Gertraud Knittle

OBITUARY

Gertraud “Trudy” Knittle, age 71, passed-away, May 13th, 2020 after fighting a long battle with Laryngeal and stage 4 lung Cancer.  Trudy was born June 3rd, 1948 in Munich, Germany to Hildegard Artner.  In 1957, while stationed in Germany with the United States Air Force, Billey Gene Hudson met and married Hildegard Artner, and adopted Trudy.  That began quite an adventure for her.  In 1957 they left Germany, as Billey became stationed in England, and then, a year later, they journeyed all the way to the United States where they resided in Indiana for 5 years.  After those 5 years were up, they were then stationed in France for 3 ½ years.  From France they went to Florida.  After being stationed in Florida for a year, the family then split up for awhile when Trudy’s Dad was sent to Thailand and her Mom moved to South Dakota.  Trudy then moved to Georgia to live with a friend.  From 1968-1969 Trudy and her family were back in Indiana.  Sometime in 1969, her Dad and Mom moved to Alaska, to yet another duty station, but Trudy stayed in South Dakota and then eventually moved to Denver, Colorado where she met her future Husband.

Trudy was working at a diner in Denver where she met Marvin “Tony” Eugene Knittle.  Tony became a dear friend to Trudy before their relationship progressed into something much more.  In 1972, Trudy was pregnant with her 2nd child, Sean, and Tony was by Trudy’s side throughout her pregnancy and extremely supportive.  Ultimately, he raised Sean as his own.  In 1974, they gave birth to their first daughter, Tammy.  Finally, in December of 1975 they decided to marry.  Trudy and her family then moved to Arizona in 1977 to be near her husband’s Mom and Stepfather.  Trudy’s life seemed to change drastically from city living to that of living on Farms and Ranches.  Trudy was a stay at home Mom and, to keep herself occupied, she loved to reminisce about her time in Germany and France growing up.  The excitement of her stories showed even more when she would come across a documentary about either of the two countries to watch with family.  Trudy told many stories about the monuments and the Castles that she once visited.  She always dreamed of returning home.  Sadly, she never had the opportunity.  In 1982 Tony and Trudy gave birth to their youngest child Desiree.

Trudy’s other passions were watching classic movies and she loved her music.  She had quite a wide range in taste of music.  She listened to music of the world, much that came from the lands of here youth.  That of course included some of her American favorites like Elvis Presley, Rick Nelson, Doris Day and Debbie Reynolds, just to name a few.

Trudy was a tough woman, very protective of her Children, and cared greatly for others.  If you ever had the chance to get to know her, then you knew that Trudy would go out of her way to help you in your time of need.

Trudy was a very loyal person and her friends were extremely important to her.

Trudy was preceded in Death by her husband Tony of 28 years, her Mother Hildegard, and also by her first-born son Christopher Ryan Rose, who was tragically taken in a car accident only a few months after his birth.

Trudy has left behind many loved ones.  She is survived by her Father Billey Gene Hudson; sister Kathy Emilie Luze; her two nieces Amanda Gene Luze and Miranda Mae Luze of Lead, SD.; her son Sean Daryl Hudson of Tucson, AZ. and granddaughter Jennifer Faith Groves-Hudson of Waukesha, WI.;  her daughter Tamara “Tammy” Kay Knittle-Stevens and grandson Brayden Andrew Stevens currently of Irmo, SC.; her granddaughter Alyssa Brianna Roberson and great grandson Anthony “AJ” Leroy Scheffelman, Jr. of Sahuarita, AZ.; her daughter Desiree’ Andrea Knittle and grandson Trystan Clay Rudolph Knittle currently of Malta, ID.; and also by her two granddaughters Desert Star Halbert and September Sky Halbert of Olathe, CO.

There will not be a Funeral service at this time.  We may have a small memorial service for Trudy set for a later date, in South Dakota with her family there.  Condolences, Flowers and Donations may be sent to: 1803 Cedarbrook Dr.  Columbia, SC.  29212