Gertrude Louise “Trudy” Kudrak

Gertrude “Trudy” Kudrak passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025, at age 89. She was loved and adored by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Trudy was born in Binghamton, New York, in July 1936. As a child, she enjoyed piano lessons, drawing, animals, and time with her next-door neighbor and best friend, Carolyn. An excellent student, she graduated from Binghamton North High School in 1954 and went on to study chemistry at Harpur College (now known as Binghamton University-SUNY).

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1958, she began graduate studies in chemistry at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where she taught chemistry in the home economics department, including a course on the chemistry of food. Cornell is also where she met her loving husband, Daniel. She and her roommates had volunteered to bake apple pies, and when Daniel was sent over by his housemates with the apples, Trudy answered the door. They were married in 1961 in a chapel on the Cornell campus. Her best friend Carolyn married one of Daniel’s housemates and the couples remained friends throughout their lives.

When Daniel completed his PhD at Cornell University, his employment took the family to Ohio and then to Colorado a decade later. Shortly before the blizzard of 1978, Trudy’s family relocated to Kokomo, Indiana, where Daniel had joined Delco Electronics.

In addition to raising their five children, Trudy was employed by the Catholic Church, Diocese of Lafayette, in the Religious Education Office. She was a long time member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church after converting to Catholicism as an adult, including sponsoring other adults. She was a dedicated hospital volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital for many years, bringing comfort and a smile to patients. A lifelong learner, she enjoyed teaching as well, later becoming a private math and science tutor for high school students for over 15 years.

Trudy had a wide variety of interests. She continued to play piano while her children were growing up, and many of them followed in her footsteps. She was blessed with a true green thumb. Some of her favorite activities were gardening, tending houseplants and flowerbeds as well as a large vegetable garden, plus canning fruits and vegetables. Trudy’s delicious pies were always a special dessert in their home! She was a talented seamstress who sewed many of the family’s clothes (sometimes with matching Barbie outfits) and was a member for decades of the Howard County Extension Homemakers Association. She and Daniel enjoyed weekly bowling with a couples bowling league. Trudy also loved doing word puzzles during her entire life.

Later in life, Trudy was invited to art classes at the Kokomo Art Association and rekindled her love of drawing and painting, especially landscapes and still lifes. In addition, she became skilled at framing her own artwork. For several years, she served as both office manager of the Kokomo Art Center and President of the Kokomo Art Association until 1992, organizing shows and classes for the community. Trudy also discovered quilting as a member of the Kokomo Piecemakers Quilt Guild. She loved to combine different colors and patterns, making and donating many blankets and quilts to charity.

Trudy is survived by her five children: Ken (Renee) Kudrak, Christine (Larry) Majors, Mary (Matthew) Short, Annette Kudrak, and Catherine (Thomas) Fisher; by her eight grandchildren: Devon Kudrak, Natalie (Christopher) Holder, Ryan Majors, Caroline Majors, Graham (Vita) Fisher, Emily Fisher, Anna Fisher, and Danny Fisher; by her three great-grandchildren: Khalia Holder, Amaya Holder, and Micah Holder; by her lifelong best friend, Carolyn Johnson; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Trudy was predeceased by Daniel, her devoted husband of almost 60 years, and her dear brother Ernest (“Ernie”).

Trudy’s family extends the most heartfelt thanks to Friendship Village of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Trudy received wonderful care during the final years of her life. She particularly loved the music programs and art activities. The family also wishes to thank the dedicated staff of Centrica Care Navigators.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10am to 11am Thursday November 20, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, Indiana. A memorial service for Trudy will be held at 11am. A link will be available at the bottom of Trudy’s obituary page to view the funeral live on Thursday. A graveside service and burial will follow at Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Friendship Village Kalamazoo Employee Appreciation Fund, 1400 North Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 https://friendshipvillagemi.com/donate/ or to the Kokomo Art Association, 525 W Ricketts St, Kokomo, IN 46902. https://kokomoartassociation.networkforgood.com

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