Gertrude Pickering

Gertrude Imogene (Bridgeman) Pickering, age 92, of Altamont, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, December 26, 2025, in Independence, Missouri. Gertrude was born on May 17, 1933, in Daviess County, near Winston Missouri, the daughter of James Franklin and Nannie Ellen (Vogt) Bridgeman. She was born and raised on a farm in Daviess County near Winston, Missouri. She attended Cope School--a one-room schoolhouse up to the eighth grade and was a graduate of Winston High School, Class of 1952. She married Douglas Pickering, Aug. 10, 1952, and were later divorced in 1978.Over the years, she lived most of her life on farms in Daviess and Caldwell County as well as the small towns of Lathrop, Hamilton, Altamont, and Cameron, until most recently in Independence, Missouri.

Early in life and again later on, Gertrude worked at the Pattonsburg and Gallatin Cap Factories while continuing to live the small-town and farm life she loved. She enjoyed league bowling, playing dominoes, and meeting friends for coffee at the Subway in Hamilton. Gertrude spent much of her life selflessly caring for others—first, helping care for her parents and a sister as a teenager and later serving as a devoted caregiver to several older siblings and friends during her retirement years. Gertrude will be dearly missed by her family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; eight brothers; five sisters; her sons, Audy Lee Pickering and William Eugene Pickering; her daughter, Barbara Jo Pickering Groves; and a great-granddaughter, Lanie Steingruvey. Survivors include her children and family; Randy and Paula Pickering of Hamilton; Connie and Dean Rhoades of Altamont; Bonnie and Jim Painter of Independence; Kelly and Judy Pickering of Kearney; John Groves of Lathrop; Kimberly and Rod Hosman of Hamilton; and Jill Williams of St. Joseph; along with 21 grandchildren and more than 35 great-grandchildren. Not to mention the many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Burial will be at the Alta Vista Cemetery near Weatherby, Missouri, next to her sons and parents. A celebration of life will be held in May of 2026 for family and friends with details to come later. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alta Vista Cemetery in care of the funeral home. Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin (660) 663-2117. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gertrude Pickering, please visit our floral store.