Julian Joseph Trudeau, age 84, of Mentor, MN, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Riverview Health in Crookston on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022. A graveside memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13th, at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Gentilly, MN with Monsignor David Baumgartner presiding. Military honors will be provided by the Vanderwaal-Lusty American Legion of Mentor and the National Guard Honors Team. Just a reminder that seating is limited so please bring a chair with you if you have one. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held inside St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Erskine and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.
Julian was born on November 29, 1937 to Isaac and Margaret (Beaudry) Trudeau on the family farm near Gentilly. His growing-up years were spent on this farm which gave him many good memories that he would share with family and friends. He attended a rural school that was just up the road from his home and before his passing he could still name all of the students he attended school with. As like his Dad, Isaac, Julian was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly.
At the age of 19, Julian enlisted in the Army and trained at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. He spent two years in Germany with the 291st Field Artillery Battalion. He completed his military service on January 9, 1959 at Fort Sill in Oklahoma with the rank of Specialist 4th Class.
During his time in the military, he met Jo Ann Germany from Alto, Texas. They were married on November 8, 1958, in Lawton, Oklahoma. After completing his military service in the Army they settled in Minnesota to spend the next sixty-four years together. They raised a family of seven girls over that period of time. Mentor has been their home for the past fifty-three years.
Julian farmed for a period of time after his military service. He then started his own construction company in which he built and remodeled many homes in the area. The last 30-plus years he spent working for Paquin Potato Farms. He then retired due to health reasons.
He was a member of the Mentor American Legion Post #421 and the Crookston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1902.
Julian loved when family and friends came to visit. He enjoyed his cup of coffee while visiting around the kitchen table. Everyone who knew him understood he had a joke or two to tell and many stories to share. A conversation about farming was always a welcome subject. A good card game, a Yahtzee challenge, reading the newspaper, watching his western movies and TV shows, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and playing Solitaire on his iPad were enjoyable pastimes. He was knowledgeable about so many areas and could remember details with perfect recall.
Julian was a man with a good heart, a happy outlook on life, and a love for his family, especially his grandkids. His laugh will never be forgotten. He will be missed, but will always live on in our hearts.
Julian is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ann; daughters, Tammie (Bill) Royal of Kerrville, TX, Melinda (Craig) Larson of Crookston, MN, Kim (Brian) Ringdahl of Crookston, MN, Julie (Tom) Wrobel, Alexandria, MN, Cindy (Paul) Gregg, Crookston, MN, Kathy (Larry) Parr, Crookston, MN, Denise (Rich) Niemela, Crookston, MN; 22 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; sibling, Allan Trudeau, Gentilly, MN; sisters-in-law, Dorene Trudeau, Gentilly, MN, Marlene Trudeau, Oakdale, MN, and Vernae Trudeau, Marietta, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews.
Julian was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Margaret; infant son, Richard; siblings, Cecilia, Doris, Alice, Jim, Willard, Laurence, and John.
