Gertrude Killen

Gertrude Killen

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - 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.

She was a high school graduate of Bloomfield High School. She was also a graduate of Goldfarb School of Nursing at Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis and practiced nurse anesthesia at 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 three sons, James (Teresa) Killen Jr. of Franklin, Kentucky, Thomas (Debbie) Killen of Franklin, Kentucky and Michael (Lisa) Killen of Cape Girardeau; two step-daughters, Susan Spurgeon of Florence, Alabama and Kathy Sanderson of Rogersville, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Shawn Killen, Jill Buckley, Amanda Thurman, Matt Killen, Nathan Killen, Stephen Killen, Emily Killen; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Claudette (Laddy) Jines of Dexter, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by parents; husband; two brothers, Ernest Reiter and John Reiter; and a step-daughter, Diane Hill.

Graveside Service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 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.

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

Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.