Gertrude Hoople

Gertrude Hoople, 100, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2016 in her home. A life long resident of Rockford, she was born April 5, 1916, the 5th of 9 children of Adolf and Myrtle (Bullis) Ruefer. She married Bert Hoople on December 23, 1934 and celebrated 58 years of marriage before he passed away in 1992. For many years Gert worked as a cafeteria manager in the Rockford Public Schools, including Elmwood School, Nashold Elementary, and Auburn High School. She was a great cook and hostess for countless dinners and gatherings of family and friends, always bringing people together for a good time. She was an avid bridge player and an even more avid reader, always willing to lend her books and her opinion of them. She loved to travel and enjoyed seeing new places and meeting new people. Through the years she provided a comfortable and nurturing place for numerous family members and their friends to have a meal or an overnight stay. She loved most to spend time with family, and, until the end, enjoyed hearing about everybody's activities.

She and Bert had 3 children, Carol (Bill) Johnston, both deceased, Bill (Pat) of Rockford, and Allen (Susan) of Fort Collins, CO; 6 grandchildren - Ben Johnston (Anne) of Homer Glen IL, Stephen Johnston of Glenview, IL, Fred Hoople (Kathy) of Rockford, Dana Schmidt of Rockton, Nathan Hoople (Susan) of Denver, CO, and Erin Hoople(David) of Minneapolis; 7 great grandchildren - Kyle, Sam, Garrett, Cameron, Sidney, Stephanie, and Ella.

Gert was the strong, loving, and devoted center of the family. She will be greatly missed.

Private burial and memorial services are planned. The family asks that those who wish to honor her memory would commit at least one random act of kindness. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com