Grandma and Grandpa Trudgen in 2001
Chris's Grandpa Trudgen was a dear man with handsome features and kind eyes. I hear he was as stubborn as a mule, but I never got to see that too much. In fact, the only defiance I remember is the stiffening of the jaw and a silent wave of the hand if he was protesting something. It was quite cute. And he always called me "Honey." Can you tell how fond I was of him? He was also an excellent gardener and a lover of roses. He had about 200 bordering his home at one time. He nursed little seedlings in his basement until they were ready to plant outside. He was quite a joker too. I'd try to get gardening tips from him and it always ended up in some mythical seed or plant story. He was a man who stayed married to his wife, who raised 2 children and lived to see 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren (three of them are mine!). He was 85 years old and he and Grandma celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary earlier this year. Sixty three years! I will be honored if the Lord allows Chris and I that achievement. Grandpa passed on December 5th. We love you, Grandpa, and we will miss you dearly.
