Trudy A. Kuechle, age 72, of Watkins, died Monday, April 13th, 2026, at Hilltop Care Center in Watkins.

A Celebration of Trudy's Life will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Kimball. Private family burial will be held at a later date at St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery.

Trudy Ann Whitehead was born on April 9th, 1954, in Winnebago, Minnesota, to Wayne and Beverly Whitehead. She grew up near Delavan and graduated from Delavan High School in 1972. Trudy was active in cheerleading, band, county fairs, and entertaining herself with a myriad of animals on their farm.

On December 29, 1973 she married Jerome Kuechle at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Easton, Minnesota. Together they made their home in the Kimball and Watkins area, until they settled on their farm where they raised their four children. Trudy's priority was her family and she chose to stay home with her children when they were young. She also provided childcare to many neighboring families. She was constantly teaching, baking, and serving anyone who came into her home. She always had a song in her heart and there was always music playing. As her kids grew, she took her nurturing spirit into the Kimball Elementary School where she served as a paraprofessional and Kids Club coordinator.

When her first grandchild was born she relished the role of Grandmother and her focus shifted to crafting the most magnificent birthday cakes that any child could dream up. Trudy delighted in any opportunity to celebrate her eleven grandkids. She cherished every second with them.

In addition to her unwavering devotion to family Trudy enjoyed reading books, sewing, music, caring for her cats, and ensuring that everyone used the correct their, they're, or there. Trudy had a huge heart and considered it a joy to bring a smile to someone's face, whether it was a handwritten card or something to satisfy your sweet tooth. She always made time for these acts of love and never forgot to remind us to drive safe and watch out for deer.

Trudy is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jerome of Watkins; children, Jeremy (Alisha) Kuechle of South Haven, Kari (Steve) Christians of Parkers Prairie, Brandon Kuechle (Kendra Jackson) of Watkins, Tammy (Tom) Libbesmeier of Kimball; grandchildren, Cailyn, Ellie, Brookelyn, Hope, Ashlyn, Sira, Olivia, Drew, Molly, Laura, and Casey; siblings, Judy Whitehead (Brian Owen) of Las Cruces, NM and Tom (Denise) Whitehead of Nisswa. She was preceded in death by her parents.