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Trudy was born to Kent and Eloise Wierman in Barberton, Ohio on September 30, 1940 and was raised in Akron, Ohio. Growing up she enjoyed spending time with her many cousins and close group of friends, as well as waterskiing on Portage Lakes.
While attending Kent State University, she and her college roommate decided to spend a summer working at a resort in Swampscott, Massachusetts. It was there that she met her future husband, Bill Ausfahl, who had traveled east for a Cal fraternity convention. Although Bill had to return to California, their long-distance relationship blossomed. They were married on June 23, 1962, in Akron, Ohio and moved to California to start their life together. They eventually settled in Moraga, where they lived for nearly 60 years and raised their three sons, Tom, Andy and Matt.
Trudy was a kind and caring person, with a down-to-earth and unassuming personality. Her warmth, ready smile and good nature drew many to her. She also had a sly sense of humor and loved to laugh. She had a wonderful group of friends, including those she made in her bridge and walking groups as well as those she made from being active in the Lamorinda community for so many years. She was a longtime member of the Junior League and the Moraga Garden Club. She also had many interests including music (she loved playing the piano), tennis, and travel, particularly to Hawaii, as well as land preservation (both in the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe). She developed a love for Cal, pretty much a given knowing the Ausfahl family, and enjoyed attending Cal football and basketball games. She was a staunch supporter of women's athletics at Cal, and she was thrilled to see the increased athletic opportunities now available for girls and young women. She was also very fond of Kent State, her alma mater, where she majored in Education. She supported many students over the years who were pursuing careers in teaching.
Most of all, she cherished family. Despite her many decades in California, she never forgot her Ohio roots and maintained strong connections with her cousins and friends.
She was a devoted and loving wife and mother and was graced with five granddaughters whom she adored (and deserved, after raising three boys!). With sons and grandchildren spread across the country, she treasured the annual summer family reunions at Lake Tahoe, which typically occurred over the 4th of July holiday. This made her passing on the 4th of July all the more touching.
Trudy was a Christian, who loved the Lord. In her latter years, she drew particular comfort and strength from her beloved daily devotional books. She is survived by Bill, her loving husband of 62 years, sons Tom (his wife Corinna and their daughters Catharina, Charlotte and Alexandra), Andy (his wife Ali and their daughters Emma and Daisy) and Matt and brother-in-law Robert (King) Ausfahl.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Trudy's memory can be made to either: 1) John Muir Land Trust, P.O. Box 31, Martinez, CA 94553 or 2) Kent State University Foundation, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001 (Trudy Ausfahl Medallion Scholarship).
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA