Dennis Leon Trudeau

Dennis Trudeau passed away on Tuesday, March 21^st, 2023, he was 85. 

He was born in Spencer, Wisconsin on January 13, 1938, the oldest of 10 children. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps for 24 years and was also a Vietnam Veteran and a member of VFW Post 2260. He was very proud of his time as a “Devil Dog"/"Gyrene”/ “Jarhead”, he loved every minute of it, and his eyes would light up with every story he told from his military days. Early in his military career, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where he would meet his wife of 60 years. 

After he retired from the Marine Corps in 1983, he started his big adventure as a commercial truck driver, like his father. He continued to drive for years and decided he would rather be home, so his adventures on the road would come to an end. He then started another career with the Post Office as a truck driver, and then supervisor, and stayed until he retired in 2011. He will always be remembered for being a hardworking, honest man with strong moral principles and a stern, yet loving father and grandfather. He was world-renowned for his mouth, not holding back his opinion, and had a knack for telling it like it is. He always told you the truth even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. He loved all things woodworking, fishing, shooting or hunting, and working on cars. He also loved Country music, so much so that he would blast it every Saturday morning at 0600, as a “wake-up” call for us to get up and do our chores. Oh, and we can’t forget to mention how much he loved those TV Westerns.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Leola Bellmore (Sister), Patrick Murphy (Brother), and Ariana Diaz (Great-granddaughter).

He is survived by his loving wife, Tomie Trudeau ; brothers: Tom (Anne) Murphy, Michael (Diane) Murphy, and Ralph (Rachel) Murphy; and sisters: Elizabeth Murphy, Cynthia (Greg) Abresch, Christine Murphy, and Kathy (Ken) Adelmeyer. 

He will be greatly missed by his 7 children: Cynthia (Mike) Pennell, Denise (Steven) Calhoun, Bernice (Jay) Veeder, Dennis (Ramona), Leo (Petronella), Michele (Billy) Bagwell, and Eugene.

Much loved “Grandpa”, “Papa”, and “Ojii” by his 19 grandchildren: Kyle & Kody Smith, Tanya Pennell, Connor & Cole Calhoun, Joshua, Jacob & Jackson Veeder, Jessica Trimberger, Dennis (Ted) & Rebecca Trudeau, Jazmyn, Nikole & Kaiya Trudeau, Ashley Rabago, Alyssa Lawien, Amaia Bagwell, Christopher, & Hailey Trudeau. He also leaves behind six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  

We would like add a special thank to VFW POST 2260. In lieu of flowers please donate to the charity of your choice.