Edeltraud "Trudi" Roesch

Edeltraud “Trudi” Roesch, of Cedarburg, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Kathy Hospice in West Bend at the age of 69 years, after a brave but short battle against gastric cancer. Trudi was born in Essen, Germany on July 8, 1948, the daughter of the late Gerhard and the late Elfriede (nee Steffan) Terdenge. The family emigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1955 and relocated later to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trudi attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1972. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree in German Language from George Washington University, in Washington D.C. She then spent a year in Germany as a teacher of English as a second language before earning her teaching license back in Wisconsin. Trudi began her teaching career at Port Washington High School in 1974, where she taught German and met her future husband, Thomas Roesch. She then moved to Nicolet High School to continue teaching German until she retired in 1999. While at Nicolet, Trudi developed a German/American student exchange program with an upper level high school in Passau, Germany which continues today. Upon retirement, Trudi used her teaching talents to help other local schools and universities including: Dominican High School, Cedarburg High School, Grafton High School, First Immanuel Lutheran Grade School, Living Word Lutheran High School, and Concordia University. Trudi was also instrumental in establishing the “German Day” program that the University of Wisconsin-Madison continues to run every spring. An advocate for history and education, Trudi served as a member of the board of directors for the Cedarburg Cultural Center and volunteered her services for the Ozaukee County Historical Society. In addition, Trudi helped develop the Children’s History Tours in Cedarburg for 2nd and 3rd grade classes, as well as organizing the annual Christmas Tours at the historic Kuhefuss House Museum. Trudi was instrumental in encouraging local businesses to donate items for history-centered programs and fundraisers, such as the Women in History Luncheon for the Historical Society. Trudi additionally volunteered her talents for the Adult Literacy Program of Ozaukee County. As part of a tennis family, Trudi joined her husband Thomas in volunteering her time as a tennis coach for both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at Cedarburg High School. Her energetic, competitive nature and love of the game was highlighted while attending Tennis and Life Camps (TLC) at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. After attending the camps for over ten years, she never missed the opportunity to encourage students and friends to attend TLC, where the Serenity Prayer serves as the anchoring tenet of life and tennis. Among her many accomplishments throughout her short life, she will be forever remembered as a loving and caring person who always put others before herself. However, family always came first; Trudi remained an endearing companion to her husband, best friend to her daughter, and - prior to their recent passing - the devoted daughter and caregiver for her parents. She will be forever remembered by her loving husband, Thomas Roesch, daughter, Jennifer Roesch, brother-in-law, Timothy (Kathy) Roesch, nephew, Christopher Roesch, as well as many other relatives, students, and friends. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 9, 2018, 6PM at First Immanuel Lutheran Church (W67 N622 Evergreen Blvd.), in Cedarburg with the Rev. Timothy Seban officiating. The visitation will take place on Friday, at the church, from 3PM until 5:45PM. Trudi will be laid to rest next to her beloved parents at Lakefield Cemetery in Grafton. In lieu of flowers, memorials requested to establish the Trudi Roesch Memorial Scholarship Fund. A Celebration of Life will also be held in the summer of 2018, to commemorate Trudi’s love of tennis, teaching, and community.