TULSA, OK - Gertrude (Trudy) (Gassmann) Reynolds, 89, died on July 4, 2025. Born August 21, 1935, in Olney, Illinois, she was the 10th of 11 children born to Zean and Gertrude (Weber) Gassmann.  Trudy graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Elementary Education, but described herself as majoring in Illini Union Student Activities. She made lifelong friends as a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She met Richard (Dick) Reynolds on campus and they were married at the end of her junior year-a union that lasted until Dick’s death in 2022. Dick and Trudy made their home in Rockford, Illinois (and Ames, Iowa) and raised four children.

Trudy threw herself into her community, making friends wherever she served. She was active in Community Concert, Big Top Rummage Sale, Junior League, Women’s Space, March of Dimes and many other local organizations.  She remained active in the University of Illinois, serving on the Library Friends Board, the UI Alumni Association Board of Directors and Chairing the U of I Foundation President’s Council.  She was a proud Life Member of the U of I Alumni Association who loved to greet other Illini with an “Oskee Wow Wow!” In 2003, Dick and Trudy were awarded the University of Illinois Distinguished Service Award for their role in advancing the welfare of the University.

Survived by her children: Jennifer (Scott) Wagner of St. Louis, Missouri, Gregory (Eydie) Reynolds of Brighton, Michigan, Mark (Kristin) Reynolds of Iowa City, Iowa, and Alice (Gregory) Kirkpatrick of Tulsa, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Frank Gassmann; brother-in-law, Henry Reynolds, and dozens and dozens of cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2821 N. Bell School Road, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to the time of the service.  Memorials may be made to: Richard W. and Trudy Gassmann Reynolds Scholarship in Rural Medicine, c/o Monica Phillips, University of Illinois College of Medicine, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107. To share a memory or condolence, visit olsonfh.com.

Olson Funeral & Cremation Services. Rockford, IL