Gertrude Irene Hunt, 96, of Sedalia, MO, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

She was born October 21, 1929, in Syracuse, MO, daughter of Andrew and Bernice Musslin, who preceded her in death.

She received her sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage at St. Andrew's Church in Tipton, MO. She became a member of St. Patrick's Church, now St. Vincent de Paul, in 1963 to present.

She attended Olive Branch School in Syracuse, where later in life she loved attending the annual reunions with her family.

She married the love of her life, John Dee Hunt, on June 14, 1949, who preceded her in death on January 14, 2023.

The love of God, family, friends, and music were the center of her life.

Gertrude loved attending dances with her dad in Florence, MO. Her task was to hold his fiddle during their travels. She met the love of her life at the dances. When John Hunt asked her to dance, she knew this would be the beginning of a lifetime of faith, love, family, and music. She sang professionally with her sister, Jean Ransdell, as the "Musslin Sisters," accompanied with guitar by John Hunt on KCMO, at the Hotel Muehlebach in Kansas City, and other venues, as well as appearing on the Ted Mack Show. They would also entertain at the Olive Branch reunions.

She loved singing and playing her fiddle with her husband, John, accompanying with his guitar and voice. When her husband John was drafted in the Army, they would entertain the troops while he was stationed in West Virginia. They continued to entertain the troops and friends from their front porch when her husband John was transferred to Hot Springs, AR. She enjoyed entering fiddling contests with her husband, John, playing guitar. Gertrude, husband John, and sister Jean were featured in Howard Marshall's book Fiddler's Dream. She and her daughter Loretta sang and played twin fiddles with her husband playing guitar, where they entertained several establishments in and around Sedalia. She and her husband recorded two songs, "Call of the Mountain" and "Cowboy Jack," in 1983.

She was the rock and heart of her family. She enjoyed being at home raising her children and always having breakfast, lunch, and dinner ready for her husband, John. She was known for her famous homemade donuts, pies, and cobblers. She babysat her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and close friends' children. She kept all of them in line with her little red belt. She enjoyed singing to them and teaching them several songs, praying with them, and always being there when they needed her. She loved her babies and holding them close. The love she shared with so many will remain in their hearts forever.

Gertrude is survived by two daughters, Loretta J. Nye of Green Ridge, MO, and Monica E. Holman (Gary) of Sedalia; a sister, Dortha Musslin; nine grandchildren, Rose Martin (Roy), Jessica Craig (Brandon), Timothy Nye (Chrissey), Andrew "AJ" Nye, Kimberly Nye, Mallory Knight (Bret), Gavin Holman (Destiny), Maggie Craig (Daniel), and Mylanna Holman (Victor); thirteen great-grandchildren, Dylan, Ashlee, McKinzey, Savannah, Elliott, Alexa, Allie, Trenton, Luke, Cesi, Bethany, Ryder, Colten, Colby, Odell, and Vivi; great-great-grandchild, Stetson; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband John, Gertrude was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence "Shorty" Hunt; son-in-law, Richard Eads; daughter, Theresa Eads; four brothers, Fred Musslin, David Musslin, Dwain Musslin, and Paul Musslin; and three sisters, Barbara Jo McCown, Jean Ransdell, and Martha Schmitt.

Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Rea Funeral Chapel.

Prayers of the Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, St. Patrick's Chapel led by Deacon Jerry Connery.

The visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, St. Patrick's Chapel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, St. Patrick's Chapel, with Father Martin Masiisa officiating.

Burial will be at Highland Sacred Gardens, Sedalia, MO.

Pallbearers will be Tim Nye, Gary Holman, Gavin Holman, Roy Martin, Dylan Martin, Brandon Craig, Jeff Ransdell, and Brennan Ransdell.

Honorary bearers will be Vicky Futscher, Dortha Musslin, Greg Wilson, Mike Harrison, Patsy Harrison, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions may be made to the family in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.