Claire A. Trudeau

Claire A. Trudeau died peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 21, 2005, surrounded by his family.

Claire was born in Woonsocket, South Dakota on January 27, 1927. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 at the age of 17. He saw action in the South Pacific. On June 22, 1947, he married Carol Voigt of Tyndall, South Dakota and they were married 58 years. In Woonsocket, Claire was a truck driver, delivering eggs to Texas, and later, worked as a meat cutter. They moved to Auburn, Washington in 1956. He worked at the Boeing company 5 years, and left to operate his own landscaping business, Auburn Lawn & Fences with his sons. He was employed as Grounds Supervisor with the Auburn School District until 1975, when he became Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor in the Sumner School District until his retirement. He became an avid gardener and wood craftsman, but being still active, went to work for Avis Rent a Car for 8 years, until his health began to fail.

He wrote his own life's story for his children and grandchildren and listed the highlights of his life: born and raised on a farm, his experiences in the Navy, battles, being on a ship that was sunk, and his marriage to Carol and having his six children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He told anyone who would listen, he was the "luckiest man".

Claire is survived by his wife, Carol, and three sons, Larry (Margaret) Sumner, Dan (Noemie) Sumner, and Lonnie of Auburn, three daughters, Pamela of Sumner, Penny (Don) Powers, Federal Way, and Sherri (Steve) Salisbury, Sumner. Thirteen grandchildren, Nicole (Matthew) Newsome, Amber Robinson both of Sumner, Zachary (Ann Marie)Trudeau, Novato, CA., Nathan and Rachel Trudeau, Sumner, Brandon Trudeau, Sumner, Matthew Powers, Champaigne, IL., Jessica Trudeau, Redwood City, CA., Andrew Trudeau, Sumner, Casey Trudeau, San Fransico, CA.., Aleisha, Tyler, and Troy Salisbury, Sumner. Three great grandchildren, Max and Ellie Newsome, Sumner, and Abigail Trudeau, Novato, CA.

Memorial services will be held at the Auburn First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, August 30, at 3:00. Internment at Tahoma National Cemetery in Maple Valley. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity or the Puyallup Good Samaritan Hospice. Friends are invited to sign online at www.faofwa.com. Arrangements with Funeral Alternatives of Sumner.