Edward Allen Trutsch

Edward Allen “Al” Trutsch, age 87, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 20, 2025. Those who knew Al understand the significance of his passing on Easter Sunday, as he was a man of unshakeable faith in God, who continued to joyfully praise the Lord and give thanks for the blessings of his life up until the moment of his passing. Al knew he was reuniting with his bride of 59 years, Laurie (Delores Kotesky Trutsch) who preceded him in death, and two brothers Philip and Thomas Trutsch. We are confident that they were overjoyed to see him, as he always brought love, light, and joy with him wherever he went, along with a good story.

Al was a master storyteller - a skill he honed in a speech class from his alma mater, Caledonia high school. He understood the art of engaging his audience, colorful descriptors for detail, the anticipation of a pause, sprinkling in some wisdom, and ending on a big laugh. His sense of humor was legendary as was the sound of his laugh. He loved to laugh big, loud, and full, and he loved laughing with others.

Al never had to be the center of attention, but his personality automatically drew people to him. He could enter a room of strangers, and they would love him within 10 minutes. He had a gift for making people feel seen and understood with his calm and steady demeanor, his hilarious take on life, or one of his all-encompassing hugs; he had an innate ability to make a person feel safe and that everything would be alright.

He also possessed a rare gift to make a person feel special. His inner light was so bright he could not help but shine, and when you were with him, that light shone all around on those with him. With a wink, a hug, a kind word, or a shared laugh, he could make you feel like one in a million. He always liked to tell people they were special, but in truth, he was the special one.

In his youth after graduation, Al joined the Army, serving in the Corps of Engineers as a scraper operator. He told stories of how he terrorized people on the autobahn by hauling heavy equipment at 80 miles an hour all over Germany. There wasn’t a piece of equipment he couldn’t operate or haul. He loved the USA, was a patriot, and was proud of being a Veteran.

After the Army, Al had a few jobs but found his calling when he began working for K and R Excavating as a dozer operator. He dug basements, foundations for buildings, parking lots, took out trees, and smoothed out roadways. He had a gift for understanding dirt and how it compacted. He worked his way up to being supervisor for an earth moving crew, and ran jobs all over the states of Michigan and Florida. While at K and R, he was able to work with his brothers Phillip, David, Thomas, and James Trutsch at different times. His sister, Sharon Kuiper, never worked at K and R, but Al would have been happy to have all his siblings with him.

He loved playing in the dirt so much, he retired three times before it finally took. All of his many children and grandchildren visited him on a job site at one time or another, riding around either on a bulldozer or in a big red truck. When you travel the roads and highways of Michigan, most likely Al’s footprints are there - a fact of which he was immensely proud.

Al loved being with people, but he was fiercely independent when it came to making sure he was not a burden. After his bride passed, (and because his family was worried, he might be lonely), Al got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Oliver, to keep him company. That was a match made in Heaven. Al loved Oliver and took him everywhere - literally, everywhere. Al lived an active life and loved to socialize. It was a rare occurrence to see them without each other. Thankfully, Oliver was able to stay with Al until the end and offered him comfort and kisses.

Al was full of wisdom and faced his problems head on. He was eternally optimistic, did not complain, never felt sorry for himself, and maintained a positive attitude in all things. He was a living example of integrity, honesty, gratitude, hard work, positivity, love, and faith. His positivity was infectious as was his extraordinary sense of humor.

Al loved passing on his wisdom in witty phrases and sayings dubbed by the family as Al-isms. Some of his favorite sayings were, “this too shall pass like a kidney stone," and “your attitude matches your altitude." Whenever he doled out an Al-ism, he would follow it with a funny face, or big belly laugh. He wanted it understood he was offering the truth, along with a nudge of encouragement that it would all be alright.

Al loved to laugh and maintained his extraordinary sense of humor until the very end. He blessed his family with the gift of always setting an example of gratitude, acceptance, courage, integrity, faith, and love. He never stopped being the amazing human he has always been.

Al was the greatest friend, brother, and uncle. As a father and Bumpy (grandfather) he is a legend and his passing has left a hole that no amount of fill dirt will cover for his children Scott Trutsch, Karen Monterusso (Tom), Susanne (Pete) Boyd, Heidi (Tom) Wolf; grandchildren Jodi (Joshua) Johnson, Jacquelyn (Doug) Wakely, Julie (Martin) Gomez, Jonathon (Amie) Schumaker, Holly (Jeremiah) Van der puyl, Noah Boyd, Margaret (Anthony) Slavich, Sadie Boyd (Jeremy), Brian Wolf, Caroline (Tom) Delor; and great-grandchildren Henry, Allen, and Katelyn Johnson, Lincoln Wakely, Maci, Oscar, and Rozalyn Gomez, Jack Schumaker, Peter, Tessa, and Betty Van der puyl, Danika Slavich, Carson Zimmerman.

He always said, “Life is a struggle from the womb to the tomb.” (With a laugh and smile). Well Dad, your struggle is done; we will struggle on until we see you again. Give Mom a hug. Thank you for the gift of you, and for all the lessons you taught us. We love you and will think of you every time we pass a construction barrel.

Visitation with Al’s family and friends will be held from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2025 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 312 N. Main Street, Wayland, Michigan 49348.

Celebration of Al’s life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025, with an hour of visitation prior at 10 a.m., at First Congregational Church of Allegan, 323 Cutler St., Allegan, MI 49010, with Pastor Barry Lucas officiating.

In honor of Al and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which helps Veterans. Al was a staunch supporter of Veterans, and this would be a great way to honor his charitable legacy. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.kubiakcookwayland.com in their guestbook online.