Eugene Trudo

Eugene Louis Trudo, 87, of McGregor, Iowa died Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Crossing Rivers Health, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

Eugene Louis was born on February 12, 1929 to Elmer and Elsie (McNally) Trudo in Clermont, Iowa.

He attended high school in Clermont and earned his GED through the Navy.

Eugene enlisted in the United States Navy and honorably served from 1946 to 1948. He was a full seaman first class and signalman. The first ship he was on was the A.V.P- 38 and was named the U.S.S. Duxbury Bay and the second ship he was on was the U.S.S. Floyd Bay 40. While in the Navy he was an amateur radio DJ in his leisure time. Eugene was in the Navy Reserves from January 1948 until November of 1955. 

Eugene was united in marriage to Alice Gordon on January 11, 1949 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Clermont, Iowa. To this union five sons were born. They later divorced and Eugene was united in marriage with Ann Louise Jenson on December 19, 1970 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor, Iowa.

Eugene farmed many places and worked at the Castalia Carnation Creamery. When the Castalia Creamery closed, he moved to California to stay working with the Carnation Creamery, while he was working there he also worked at a filling station. He returned to Iowa and worked at the Luana Creamery.

In December of 1967, Eugene opened the McGregor Farmers’ Cooperative Elevator. He was also Chief of Police in McGregor in the early 1970’s.  Together with his wife Ann, he owned and operated Gene’s Marina in McGregor, and then owned and operated The Riverview Bar and Grill in McGregor, Iowa. After selling The Riverview to their son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Brenda, they operated The Pit Stop Bar and Grill and apartment complex in Marquette, Iowa.

Eugene enjoyed flying his airplanes and spending time boating on the Mississippi river.

Eugene and Ann lived in Punta Gorda, Florida from the late 1990’s until the early 2000’s. When Eugene moved back to Marquette with Ann, he was elected the Mayor of Marquette. 

Most of his life, Eugene worked two jobs at all times. 

Eugene is survived by his five sons; Eugene Michael (Kate) Trudo of McGregor, Mark Anthony Trudo of Punta Gorda, Florida, Rick E. (Brenda) Trudo of Harpers Ferry, Ronn Scott (Sherry) Trudo of Brownsville, Minnesota and Danny Lee (Mary Ann) Trudo of McGregor; eight grandchildren, Troy (special friend, Missy Coon) Trudo of Fort Meyers, Florida, Travis McCulloch of Seneca, Wisconsin, Bobbi Jo (special friend, Todd Crotty) Reames of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Ely Trudo of Brownsville, Minnesota, Jessica Trudo of Brownsville, Minnesota, Marssia Lechtenberg of McGregor, Zachary Trudo of McGregor and Jacob Trudo of McGregor; five great-grandchildren, Braden, Reanna, Broderick and Treyton Reames, and Nina Crotty; and one sister, Madonna Droze of Wellman, Iowa.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Elsie Trudo; wife, Ann Trudo; two brothers, Richard and Aldean Trudo, one granddaughter, Hallie Scarff; and one great-granddaughter, Regan Reames.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church, McGregor, Iowa with a visitation from 8:30 am – 10:00 am on Wednesday at the church before Mass. Rev. Nils de Jesus Hernandez will be the Celebrant.

Burial to follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor, Iowa with Military Rites.

Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.        52u52