04/30/2026
Gertrude T. Driscoll of Milan, Michigan, age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2026. She was born to Joseph and Theresa Loewengruber on July 14, 1934 in Detroit, MI. Milan was her home since 1963 until she moved to Brighton in 2023.
Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, brother Joseph Loewengruber Jr. and his wife Yolan, niece Karen Loewengruber Kontry (Greg) and sister-in-law Pat Loewengruber (Harry).
Survived by son Michael Driscoll of Plymouth, Michigan; daughter Patricia (Anthony) Garbacik of Brighton, Michigan. Also survived by grandchildren Kyle Penn, Jack (Brooke) Driscoll, Joshua Penn, Joseph Driscoll, Jenna Driscoll and Andrew Garbacik. Also survived by many nephews and nieces.
Gertrude grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School in River Rouge. This is where she met Thomas. They were married February 4, 1956 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
After they were married, they lived in a house on Deacon Street in Detroit. After working various jobs, they decided to open a drive-in restaurant known as The Little Skipper in 1960 in Milan. In 1963 they purchased a house in Milan and started a family with the birth of Michael followed by Patricia in 1965.
Trudi, as most people called her, enjoyed time with family. She loved games. Euchre, Bingo and the Left/Center/Right game. Even though she wouldn’t admit it, she also was a foodie. Some of her favorite foods were chili hot dogs, liver and onions and chicken pot pie. Being in the restaurant business she was always comparing various foods she tried, especially the chili dogs. She was known as the local food critic at her Senior Apartment complex at Brookdale in Brighton. She enjoyed her time living at Brookdale and made many new friends there.
Many of the former employees from the restaurant remained in close contact with Trudi until her passing. She would have in-person visits, phone calls, cards and letters from the many that she had known for years. That always put a smile on her face and gave her great enjoyment. It also brought back memories and stories of the past.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Gertrude’s life with her family on Friday May 8, 2026 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Rosary service at 7:00 PM at the Ochalek-Stark Funeral Home in Milan. A memorial funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Milan at 11:00 AM and a viewing prior to the mass at 10:00 AM. She will be laid to rest alongside Thomas at St. Joseph Cemetery in Ypsilanti after the Mass, followed by a luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her name be made to Covenant House (covenanthouse.org), The Capuchin Fathers (thecapuchins.org), and Humane Society of Huron Valley (hshv.org).
www.ochalekstark.com