Trudy DeHaan Obituary
A service in witness to Trudy's faith and life will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. noon at Centerpoint Church, 2345 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, with Pastor Fred DeYoung officiating. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service at the church beginning at 11:00 a.m. Trudy will be laid to rest at West Cooper Cemetery. Those wishing to make a lasting gift in Trudy's name are asked to consider Kalamazoo Disability Network, Centerpoint Church Senior Ministries, or American Red Cross, in c/o the funeral home.
The Lord Jesus gently called Trudy to be with Him in heaven on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Gertrude Evelyn DeHaan was born on December 6, 1947, to Egbert and Emmajean (Knapper) DeHaan III. She graduated from Parchment High and American College of Beauty. It was in high school she decided to change her name to "Trudy.". Instead of working as a beautician she became an efficient and valued office manager at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. The direction of Trudy's life changed when the load on an approaching semi tipped on her car. She received a traumatic brain injury. After a long recovery, although challenged, Trudy's faith, loving giving nature, and cheerfulness became her full-time occupation. First she loved her Lord, second, she loved all children, third she loved to help everyone she could. She gave of herself in volunteer work at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission Women's Auxiliary, Kalamazoo Deacon's Conference, Kalamazoo Christian Women's, Senior Services and the American Red Cross, including 12 gallons of blood donations. Trudy provided respite care, transportation, meal preparation, love and laughter to many families at Centerpoint and North Park Churches. Before the accident Trudy was teaching little ones in Sunday School, and Children's Church and singing in the choir. Her cheerful, happy, whistle and smile endeared her to everyone who knew her. Trudy's large family blessed by her, included four brothers, Duane (Nancy), Jud, Bruce (Tara) and Bob (Mary) DeHaan; and a total of 105 nieces and nephews, greats and great-greats. Last, when Trudy began to need extra help with the daily life she was loved, valued and enjoyed by the staff, residents and family members of Sojourner House, Park Village Pines, Crystal Woods and CentricaCare.
