Trudy Trettel

Trudy Trettel of rural Bowlus passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, March 7, at the age of 61. A memorial service was held at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Upsala, MN on Wednesday, March 11th, with Rev. Ken Bowman presiding.
Trudy was born August 25, 1953, to Willis Clair and Esther (Marsh) Swartz in Windom, MN. She attended school and graduated in 1971 from Jeffers High School. She went on to attend Bemidji State College, graduating in May 1975 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. She moved to Upsala, MN and started teaching. She met Mike Trettel in December 1980, and the two were happily wed in Alexandria on June 19, 1982. The couple lived near Bowlus and built their current residence in 1990. Trudy taught business and keyboarding classes at Upsala Area School for 33 years. She received the 2001 Teacher of the Year Award; was well liked by both students and faculty. Due to declining health she retired in May 2008.
Trudy enjoyed many activities, some of her favorites being baking, shopping, crafts, more shopping, visiting with family, friends and students. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters, progressive dinners with fellow teachers, collecting Department 56 villages, camping, and many more activities. She cherished personal relationships and touched many lives being involved with school, social outings, and was an active member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church and Miriam Circle. One of Trudy’s favorite verses is Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Left to cherish her memory are husband, Mike Trettel, of Bowlus; son, Todd Trettel, of Spring Park, MN; siblings Shari (Kim) Hunter of Maple Grove, MN; Marla (Nick) Weckman of Cass Lake, MN; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Judy) Trettel of Fordland, MO, Ronald (Rosie) Trettel of New Brighton, MN, Ernie (Marilyn) Trettel of Hugo, MN; sisters-in-law, Joan (Ray) Jendro of Victoria, MN, Cele (Gary) Hodgin of Burnsville, MN and Judy (Duane) Sand of Annandale, MN and several nieces, nephews, and friends.