Obituaries
Trudy Wipfelder-Deanne
Published on Thu, Apr 15, 2010Read More Obituaries
Trudy Wipfelder-Deanne, 85 of Edmonds died peacefully on 3/17/2010. She was born on 10/14/1924 in Munich, Germany to Anna and Ernst Wipfelder. She was raised by her mother during WWII. Her childhood experience of growing up in a war-torn country profoundly shaped her worldview.
During the war she and her mother protected and helped her lifelong friend, Dora Molenaar evade Nazi persecution. They did this at some risk to their personal safety. Trudy, Dora and the surviving heirs of both families have maintained strong friendships.
After the war while working for the Red Cross, Trudy met and married her first husband, Willis Scherping, an American soldier. They moved to the United States in 1948 and had six children. Willis passed away in 1960. Trudy met her second husband Gerry Deanne in 1962 and had a son in 1963. They moved to Edmonds in 1965 where they raised their family.
After many years of being a working mother, Trudy was determined to return to the university to resume her lifelong pursuit of knowledge. She received several degrees from the University of Washington and earned admission to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Trudy had a dynamic, outspoken personality and touched the lives of many people. She worked actively in the areas of adult literacy, English as a Second Language, international student outreach and education. In her later years Trudy continued to host foreign students, corporate guests and international friends who desired immersive language instruction. Due to her keen interest in humanity she developed lifelong friendships with a diverse group of people from all walks of life.
Trudy loved nature and animals, especially cats. She belonged to and supported numerous organizations and charities focused on animal welfare and the environment.
She is survived by six of her children; Victoria (Brad), Franklin, Fredric, Ann, Drew (Judy) and Jim (Lori). She has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her first husband Willis, second husband Gerry and infant son Felix preceded her in death.
She will be missed by her family and all that knew her. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to "http://www.whiskercity.com" www.whiskercity.com. A celebration of Trudy’s life will be held on 4/17/2010 from 11am to 2pm at the Lake Forest Park Bar and Grill located at 17535 Ballinger Way NE, Seattle. To learn more "http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/wipfelder-deanne/homepage.aspx" http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/wipfelder-deanne/homepage.aspx
During the war she and her mother protected and helped her lifelong friend, Dora Molenaar evade Nazi persecution. They did this at some risk to their personal safety. Trudy, Dora and the surviving heirs of both families have maintained strong friendships.
After the war while working for the Red Cross, Trudy met and married her first husband, Willis Scherping, an American soldier. They moved to the United States in 1948 and had six children. Willis passed away in 1960. Trudy met her second husband Gerry Deanne in 1962 and had a son in 1963. They moved to Edmonds in 1965 where they raised their family.
After many years of being a working mother, Trudy was determined to return to the university to resume her lifelong pursuit of knowledge. She received several degrees from the University of Washington and earned admission to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Trudy had a dynamic, outspoken personality and touched the lives of many people. She worked actively in the areas of adult literacy, English as a Second Language, international student outreach and education. In her later years Trudy continued to host foreign students, corporate guests and international friends who desired immersive language instruction. Due to her keen interest in humanity she developed lifelong friendships with a diverse group of people from all walks of life.
Trudy loved nature and animals, especially cats. She belonged to and supported numerous organizations and charities focused on animal welfare and the environment.
She is survived by six of her children; Victoria (Brad), Franklin, Fredric, Ann, Drew (Judy) and Jim (Lori). She has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her first husband Willis, second husband Gerry and infant son Felix preceded her in death.
She will be missed by her family and all that knew her. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to "http://www.whiskercity.com" www.whiskercity.com. A celebration of Trudy’s life will be held on 4/17/2010 from 11am to 2pm at the Lake Forest Park Bar and Grill located at 17535 Ballinger Way NE, Seattle. To learn more "http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/wipfelder-deanne/homepage.aspx" http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/wipfelder-deanne/homepage.aspx