Gertrude Ras

Gertrude ?Trudy? Ruth Ras was born in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, on July 26, 1941, the daughter of Peter and Teresa (Ebbeling) Vander Sloot. She attended and graduated from Northbridge High School in Whitinsville and worked at a grocery store there. On August 10, 1960, Trudy was united in marriage to LeRoy Ras in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. The couple moved to Key West, Florida, where LeRoy completed his military commitment before moving to Hancock, Minnesota. While LeRoy completed his education at the University of Minnesota-Morris, Trudy worked at the bank in Hancock. All four of the Ras children were born while the couple lived in Hancock. The couple moved to Alexandria when LeRoy was hired as a teacher and after all of the children started school, Trudy started her career in Customer Service at Bremer Bank. Trudy was a member of the Grace Baptist Church in Alexandria. Her children were amazed at her ability to always remember birthdays and anniversaries without fail and to always send a card for the occasion. They also remember a mother who worked full-time, yet had the ability to cook supper every night and never miss a child?s activity. Trudy died on February 19, 2008, at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, at the age of 66 years. She is survived by her husband LeRoy of Alexandria, sons Lauren (Val) Ras of Bemidji and Scott (Victoria) Ras of Ashby, daughters Joleen (Sean Lalevee) of Albertville, and Rhonda (Michael) Glaser of Circle Pines. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a sister, Helene Scholten of Caledonia, Michigan. Trudy was preceded in death by her parents and brother Andrew Vander Sloot. Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 23, 2008, from the Grace Baptist Church in Alexandria, Minnesota, with Rev. Craig Dahl and Rev. Joseph Vanden Akker officiating. Music was provided by Karen Vanden Akker, Sue Lundblad, and Dave Wollin. Interment was in Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria, Minnesota, with Kyle Glaser, Cody Palmer, Tom Palmer, Mike Glaser, Sean Lalevee, and Mark Scholten serving as pallbearers. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.