Gertrude Killen

Gertrude Margie Killen, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Nov. 28, 1929, in Puxico, Missouri, to Martin and Avis Potter Reiter. She grew up as a member of Fairview United Methodist Church in Puxico, where she will be laid to rest.

Gertrude was a high school graduate of Bloomfield (Missouri) High School. She was also a graduate of Goldfarb School of Nursing at Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and practiced nurse anesthesia at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

She was a pioneer in the field of nurse anesthesia, becoming one of the first certified registered nurse anesthetists in the country. She had a long career, providing surgical anesthesia for thousands of patients over the years. After retiring from anesthesia, she ran a successful business with her husband, James, until they both retired again. They eventually made their home in Cape Girardeau near family, where they both became members of LaCroix United Methodist Church, and where she resided after his death.

Her family and her faith were most important to her.

Survivors include sons, James (Teresa) Killen Jr. and Thomas (Debbie) Killen, both of Franklin, Kentucky, and Michael (Lisa) Killen of Cape Girardeau; stepdaughters, Susan Spurgeon of Florence, Alabama, and Kathy Sanderson of Rogersville, Alabama; grandchildren, Shawn Killen, Jill Buckley, Amanda Thurman, Matt Killen, Nathan Killen, Stephen Killen and Emily Killen; nine great-grandchildren; and sister, Claudette (Laddy) Jines of Dexter, Missouri.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Ernest and John Reiter; and stepdaughter, Diane Hill.

Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Fairview Cemetery in Puxico, with Art Norris officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to Fairview United Methodist Church in Puxico or LaCroix United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.