Gertrude "Trudy" Maclaren

MCFARLAND/ALBANY/BATAVIA, IL--Trudy MacLaren, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, holding the hand of her daughter, Sally. Trudy was born on December 30, 1931 in Pontiac, Michigan to Cloyd and Alice Houts. She grew up with two sisters, Mary and Barbara, and one brother, David. Trudy met and married David Dyer MacLaren on June 23, 1951 in Michigan. Trudy and David loved to dance to music of the big band era. They were lucky enough to dance together for 67 years until David passed away in 2018. As they raised their three children, Trudy and David moved to Omaha, Nebraska, back to Pontiac, Michigan, on to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Whitewater, Wisconsin, Batavia, Illinois, and finally to Albany, Wisconsin.

Trudy was an entrepreneur, opening an antique shop, first on her own, and later with other artists and antiquers. She loved to research her pieces, find all of us unique gifts and collections, and travel with David and a big van of furniture, dishes, glassware and more to antique shows and events. Trudy even had her own cable television show at one point. Trudy’s business savvy was only one facet of her personality that made her a success. Trudy truly cared about people. If you came into her shop as a customer, you left her shop as a friend. If you needed her help or support, she was there for you.

Trudy was a loving and fun mother, daughter, sister, Nomie, and Nomie-Great. She always celebrated all of our birthdays, anniversaries, and every holiday. Trudy loved to entertain; she decorated, cooked, and served everyone with hospitality and care. Trudy was a volunteer at her church and in the community. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church wherever she lived at the time.

Trudy is survived by her sister, Mary Linseman, her brother, David (Beth) Houts, and her sister-in-law, Norma MacLaren; her children, Mac (Sharon) MacLaren, Carrie (Duane) Marlette, and Sally MacLaren-Meuer; her grandchildren, Drew (Erin) Meuer, Kyla Meuer, and Carly (Brian) Linzmeyer, Silvie Marlette, Ian (Sam) Marlette, Cassie MacLaren, and Camille MacLaren. She is further survived by great-grandchildren, Marigold Meuer, Abraham Meuer, Conley Linzmeyer, Jaxson Marlette, and William Marlette; and many nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.

Trudy was preceded in death by her husband, David MacLaren, her sister, Barbara Dodt, and her brother-in-law, Robert MacLaren.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 5801 Hwy 51 McFarland.  A graveside funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon at Hillcrest Cemetery in Albany, WI.

In lieau of flowers, donations may be made to Agrace.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

5801 Highway 51  McFarland

(608) 838-0655

The visitation and service will be taped and available for viewing at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 1st. Please register at the following link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=b19c77cd-4144-4507-8052-c590a9bc6a0e