themselves in her presence. The world has lost one of its rarest and priceless gems.

Trudy is survived by her three children, Susan Taylor, Karen Marrone and Robert (Rita) Romanski; her three grandchildren: Christina (Richard) Goldstein, Doug Ford and Michelle (David) Tiffany; her five great-grandchildren, Atira and Thomas Tiffany, Gabriel and Angel Pugh and Arin Goldstein; her two sisters: Cecelia Geertsen and Madeleine (Johannes) Sorensen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jens (1952) and Petra (1988) Geertsen; her husband, Robert Romanski (1967); her son-in-law, Edward Marrone (2018), who tirelessly cared for her and her first great-grandchild, Nathan Tiffany (1999).

No formal services will be held per her request. A celebration of life gathering will be held by her family at her residence in midsummer.