Gertrude “Tudie” Balster, 90, died Jan. 7, 2009 at Where the Heart Is in Burlington. She was born Feb. 7, 1919, at Crescent Harbor, Oak Harbor, to Herbert and Geertje Faber Dykers. She was raised on North Whidbey and attended Oak Harbor schools, graduating from high school with the class of 1937.

Tudie went on after high school to take two years of nurse’s training. In 1941 she married Arend J. Balster. As newlyweds they moved to Glendale, Calif., and were blessed by the birth of their daughter, Alice. Due to injuries Arend sustained in an accident, the family moved back to Whidbey Island in 1947.

Tudie went to work in Civil Service at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. She began in the Supply Division at Ault Field, but soon transferred to the Seaplane Base and worked in the Administration Division keeping track of military personnel assigned to the base. After 20-plus years of service, she retired. Tudie and Arend also owned two businesses; Whidbey Men’s Shop and Pioneer Department Store for 25 years.

Tudie played organ for the First Reformed Church, where they were members for many years. The family was also members of Whidbey Presbyterian Church. She was charter president of the North Whidbey Lions Club; member of Burlington Lions for several years; charter member of the Oak Harbor Emblem Club where she held several offices, including State Deputy Marshall.

Arend passed away in 1979 and Tudie stayed at the beach home. In 1988, she moved in with Alice and Don in Coupeville. In December, 1989 the family moved to Burlington because of Alice’s work.

Tudie is survived by her daughter Alice Sorensen and her husband Don of Burlington; grandson Karl and wife Mona, of Renton; two great-granddaughters; one great-great granddaughter; three sisters-in-law, Doris Dykers of Oak Harbor, Myrtle Balster of Oak Harbor and Johanna Mostovoy of Crescent City, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews in the area.

Visitation will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Thursday, Jan. 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m., followed by a memorial service at Whidbey Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. The family suggests remembrances be made to The Emblem Club “I Care” Program, Skagit Hospice or Skagit Adult Daycare. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Where the Heart Is for taking such wonderful care of Gertrude.