Gertrude Marie Tichy

Gertrude Marie Sabata was born on November 15, 1923 in Bruno, Nebraska, to Frank and Anna (Krejci) Sabata. Gertrude grew up in Bruno, one of nine children on the family farm. As a young girl, she played clarinet in the town band, and played softball for Bruno. During World War II she worked at the Martin Bomber Plant as a riveter. She worked on the inside of the wing sections because she was so small. She married Raymond Tichy on September 5,1945 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Bruno, Nebraska, and to this union four children were born; Warren, Wendy, Wanda and Wauneta. The family lived for a short time in Colon, Nebraska, where Ray served as mayor and worked in the bank. In 1949 Ray and Gertrude moved their family to Omaha and remained there ever since. In the early 1970’s, Gertrude started to raise her second family, the girls, her granddaughters Rena and Sally Marshall. She loved them dearly and took great pride in their accomplishments. Gertrude's devotion was caring for her family, her children, grandchildren, and now in her later years, her beloved great-grandchildren. Her home was filled with pictures of her family. Gertrude’s passion was her garden, and she shared it's bounty with everyone. She could grow just about anything, although she did give up on Brussels sprouts and peanuts, deciding they were just too much work. She loved to feed the wild birds, but was frustrated by the squirrels and rabbits that stole her bird seed and vegetables from her garden. She loved to watch ice skating, the Three Tenors, and the 4th of July fireworks on television. A yearly tradition was a special little party with Neta to celebrate the New Year. Gertrude passed away on Saturday, November 10th after raking leaves in her yard at the age of 83 years, 11 months, and 26 days. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law Warren and Marcia Tichy of Conway, Arkansas; daughters and son-in-law Wendy and Gary Anderson of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Wanda Mason and Wauneta Tichy of Omaha, Nebraska; granddaughters Donna Rena and her husband Sean Smith of Omaha, and Sally and her husband, John Fessenden of West End, North Carolina, eight additional grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; brothers John Sabata of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Frank Sabata of Bruno, Nebraska. All who loved her will always remember the last thing she would say as we drove away from her home, "Don’t hit the air conditioner", and then she would wave goodbye from the kitchen window.

Gertrude Marie Tichy

November 15, 1923 - November 11, 2007