Trudy Schroeder

Gertrude “Trudy” Schroeder, age 102, gently left us to be with her Savior on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Memorial Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church – 217 Brackenridge St SW in Sleepy Eye, MN 56085.   For time and date of services please see the obituary updates at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls, MN. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Trudy left her earthly family with the same matter of fact acceptance that she applied to the life she shared with us here on earth.

She was born on the family farm in Door County, Wisconsin and was blessed that it remained in the family during her lifetime. She was happy to be able to visit and share stories about special times there. Her parents and all five siblings have preceded her in death and we know they have welcomed her to her heavenly home.

Trudy loved our earth. She welcomed every opportunity to travel and see new places and all the wonders they held. Lakes, trails, trees, and the glory of sunrises, sunsets and rainbows gave her joy. Plants flourished under her watchful eye and any animal brought to her became a welcomed, nurtured family member. She was a fixer. She had the ability to see solutions and would use her many skills to keep things together and working. That skill became useful to her in her 20 years of work at 3M in New Ulm. 

Outside of work and travel, Trudy enjoyed time spent with her children, friends and relatives. Reading and literature were important to her. Most special to her in this area were her Bible and her poetry books.  She enjoyed making quilts and being involved in projects with her church family at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye. Her skills with making lefse, krumkake, krispies (elephant ears) and wonderful breads made her a favorite contributor to meals and special occasions. She made sure the traditions were taught to her family.

Sleepy Eye, MN became her home in 1960 and in 2018 Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls welcomed her into their community where she found a family of wonderful friends and dedicated caregivers with big hearts. Her family is very thankful to all of them for making the end phase of Trudy’s life so special.

Trudy is survived by her 5 children- Dawn (Dennis) O’Neil, Jane (Jerry) Sandberg, Maxine (John) Pierson, Audrey (Kim) Kimsey and Paul (Karen) Schroeder – 18 grandchildren –  42 great-grandchildren – nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.