Gertrude E. Bikneris, 82, of Fish Lake, IN, passed away Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, at Miller Health and Rehabilitation, La Porte.
She was born April 17, 1937, in Chicago, IL, to Alfred and Hertha (Stern) Reising.
Gertrude was a school teacher for many years. She loved music and was a gifted pianist and organist. Gertrude was a church organist at First Baptist Church of North Liberty and previously a church organist and pianist in Chicago. She enjoyed being outdoors and was a great cook. Gertrude was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed embroidery.
On Feb. 14, 1976, in Chicago, she married Peter Bikneris, who preceded her in death on May 1, 2008.
Surviving are her sisters, Hilde Backer of Fish Lake and Edith Schaefer of Wheatland, WI; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, Phillip Backer of Des Plaines, IL, David (Lynn) Brachler of Mesa, AZ, Karen (Mark) Baumann of Tuscan, AZ, and Janet (Dale) Wilson of Senecca, SC.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and nephew, Ronald Edward Brachler.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Pastor Wayne Joyner officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Mill Creek, IN. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of North Liberty, 407 Elm St., North Liberty, IN 46554.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.cutlercares.com.