Deborah Ann “Grandma” Trudell, age 50, of 9264 Hwy M-35, Gladstone died Wednesday morning October 17, 2007 at the St. Francis Hospital, in Escanaba, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Deborah was born April 25, 1957, in Escanaba, the daughter of Henry H. and Betty Lou (Demeuse) Doneau. Deb’s mother was sited an award for giving birth to the cutest baby in Delta County’s Cutest Baby Contest of 1957, a memory that Deb was extremely proud of. She was raised in Perkins and graduated with honors from Perkins High School, class of 1975. Deb continued her education at Bay De Noc Community College receiving her Associate Degree in Accounting and Business Management.

Deb was united in marriage to Thomas Trudell on June 5, 1976 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins. Together Deb and Tom made their home and raised their family in the Perkins and Cornell areas. Deb and Tom eventually relocated to Gladstone where they have resided for the past 10 years. Throughout her life, Deb was employed by Advanced Electric and Payne & Dolan. For the past 9 years Deb worked at JC Penney, in Escanaba, until her health began to fail, preventing her from working.

Deb enjoyed painting, arts and crafts, working crossword puzzles and relaxing with her dogs. She loved spending time with and cooking for her family and will be fondly remembered for her homemade cinnamon rolls. She was always happy and full of life and will be sadly missed by loved ones and friends.

In addition to her husband Thomas, survivors include:
2 daughters: Kristi (Shanon Holtz) Trudell of Gwinn; Stacey (Ryan Kaminen) Trudell of Gladstone

3 brothers: Mike (Pam) Doneau of Bark River; Terry (Diane Potvin) Doneau of Gladstone; Brian (Jenny) Doneau of Gladstone

3 sisters: Elizabeth (Wayne) Cooper of Perkins; Donna (David) Larson of Gladstone; Amy (Jeff) Ebbesen of Gladstone

1 grandson: Zachariah Van Gheem of Gwinn

Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins

Mother-in-law: Ruth Trudell of Perkins

Special co-worker friend: Cathy Stone of Rapid River

3 Schnauzers: Angel; Luckster; and Infant

Deb was preceded in death by her parents and father-in-law, Walter Trudell.

Deb’s family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services celebrating the life of Deborah Ann Trudell will follow at 4:00 PM with Rev. Devon Barrix of the Faith and Bethany Lutheran Church’s in Rock and Perkins officiating. Luncheon will follow at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Perkins.