Gertrude Mary "Trudy" Kauffman

Gertrude “Trudy” Kauffman, 97 of Palmyra, went home to her Lord and Savior at 6:29 AM on Monday, May 12, 2025 at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital. Trudy, the first of four daughters born to John Meyer Kauffman and Dorothy Marie Einzig, debuted on August 2, 1927 in Rutherford Heights, PA.

Reserved as a child, Trudy blossomed into an upbeat, ready for anything kind of girl. She graduated from Lower Paxton High School in 1945 and enrolled in Central Penn Business College. Following graduation, she went to work as a teller at Harrisburg National Bank. In 1960, she took her first big leap. She left home to move 600 miles away to Winona Lake, IN to work in administration at Grace College and Seminary. She made some wonderful friends at Grace who have remained her friends throughout the years. Returning to Harrisburg, she worked as a secretary at AMP, Inc., but was ready to take on a challenge when her brother-in-law, Dr. James Crispen asked her to help get a new concept off the ground, the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank. She set up the office on a shoestring and eventually hired two of her sisters to help in the office. The rest is history.

In the late 1970’s, Trudy went and joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, now known as Cru. For a short time she worked at their headquarters in San Bernardino, CA, but soon she was assigned to the Agape Europe headquarters in Staufen, Germany. In the early 1980’s, Trudy was recruited to join the staff of the Grace Brethren Foreign Missions, now known as Encompass World Partners. After language training, she joined the staff at the Chateau in Saint-Albain, France. There she employed her considerable hospitality skills to house visiting professors at the Grace Seminary Extension and support the feeding and comfort of the guests.

In November 1985, Trudy retired and return to Harrisburg moving in with her youngest sister. In 1986, she went to work for Underwriters and Administrators as the receptionist. She later joined Pete Evans and his team at DH Evans and Associates in the same position.

Trudy was well-liked everywhere she went and made long-lasting friendships. She could keep you entertained for hours recounting her travels and experiences with diverse Christians across the globe.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Joanne Nordin and Eleanor Carnes. She is survived by her sister, Darlene Kauffman, with whom she has lived for 38 years, nieces and nephews, and their children.

Trudy was a member of Hershey Presbyterian Church. She was a former member of Melrose Gardens Grace Brethren Church, Hope Grace Brethren Church, and Hershey Free Church. She also had been an active attendee at Calvary Chapel Lebanon.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, May 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6098 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, followed by a luncheon and time of visitation at the church. Graveside service is private.

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