Trudy Ann Small

A headliner from the start, Trudy was born in Seattle, Washington to Leslie Hertel Theuerkauf and Anna Mae Barney on March 21st, 1938, where her earthly beginnings were published on the front page of the Seattle Times. She was brought home to her parents’ cozy, downtown Seattle apartment where her maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Barney Clark, who would one day be called “Nanny” by Trudy, was waiting for her as well with open, loving arms.

After her marriage with Leslie didn’t work out as planned, Anna took Trudy and Nanny to live on their own in 1939. After about four years of Mom, Nanny and Trudy living in the rainy city, Anna was swept off of her feet after only one year of courtship, and married a Merchant Marine, Archie Harrison, of Newark, New Jersey in 1944. Archie, who Trudy called Papa after he became her stepfather, was an amazing carpenter with a great deal of passion and ambition.

In 1945, Archie moved the family to Myrtle Creek, Oregon, the first of many moves come, after hearing of great job opportunities in. A tomboy at heart, Trudy had fond memories of turkeys, chickens, and laborious activities surrounding the house that Archie built himself in rural Myrtle Creek. However, after finishing her freshman year at Myrtle Creek High School and four years of “roughing it”, it was back to Washington.

Albeit short lived, this move brought its own adventures and; Trudy was able to foster a loving relationship with her beloved, paternal Grandfather, Bumpa Theuerkauf, a good and well known man who once worked for Warner Bros., but then branched off and opened his own Movie Theater, the Starlight, in Tacoma, Washington. A legacy in its own right, The Starlight Theater housed Trudy’s first job she’s ever had and many, lasting memories. The next move happened in 1952, and this time it was to Juneau, Alaska. As a Farewell present, Grandpa Bumpa gave Trudy a brand new, white-top, convertible Cadillac, and she was able to drive it around Alaska and arrive in style, per usual.

This move was truly a blessing in disguise for Trudy, as this was her very own, personal piece of heaven where she developed a profound love, respect and appreciation for Native American culture. Juneau was also where she met her cousin, Renee, who enabled her to experience what having a sibling must feel like; the two were inseparable. Trudy’s entire experience in Juneau was invaluable, and deeply resonated with her for the rest of her life. Her stay there would have felt cut short no matter when it occurred, but after two years of bliss and schooling at Juneau High School, she was back to Myrtle Creek, Oregon to complete her High School Diploma and follow her dreams.

Trudy never allowed anyone to take her fiery spirit and drive away from her, regardless of the many times she moved, and made a great deal of achievements at Myrtle Creek High School to ensure that she went out with a “bang”; no whimpers allowed! To list a few accomplishments, she was an Operetta, a part of the Student Body Play, Carnival participant, Prize Chairman, Annual Yearbook co-editor, the Class Princess, she was a part of the Myrtleaf Staff, and the Class Secretary.

After graduating at the young age of 17 at the top of her class of ‘55 from Myrtle Creek High school, Trudy had been recruited by two major Oregon universities. Although she aspired to go to the University of Oregon, Linfield College was the best logistical choice for this journalism major. Along with caring for her two elderly grandmothers in McMinville, Oregon, Trudy pledged Lambda Lambda Lambda sorority, was in the Linfield marching band, and she was editor of the college newspaper, yearbook and the Lindex, a handbook for the Linfield student body. Along with her extracurricular activities Trudy found time to fall in love with a fellow Linfield student, four years her senior, by the name of Marty Dean Small. The couple was married in 1959 and briefly settled in Los Angeles, California.

By 1960, Trudy and Dean had relocated back to the Northwest where they purchased their brand new home in the Mount Lake Terrace area. One year later, they welcomed their first child, daughter Dena Marie. Four years later, the family expanded to include a son, Darrin Todd. In 1966, the family moved south returning to the Lake City area. Trudy fully embraced her role as mother and wife becoming a volunteer Blue Bird and Camp Fire leader for Dena and never missing a soccer game for young Darrin.

In 1973, after lovingly caring for and the passing of her beloved mother Anna, the family found it necessary for Trudy to return to the banking career that she had left to raise her children. Returning to the work force was seamless and satisfying for Trudy, as she rose through the ranks of the banking industry as an executive assistant to the chairman of the board to working in human resources and becoming vice president and recruiter for Bank of America. In the work place Trudy was admired and well respected for her straight forward, honest and amenable personality, as well as being incredibly witty and charming to everyone she encountered over her thirty two year career.

According to Trudy among her greatest accomplishments was finding sobriety in 1983 and on April 12th, 2015 she will celebrate thirty two years of clean and sober living. She has set an incredibly important example for her family and those she met and befriended around the tables. And has inspired many to choose a life of recovery. After a difficult divorce Trudy found solace in AA. While attending meetings, Trudy found love again with Jon Haskin and enjoy twenty nine years of joyful companionship.

In the 1990s Trudy was blessed with three grandchildren who are the light of her life. Her first grand baby is Harmony Leann born August 1990, followed in 1993 by her first redheaded grandson, Chase Harrison by daughter Dena and in 1997 her second redhead grandboy, Griffin Todd, by son Darrin. All grandchildren enjoyed the most loving, supportive and creative Tata they could have ever asked for. She attended every school and sporting event, being Harmony Soleil’s biggest fan on the radio and Chase and Griffin’s biggest athletic enthusiast. She also continued to be an incredibly supportive mother to both Dena and Darrin through trying times.

Reluctantly retiring in 2005, Trudy found more time to read, garden, travel and spend quality time with all her dear ones. Her greatest love and hobby was her family. Her strong and loving presence remains with us always. She is deeply and profoundly loved by all and will never ever be forgotten.