Archived Services

Gertrude "Trudy" Stevens
02-04-2020

Trudy (Duarte) Stevens, 75, passed away on February 4th at the Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage.  

Gertrude Ann Duarte was born on December 23, 1944 in El Paso, Texas to Thomas W. and Margaret (Schmitz) Duarte, the eldest of 5 siblings. She grew up in Parkston, South Dakota, graduating in 1963 with a special honor of having perfect attendance all 4 years of high school--a feat never accomplished again by her children or grandchildren, not even close! 

Trudy married Art Stevens in June 1966 and was blessed with two daughters, Cheryl and Carolyn, both born in Arlington, Virginia. In 1972, the Stevens family moved to Parkston, SD to take over the family business, The Corner Café.  Throughout the years Trudy worked in the café, the Parkston school system as a teacher's aide, and Casey's General Store. Later in life she moved to Brandon, SD and then Sioux Falls, where she worked for Sanford Hospital in the cafeteria.  

Her greatest joys were her grandchildren, they kept her young in many ways and filled her home with photographs and mementos on every wall, nook & cranny.   Trudy is survived by her daughter: Cheryl Stevens-Pool (Chuck) of Clermont, Florida; her grandchildren: Bob Stevens, Brandon, SD, Laura Elizabeth Stevens-Chopin, Portland, OR, Alex Pool, Sioux Falls, Taylor Thompson, Sioux Falls, Rachel Thompson and Will Thompson, Brandon, SD; her siblings: Mona (Dave) Geidel, Parkston, SD, Carmen (Don) Neumayr, Beresford, SD, John (Lorie) Duarte, Parkston, SD; and a very special niece: Sara (Vance) Siemonsma, whose assistance was immeasurable and deeply appreciated by the whole family. Trudy had nieces and nephews from her siblings and great-nieces and great-nephews, and several very close friends of the family. She will be missed by all. 

Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Thomas P. Duarte, her grandson, Michael Stevens and just a few months ago by her youngest daughter, Carolyn Thompson. Trudy fought a good fight against the disease that her daughter also had, Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  

A celebration of her life will be held at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home on Sunday, February 9th at 2:30 PM conducted by Lance Rensch. It will be a simple service, just as she wanted and interment will be in the Parkston Cemetery at a later date with a private service for her immediate family.  

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her memory to the Feeding South Dakota organization or Hungry Hearts of Sioux Falls. Trudy supported both of these organizations and they were very close to her heart.