Trudith Lyn Pierce went home peacefully on Sunday, March 30th, surrounded lovingly by her family.

She was born to Arthur and Rose Olsen on Oct. 2, 1943, in Algona, Iowa and was raised in nearby Sexton. She attended the local one-room schoolhouse in her elementary years but graduated from Algona High school in 1961.

Trudy married Dale Hannover (Dv, 72), and together they had three children: Sheila Hannover of Austin Tx., Stacey (Lisa) Hannover of Owatonna, and Sonja (Jeff) Knutson of Zimmerman MN.

In 1974 she married the love of her life, Michael, and together they moved to Owatonna, which would be home for the next 49 years of marriage, family, and community.

Trudy worked in many capacities that brought her joy, serving people and sharing the beautiful and infectious smile for which she was known. Upon moving to Owatonna, she worked at Flom Plumbing and Heating and Life Style Management, but her fondest positions were held at the Chamber of Commerce, Owatonna High School and the Steele County Extension office, where she could help people and share her love with others.

Throughout her life she modeled the call of serving others, as she was an active volunteer through many service organizations including: 4-H, Jr. Leadership, the Red Cross, the VFW Auxiliary (at the Local, District and State levels), the Steele County Free Fair, TOPS, the Owatonna Historical Society, the Owatonna Orphanage, the Moonlighters Exchange Club, the Country Charms Extension Club, the Owatonna Hospital gift shop, the Community Holiday Dinner, teaching Trinity Lutheran Church's Sunday School program, and most recently Countryside Assisted Living where she welcomed new residents as a welcome team member.

Her efforts and her love for community were not overlooked as she humbly accepted the Book of Golden Deed Award, the Women of Achievement acknowledgement, the Friend of 4-H Award, the Minnesota 4-H Centennial Hall of Fame Award, the Exchange Club Builder Award, and the Outstanding Senior Citizen award in 2022 which she and her husband Michael received jointly for their volunteer work in the community for more than 40 years.

Trudy's passions were gardening, decorating, empowering women, playing cards, games and cribbage and hosting events with Michael. Together they loved hosting meals, sharing stories and encouraging words, and filling their guests' hearts with laughter and love.

In recent years, Trudy discovered one more favorite activity: getting to know her nine great-grandchildren as they grew from newborns, to toddlers, to fun-loving and energetic children. Visits from her many "greats" never failed to brighten her day.

Trudy's constant source of joy will leave a lasting impression on those who were privileged to call her family and friend.

Trudy is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and two siblings (Richard and Alan).

Trudy is survived by her three children, seven grandsons: Danial (Nikki), Nick, Mitch (Whitney), Phillip (Kara), Jack, Alec (Grace), and Connor; nine great grandchildren: Will, Maddie, Wyatt, Levi, Matthew, Olivia, Bradford, Kairi and Harper; a brother Terry; and many loved extended family members and friends.

Her family invites you to a visitation at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, April 4th from 4PM – 7PM and the Funeral, which will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna, on Saturday, April 5th at 10:00AM with a one-hour visitation prior to the service. A luncheon will follow a graveside service at Forest Hill Cemetery, at Trinity.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Veterans Memorial (Moonlighters Exchange Club), the Steele County 4-H program, the VFW Auxiliary #3723, or Countryside Assisted Living, Owatonna where Trudy lived and enjoyed her new friends, staff, and community this past year.