Gertrude Buikema

Gertrude Buikema, nee Werkman, age 94, a woman devoted to her faith, her family, her friends, and her community, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025.

“Gert” was born the youngest in a family of four children on July 16, 1930, in Chicago, IL to Herman and Jennie (Scholtens) Werkman. She learned and developed her hard work ethic and grit on the family farm, tending work horses, laboring all day in the fields bunching carrots, picking parsley, and doing any tasks a life on the farm demanded. After graduating from Chicago Christian High School, she excelled in her typing and shorthand skills that she refined in secretarial school, and worked many years for Lerner Shops at the corporate offices in downtown Chicago. Gert’s typing skills resurfaced in preparing medication labels as a pharmacist’s assistant at both Barcus and Walgreens pharmacies.

Gert met the love of her life for 72 years, Bill Buikema, on a date arranged by mutual friends from First Englewood Christian Reformed Church. The two married on August 25, 1952, while Bill was on leave from his service in the Korean War. Gert dutifully visited Bill’s parents and his siblings every week, commuting to Englewood by train after her secretarial work, building relationships that endeared the Buikema family to her as more of a sister than an in-law over the years.

Once Bill was honorably discharged from the army after the war, Gert and Bill began building a life together, in part possible from the money she had saved during her secretarial career. Gert was always a wise and faith-filled counsel to Bill whose successful career as teacher and eventually high school principal gave them a fulfilling life together, blessed with five children who they mentored and adored.

Bill and Gert loved travel: camping during the summers with their children; visiting in Florida with family and friends; going on cruises together, and enjoying road trips across the United States. They especially treasured their trips to British Columbia, Canada, Hawaii and China. Gert’s skills at knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitch kept her busy on the long trips, and all family members were beneficiaries to her handiwork.

Gert took pride in the residences that she and Bill shared in Englewood (next door to Bill’s parents), Oak Lawn, Oak Hills, and eventually Victorian Village independent living and Victorian Inn assisted living. At each residence, Gert built lasting relationships, and she used her green thumb, planting colorful flowers and plants when she was able. She was a true servant, and was always genuine, open, and helpful to everyone with whom she interacted. She served on numerous boards and committees that did good deeds for others.

Gert is preceded in death by her husband Bill Sr., parents Herman and Jennie Werkman, brothers Albert and Bernard, and sister Nellie. She is also preceded in death by father and mother-in-law Robert and Angeline Buikema, brothers in-law Ronald and Robert, Jr. (Elizabeth), and her sister-in-law Gertrude, daughter-in-law Debra, and many lifelong friends. She is survived by sisters-in-law Laverne and Ruth, and children Bill Jr. (Jean Hoffman), Janice (Joseph Ehrlich), Robert (Danette Bergsma), Mary (Tom Beltman), and Timothy (Irene Feyer). Gert’s 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren delighted her all her days.

The family will receive visitors for fellowship on Friday, March 14, beginning at 10:00AM at Orland Park Christian Reformed Church, 7500 Sycamore Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.. Immediately following, a luncheon for family and friends will be held in the church’s fellowship hall.

Private Interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Memorials to Providence Hospice, 18601 North Creek Dr., Suite A, Tinley Park, IL 60477 Click here for online donation and Southwest Chicago Christian School Foundation, 12001 S. Oak Park Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463 Click here for online donation and designate "Foundation - In Memory/Honor of a Loved One" suggested.

Below is a recording of Gertrude's Funeral Service




Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400.