North Greenbush- Gertrude E. (Schmueser) von der Heide, 92, a longtime resident of Cropseyville, died peacefully, Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Home following a short illness.
Born in Shanghai, China, August 16, 1929, Gertrude was the daughter of the late Fritz and Martha (Achenhausen) Schmueser and, for 54 years, the loving wife of the late Hans W. von der Heide, who predeceased her September 6, 2008.
Mrs. von der Heide was a graduate of Kaiser Wilhelm High School in Shanghai.
Over her lifetime, Mrs. von der Heide lived on three different continents. At 21 years old she relocated to Germany. In the early 1950’s she met her future husband while living there, and in 1958 relocated to the United States and became a citizen. The couple established a home in Speigletown and began raising their family. More recently she has been a resident of Cropseyville, where she was a homemaker, raised her three daughters, and lovingly cared for her flower and vegetable gardens.
In 1990 after her children were grown, she took a position as the librarian at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. She enjoyed working with the students, faculty, and all the wonderful books. After more than ten years of service, she retired in the year 2000.
Mrs. von der Heide was a member of the Hoosic Valley Community Church in Schaghticoke. In her quiet time, she enjoyed reading, traveling, tending her gardens, caring for her pets, and was a chocolate connoisseur.
Mrs. von der Heide is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Dina and Edward Holmes of Valley Falls, Elizabeth and Robert Zuliani of San Pedro, CA, and Linda von der Heide of Cropseyville, four grandchildren and their spouses, Jeremy Holmes, Anneliese Holmes, Kristen and Justin LaRose, Joshua Kaplowitz and Catherine Cleary and Amelia and Brian Manders, four great-grandchildren, Leo Kaplowitz, Jackson Manders, Emerson Manders, and Mason Manders, and a niece and nephew. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothea and Ross Peterson.
A funeral service for Mrs. von der Heide will be held on Thursday, August 26, at 12:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown, with Rev. Clyde McCaskill officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Schaghticoke. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Thursday, from 10:00 am– noon.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Residents Programs Fund, care of Van Rensselaer Manor, 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180.
The von der Heide family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff, especially “The Lindas,” who provided outstanding care and support for Gertrude when she was under their care.
Born in Shanghai, China, August 16, 1929, Gertrude was the daughter of the late Fritz and Martha (Achenhausen) Schmueser and, for 54 years, the loving wife of the late Hans W. von der Heide, who predeceased her September 6, 2008.
Mrs. von der Heide was a graduate of Kaiser Wilhelm High School in Shanghai.
Over her lifetime, Mrs. von der Heide lived on three different continents. At 21 years old she relocated to Germany. In the early 1950’s she met her future husband while living there, and in 1958 relocated to the United States and became a citizen. The couple established a home in Speigletown and began raising their family. More recently she has been a resident of Cropseyville, where she was a homemaker, raised her three daughters, and lovingly cared for her flower and vegetable gardens.
In 1990 after her children were grown, she took a position as the librarian at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. She enjoyed working with the students, faculty, and all the wonderful books. After more than ten years of service, she retired in the year 2000.
Mrs. von der Heide was a member of the Hoosic Valley Community Church in Schaghticoke. In her quiet time, she enjoyed reading, traveling, tending her gardens, caring for her pets, and was a chocolate connoisseur.
Mrs. von der Heide is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Dina and Edward Holmes of Valley Falls, Elizabeth and Robert Zuliani of San Pedro, CA, and Linda von der Heide of Cropseyville, four grandchildren and their spouses, Jeremy Holmes, Anneliese Holmes, Kristen and Justin LaRose, Joshua Kaplowitz and Catherine Cleary and Amelia and Brian Manders, four great-grandchildren, Leo Kaplowitz, Jackson Manders, Emerson Manders, and Mason Manders, and a niece and nephew. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothea and Ross Peterson.
A funeral service for Mrs. von der Heide will be held on Thursday, August 26, at 12:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown, with Rev. Clyde McCaskill officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Schaghticoke. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Thursday, from 10:00 am– noon.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Residents Programs Fund, care of Van Rensselaer Manor, 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180.
The von der Heide family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff, especially “The Lindas,” who provided outstanding care and support for Gertrude when she was under their care.