Gertrude Applegate

Gertrude Mildred Fife Applegate, 100, passed away in Plainfield at the home of her daughter Janet, on April 26, 2017. She was surrounded by loving family members as she passed.

Gertrude was born in Gary, Indiana to Alexander and Gertrude (Ogg) Fife on April 5, 1917. As the 1934 valedictorian of Emerson High School in Gary, she continued her education at the University of Chicago and then Indiana University where she earned an AB in English. While studying at IU she met her future husband Earl “Doc” Applegate.  After graduation Gertrude taught high school English in Shannon, IL. Gertrude and Earl married on December 22, 1940.  They moved to Butte, Montana where Earl completed his medical internship. Gertrude and Earl then moved back to Indiana and lived in Lafayette before settling permanently in Frankfort.

While raising their five children in Frankfort, Gertrude was a Girl Scout Leader, the first female School Board member, active in Junior Mothers Club, the Frankfort Country Club Ladies Golf Association, served on the Library Board, Welfare Board, and was a member of Business Professional Women’s Foundation. She was a life-long member of the Methodist Church as well as the Indiana University Alumni Association.

Gertrude and Earl took their children, and often Gertrude’s mother on the road for yearly family vacations. They drove coast to coast, concentrating on National Parks and instilling the love of travel and nature as a continuing gift. The love of travel was passed down to her grandchildren. Travel games were a highlight and almost always included chocolate. After Earl’s death Gertrude continued to travel and often took their adult children with her on overseas adventures. She visited each of the seven continents.

Gertrude continued to live in Frankfort where she hosted Christmas and holiday parties until she sold the family home in 2007. She then made a home with each of her three daughters. Spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gertrude is survived by her brother Robert of Caledonia, Ontario, Canada, her five children and their families: Don (Sharon) of Titusville, FL; Nancy (Jan) Spitzer of Eufaula AL; Susie (Tom) Campbell, Crawfordsville; Sheldon (Carol) of Reston VA; and Janet (Brenda Gehring) Plainfield. Also surviving are grandchildren Heather Elizabeth Applegate, Joel Applegate, David Spitzer, Rebecca Miller, Amy Mueller, Jon Campbell, Andrew Campbell, Stephanie Strickland, Sarah Applegate and Doug Gehring. She also leaves 16 great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by husband Earl (September 14, 1990), one great grandchild, her parents, and sister Mary Grace Bailey.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Genda Funeral Home in Frankfort, from 2:00 to 3:00p.m.  Funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the funeral home with Chaplain Barbara Kinsler officiating.  Burial will follow in Bunnell  Cemetery in Frankfort.    In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Humane Society of Clinton County or the Indiana University Alumni Association.