Gertrude M. Welshans

     Gertrude M. Welshans, known lovingly as Mom, Oma, Trudy passed away at home on March 11, 2026, in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, at the age of 100, from the effects of a fall. She lived a remarkable life that spanned a century, two continents, and more adventures than most people could imagine.

     Trudy was born on November 16, 1925, in Ilisesti, Suceava, Romania, to Gustav and Martha Tomaszewski. At just sixteen, during World War II, she and her family were forcibly taken from their homeland and separated. The family's fair hair and light eyes saved them. Instead of a concentration camp, Trudy, her mother, and her younger brother were sent to a labor camp near Heidelberg where she operated a lathe making brass parts for V2 rockets for the German military effort. A few years later when American tanks liberated the camp, her fluency in both German and English led to work as a translator, followed by positions with the Red Cross and HQ Quartermaster. It was at a retail position where she met, Floyd Welshans, and together ushered in a new chapter of her life.

     Trudy came to Jersey Shore in 1954 to marry Floyd at St. John's Lutheran Church. Over the next decade, Army life took them to Pittsburgh, Fort Hood TX, Monterey CA, Arlington VA and finally Vientiane, Laos. When Floyd retired, they returned to Jersey Shore eventually purchased the Taka-Peek-Inn restaurant in Avis. After the 1972 flood devastated the restaurant, they bought Hotel Mohawk in Dunnstown, a restaurant, hotel, and cocktail lounge. She was a fantastic cook and very hospitable so they enjoyed a thriving business. She instilled a great work ethic in everyone around her because she loved what she did, she was a challenging conversationist and called out flaws without hesitation, though never "meanfully", of course.

     Trudy was a force of nature. Bright red hair, an accent she never cared to lose, and the sharpest wit and always the smartest person in the room, delivering one-liners better than anyone. She was a fixer of crying children, awkward moments, broken hearts, torn hemlines, bad moods, and failed recipes.

     She loved her grand-children and stole time to be with them. She loved animals, especially horses, and nursed or adopted every orphaned creature that crossed her path, from squirrels and rabbits to a monkey, a boa, and an otter. Countless cats and dogs. When she wasn't working, she loved to travel. She called Jersey Shore home but cherished visits to her homeland of Romania and Germany. She spent 10 mournful years after Floyd's passing and eventually retired with her second husband, Robert Burt, to Key Largo, Florida, then Calistoga, California, to live with her daughter. Together with Robbie, she was active in the Boy Scouts of America, Sons of the American Revolution, and Rotary Club. In California she spent countless afternoons on the deck with her best friend, Dora, waving to neighbors and watching sunsets.     

     She is preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Floyd Welshans and Robert Burt; her son, Charles Welshans; and her brothers, Anthony and Adalbert Tomaszewski.

     Trudy is survived by her son, Wayne Welshans; her daughter, Martha Welshans; daughters-in-law Janice, Mary, and Cheryl; her chosen daughter, Judith; eight grand-children, Teri, Heather, Gretchen, John, Patrice, Paula, Stephanie, and Tracy, along with her chosen grand-son, Daniel from Ohio; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

     Trudy lived a life of intention and purpose for her family, her restaurant family, and friends wherever she lived. May she find peace and rest in God's grace. As she always said, "If you can't go first class, don't bother going."

     The family will announce graveside services in the coming weeks at the Jersey Shore Cemetery.

     Arrangements are entrusted to Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, Jersey Shore. www.WelkerFuneralHome.com

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