Gertrude (Trudy) E. Gaden Basquin passed away at 84 years of age on Wednesday, January 4, 2017.  Trudy was born to Ernest and Gertrude Gaden in Norwood Park, IL. She attended Northwestern University to follow her passion in the arts.  Trudy joined Kappa Delta sorority and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Art and Interior Decorating. She worked as a decorator saleswoman in Evanston, Chicago, and later in Elkhart.

Trudy met Stuart, husband and best friend of 60 years, on a blind date. After a courtship of sailing Lake Michigan, they married, started their family, and moved to Elkhart.  Trudy devoted her energies to raising her children and volunteering with the church, school, and community.  She was a member of the St. David's Episcopal Church Women, Four Arts Club, and League of Women voters.  Trudy also taught Sunday school, cared for neighbors, and created a warm and loving home for their four children.

Trudy returned to work at the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart, first as a volunteer docent and then as an Administrative Assistant. She enthusiastically used her art background to lead tours and help the museum run smoothly. After retirement, the Midwest Museum of American Art benefitted from her gifts of time, talent, and energy.  In her 70's, Trudy found many new friends as she returned to her practice of Hatha Yoga.  She completed a 200-hour teacher-training course at age 75.  Trudy shared her knowledge to inspire and bring healing to family and friends.

Despite a full schedule and house, Trudy always opened her heart and home to family, friends, and travelers.  Her eye for beauty, love of nature, nurturing spirit, passion for family, and strong faith touched everyone close to her.

She is survived by her husband Stuart, her son Blair of Bristol, Indiana; daughters Elizabeth (Philip Krause) of West Lafayette, Indiana; Robyn (Timothy Loughran) of Granger, Indiana; and Jacqueline (Paul Miotto) of Solon, Ohio; eight grandchildren Joseph, Katherine and Thomas Krause; Nicholas, Peter, and Anne Loughran; Michael and Christopher Miotto.

A requiem mass will be held at St. David's Episcopal Church, Elkhart, Indiana on January 14, 2017 at 2 pm.  Visitation with the family will be at 1 pm, prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to St. David's Episcopal Church and the Midwest Museum of American Art.