Trudy Marie Gilbery

Trudy Marie Gilbery, age 79, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, surrounded by the love of her family. Visitation will take place on March 20, 2026 from 5:00–7:00 PM and then one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 21st at 10:30 AM at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Rev. Jeff Otterman officiating. Trudy will be laid to rest at Yankton Cemetery, beside her husband Charles Gilbery and daughter Ann Gilbery/Brandt. Online condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com.She was born on August 22, 1946, in Berwick, Pennsylvania, to William and Bertha Slusser. Trudy grew up with a strong and loving family, sharing her childhood with her siblings Connie Brewbaker, Sandra Virgin, and William Slusser Jr. She later married Charles L. Gilbery, with whom she built a life rooted in love, laughter, and devotion. Together they raised two children, Ann Marie Gilbery/Brandt and Jeffrey Scott Gilbery, who were the pride of her life. Trudy lived most of her life in Yankton, South Dakota, where she created countless memories and lifelong friendships. She loved the outdoors and could often be found fishing, camping, bowling, or enjoying any activity that brought her closer to nature. She especially loved her trips to the casino, where she found excitement, fun, and a bit of adventure. A talented and creative soul, Trudy enjoyed cross-stitching, coloring, plastic canvas crafts, and working through her beloved word search puzzles. She was known for being dependable, supportive, and an exceptional listener — someone people naturally turned to for comfort and understanding. To her son Jeff, she was not only a mother but a guiding force. She was the parent who showed up to every game, every event, every milestone. She encouraged him through scouts, took him hunting and camping, and created a childhood full of warmth, laughter, and unforgettable memories. She especially cherished the years they spent traveling together for dirtbike racing, cheering proudly for both Jeff and her grandson Bobby, sharing the excitement, pride, and adventure of those days. Jeff credits the man he is today to the love, strength, and example she gave him. She welcomed his friends, made them feel at home, and filled their lives with fun and kindness. Trudy was preceded in death by her parents William and Bertha Slusser; her brother William Slusser Jr.; her husband Charles L. Gilbery; her daughter Ann M. Gilbery/Brandt; her step-grandchild Benjamin J. Reynolds; and her brother-in-law Larry Virgin. She is survived by her son Jeffrey (Jane) Gilbery; her sisters Connie (Harold) Brewbaker and Sandra Virgin; grandchildren Bobby (Kristin) Gilbery, Lonnie Williams, Brent (Hope) Gilbery, Tyler Gilbery, and Shelby Gilbery; step-grandchildren John, Michael, William, and Katelyn Reynolds; 5 great-grandchildren, 3 step great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Trudy will be remembered for her generosity, her steady presence, her sense of humor, and the way she made everyone around her feel valued and heard. Her legacy lives on in the family she loved so deeply and the countless lives she touched.