Trudy Margaret Papenberg

Trudy Margaret Papenberg was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 15, 1923 to William G. and Elizabeth/Betty (Werner) Mehring. Shortly after her birth her parents moved to Forest Park, Illinois where her father operated a bakery. Through the 8 th grade, Trudy attended St. Bernadine Catholic
Church and School. She then attended and graduated from Niles Township High School after her parents moved there.
Trudy had a love for singing. In 1947 she began attending St. John Lutheran Church in Niles, Illinois to begin singing in the church choir. It was there she met her husband Walter (Walt) L. Papenberg who was a teacher at the school and also the organist and choir director. During that time she fully joined the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Trudy and Walt were joined in holy matrimony on November 19, 1948, and were blessed with two sons, Mark and Todd. They were married 57.5 years until Walt's passing in 2006.
Trudy supported her husband's teaching ministry throughout their marriage. In 1951 they moved to Niagara Falls, New York, where Walt was called to start a new school at Trinity Lutheran Church. Walt would be principal, teacher, organist and choir director as well as where Mark and Todd were born.
In 1957 Walt accepted a call as teacher, organist and choir director to St. John Lutheran, Rochester, Michigan where they served for over 30 years. While at St. John, Trudy sang in the choir and volunteered with several woman's ministries. She also worked as an assistant cook in the school lunch program. One of her duties there was to bake about 50 loaves of bread per week. After she left that position she never baked another loaf of yeast bread again!
In 1965 Trudy began working at Holley Computer Products in Mt. Clemens, Michigan which later became part of Control Data Corp., then Centronics. The business had moved to a new facility in Rochester, Michigan. Trudy's first job was to assemble components for high speed computer printers. She progressed through several manufacturing positions, completing her career as a parts expediter in the material control department. Trudy was fond of her co-workers, made many friends and enjoyed participating in the bowling league. In 1985, after 20 years of service, she retired from Centronics.
After their respective retirements, Walt and Trudy moved to Canadian Lakes, Michigan, where they built a house and became members of Chapel of the Lakes Lutheran Church. While there, she sang in the choir, served with the Dorcas Circle, and was a member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. When the church held its charity Bazaars, Trudy would bring house plants for sale, bake coffee cakes, pies, pumpkin bars and other goodies. She also served on many spaghetti dinners helping with the preparation and clean- up. She tried never to miss a voters meeting. Walt and Trudy began to camp in the late 1960's when they bought their first travel trailer a WaWa. After a period of time they outgrew that and purchased larger trailers. They traveled around the country, including a camping trip to Alaska via the Alaskan Highway. They enjoyed many winters avoiding the cold Michigan weather by camping in Florida. Wherever they traveled they made sure to look up and visit with old friends. One great quality Trudy and Walt had was their ability to make and collect friends. Wherever they served, Niles, Niagara Falls, Rochester or Canadian Lakes, they made friends and kept in touch with them with an extensive Christmas card list.
Trudy had a passion for plants. She loved gardening and always had a house full of plants, cheerfully known as the plant lady at church. Trudy enjoyed the handcrafts of embroidery, needle point, crocheting and knitting as well as working crossword puzzles. She also had an affinity for Angel figurines, forming quite a collection. Trudy was an excellent cook and baker. She kept her family well fed and enjoyed collecting cook books and recipes and trying out new things on her family.
One hobby Trudy picked up later in life was the game of bridge. She couldn't get enough of it and was a member of many bridge groups in Canadian Lakes and made many friends and acquaintances through cards. She also enjoyed being involved in local community extension groups and making more friends.
Trudy leaves behind her two sons, Mark and Todd; two grandchildren, Scot and Cortney (Cris) Guerrero; a great grandson,Cristian Guerrero, and several nieces, nephews and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Walter; her brother William G. Mehring, Jr., and daughter-in-law Wendy. The Lord lovingly called Trudy home on October 11, 2023 at the age of 100 years, 6 months and 26 days with her son Todd at her side singing hymns. Her cremated remains will be interred in the Chapel of the Lakes Memorial Garden to await the Day of Resurrection.
A memorial service will be held at Çhapel of The Lake Lutheran Church in Mecosta on Saturday, November 11th at 11 AM with Pastor John Bookshaw officating. Visitation will held an hour prior to the service. Those desiring memorial donation can be directed to Chapel of Lakes Lutheran Church, envelopes will be available at the church.