Mrs. Gertrude Louise (McLean) Denson, 85 of Flora, died at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, November 16, 2001 at her home.

Mrs. Denson was born on February 11, 1916, in Maroa, the daughter of Dr. Edwin P. and Jessie (Smith) McLean. She married John O. Denson on April 2, 1938 in Covington, Ind. He preceded her in death on January 17, 1987. The Denson family owned and operated the Minonk News-Dispatch for many years.

Trudy was educated in Decatur schools, and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1937.

She had been an avid gardener, and she was the author of a popular gardening and nostalgia column which appeared for many years in the Flora Daily News-Record, and again briefly in the Sumner Press.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a supporter of the Flora Public Library, the Academic Foundation and the Nature Conservancy.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Edwin McLean and Sharon Payne Denson of Chicago, and John Wayne and Cheryl Yatteau Denson of Tampa, Fla.; and two daughters and son-in-law, Jane Penelope "Penny" Denson, of Flora, and Mrs. Gillian Frances and Ted Lach, of Downers Grove; one sister and brother-in-law, Frances and M.J. Tipton of Brownsville, Tex.; and six grandchildren, Edwin M. Denson, Jr. (and wife, Sharon) of Boston, Mass, Samantha Jane Denson of Chicago, Jennifer T. Lach of Chicago, Theodore M. Lach, III of Downers Grove, Erica Gillian Lach of Chicago and Elizabeth Louise Lach of Downers Grove.

Preceding her in death were her husband,and one sister, Margaret Ruth Philbrook Frantz.

Services were held at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Rev. David McNabb officiating. Interment was at Elmwood Cemetery in Flora.