The funeral service for Gertrude “Trudy” Rigge, 89, of Echo, will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wood Lake. Visitation will be Thursday, October 7, 2021, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the church, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Wood Lake.
Gertrude “Trudy” Florence (Timm) Rigge was born June 29, 1932, in Posen Township south of Wood Lake, to Harry and Marie (Brauer) Timm. She became a child of God through Holy Baptism on July 14, 1932 at Peace Lutheran Church in Echo, by Pastor Schroder. She renewed her baptismal covenant on May 12, 1946, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wood Lake, by Pastor Zimmerman. On September 10, 1950, Trudy was united in marriage to Orvin Rigge at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wood Lake. Trudy and Orvin were blessed with six children: Robert, Sonia, Bruce, Paul, Wayne, and Scott. She loved farming north of Echo with her husband and raising her family. Trudy’s biggest loves in life were God and her family. Her faith was very important to her, and she enjoyed being an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wood Lake. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Trudy especially enjoyed spending time with Orvin, whether it be while traveling, or just sitting with him in the barn while he milked cows. In her free time, Trudy enjoyed gardening, and she was very proud of her flowers. She was a wonderful cook and baker.
Trudy died on Friday, October 1, 2021, at the RenVilla Health Center in Renville, MN. She is survived by her children Robert (Laurie) of Wood Lake, Sonia Dvergsten of Watson, Bruce (Jamie) of Redwood Falls, Paul (Sheila) of Echo, Wayne (Kari) of Echo, and Scott (Kim) of Belview; 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; siblings Alfred Timm and Anita Rigge; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Orvin, son-in-law Paul Dvergsten, and siblings Walter Timm and Helen Prechel.