Thursday, July 16, 2009

Trudy Kolb



Trudy Kolb
1927-2007
Wife
Mother
Mother-in-law
Grandmother
Sister
Aunt
Catholic


Trudy Kolb was bon December 23, 1927, in Little Chute to Dutch parents, George and Catherine (Rutten) VandeLogt. Her family moved to DePere and on June 6, 1953, she maried Eugene Kolb. Together they raised five children.

Family was always the most important part of Trudy's life. Each one of her childen had a special place in her heart. Cathy, the oldest, had the first grandchildren. When Kathleen was born pematurely, Trudy took an infant CPR course so she could babysit for her. When Chris started buying houses in Manitowoc both Trudy and Gene worked tirelessly to whip them into shape. When Jon bought crates of clothing from Shopko to give to charity, it was Trudy and Gene who cut the labels, sorted and re-boxed all the individual items. When Jeanne went to China to adopt Allison, Trudy went way out of her comfort zone to accompany her. But the trips that lasted the longest were the ones they took to Merced, CA where Trudy and Gene would spend months getting to know their grandsons at Tim and Min's.

Trudy was also close to her extended family, especially her sister, Lee. They married brothers and lived directly across the street from each other. They were lovingly devoted to each other through their many stages of life. Trudy was also a hard worker. She worked at Baeten's Store, later at Royal Cleaners and eventually retired from Dorsch Ford in 1990. She also worked side by side with Gene on their many projects at their cottage in Silver Cliff, which they loved.

Sadly, Trudy died on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at Door County Memorial Hospital. Her funeral was held at St. Mary Catholic Community in DePere. During the Funeral Mass, Father John Harper recreated the white erase board that had hung in Trudy's hospital room. On it was her doctor's name, her nurse's name and below someone had written the words, "Wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt and Catholic". Father made the point that Catholic was not the last item on the list. It was the basis of all the other relationships. And it was. Trudy often attended daily Mass and for decades attended a "perpetual Novena" at St. Norbert Abbey. She was also a person who knew her rosary and was fond of praying the Memorare.
Trudy is entombed in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum.
The Memorare
Oh most gracious Virgin Mary, never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to thee Oh virgins of virgins, my mother. To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh mother of the word incarnate, despise not my petitions but through thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

Click on any photo to see a larger version.


1 comment:

  1. Such a lovely tribute to a most loving mom.......... miss you everyday Mom.

    ReplyDelete