Gertrude Alice (Bruegge) Swift, age 85, of Washington, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Washington, Iowa, following a sudden illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home with services conducted by Ilene Schnicker. Visitation will begin noon Friday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the Pleasant Hill Church. Online condolences may be sent for Gertrude's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Gertrude was born May 15, 1929, in Haskins, Iowa, the daughter of Ben and Pauline (Wingler) Bruegge. She attended Pleasant Hill Country School and later attended Gray Country School in Washington County. Gertrude was united in marriage to Lawerence Arnold Swift on June 9, 1947 in Washington.

She was a life resident of Washington County. Gertrude was a member of Pleasant Hill Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher for many years. She was a homemaker and worked as a cook for the Washington Junior High School for many years. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, canning, working with flowers, games and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Gertrude is survived by her husband, Lawerence Swift of Washington, Iowa; twin daughters: Donna Rinner and husband Wes of Wayland, Iowa; Carol Wehr and husband Ron of Keota, Iowa; five grandchildren: Tye Rinner and wife Diane of Washington, Iowa; Troy Rinner and wife Rachel of Wayland, Iowa; Alicia Pacha and husband Ed of Brighton, Iowa; Sean Wehr and wife Faith of Keota, Iowa; Bryan Wehr and wife Roxanne of West Chester, Iowa; and six great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Ethel Jeffries of Washington, Iowa; and Carolyn Kaufman of Wayland, Iowa; as well brothers and sisters-in-law: Wanda Fritz, Edith Wellington, Bill & Bonnie Swift, Dale & Martha Hawkins, Doug & Annette Chalupa, JoAnn Swift and Dorothy Swift.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Elsie Campbell and brothers and sisters-in-law: Charles & Marie Swift, Esther & Keith Houseal, George Swift, Jean & Al Fritz, Marion Swift, Doris Sojka and Bernard Swift.