Trudy Charlene Eastman

1930 - 2018

In July 1930, a bright spirit entered this world in Dutch Mills, Ark. Soon after, several members of her family moved to Klamath Falls with Trudy traveling in a box during the drive west. She lived the rest of her life in the Klamath Basin until her passing on May 19, 2018.
Trudy was raised by her mother, Myrtle Moore, and her father, Cecil Bennett. She grew up milking cows, dispensing rabbits and chickens to the family table and caring for younger brothers and a sister. She was very strong and could make her daughters behave by pinching them above their shoulders until they begged for mercy. She was little, but mighty.
Trudy attended Altamont School and Klamath Union, class of 1948. She was involved in many activities, including the rally squad, Pep Peppers and the infamous Gopher Girls. Many of these Gopher Girls were friends from childhood and continued to meet annually in Clear Lake, Calif., at the Gopher Hole for a week of fun and renewal of their 70-80 year friendship.
In 1946, she caught the attention of Richard Eastman who had just returned from World War II service in the Phillipines. They married in 1949 and had three daughters Susan, Diane and Debra.
While living in Klamath Falls, she worked for Moty and VanDyke, Drs. Frederick and Harrahill, and registering Klamath Rodeo entrants every summer with Darlene Blackman. In addition, she was an official host for the Democratic Party of Oregon during the John F. Kennedy campaign.
In 1964, she and her husband Richard bought an accounting and bookkeeping business in Tulelake, Calif., and became very active in the community. They later purchased the Mallard Duck and Goose processing plant.
Trudy served on several boards as chamber of commerce president, the Lava Beds National Park Board, and with Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was honored by U.C. Davis for her sevice in assisting in the development of field crops at the U.C. Field Station in Tulelake. She was most proud of being inducted into the California Waterfowl Federation Hall of Fame - the first woman to receive this award.
She liked to be involved and active. "I like to work!" she often said. She developed the TuleGoose Pillow Company, noted by Martha Stewart and the American Down Association for the quality of her products; compiled a wild game cookbook and was writing another book about the hunters, guides, and workers involved in the history of the Mallard. Her enjoyment of her working career can be seen on Dirty Jobs, "The GooseDown Plucker" with Mike Rowe.
Her true love was her family, especially her grandchildren who she loved to torment and scare. She and Richard built a cabin at Medicine Lake so the family could enjoy the outdoors as much as they did.
Trudy is survived by her daughters, Susan (Rick), Diane (Orv) and Debra (Nathan); grandchildren, Bret and Kristen Kreizenbeck, Justin and Chris Matthews and Abigail Shockey; her great-grandchildren, Leah, Connor, Jack, Hannah, Kaylee, Hunter, Annabelle, Nate and Logan; her brothers, Gale Bennett and Doug White; and lifelong companion, Richard Eastman. She had many nieces, nephews, in-laws, adopted children and friends she greatly loved. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Tom; sister, JoAnn; and step-father, Glen White.
Sincere thanks to High Desert Hospice, and the staff at Rogue River Place for their kindness and friendship during Trudy's final year. A celebration of Trudy's life will be held July 28, 2018, 11 a.m., in Davenport's Chapel, Klamath Memorial Park. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to High Desert Hospice, or a charity of your choice.