Thelma Grosvenor Trudgen

Thelma G. “Siter” Trudgen, 90, of Indianapolis, died January 26, 2024 of pneumonia complicating Parkinson’s disease. Her survivors include Spencer, her husband of 66 years, daughters Anne Dillon (John), Julia Ehly (Christopher), Valerie Hooton (Douglas) and son David Trudgen (Kelly). There are also twelve beloved grandchildren.

Siter graduated from DePauw University in 1955. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority and majored in English and Speech. She was also a synchronized swimmer with DePauw’s Naiad group. She monitored her children carefully as they learned to swim and play tennis, the other sport she loved.

Siter taught school in Broad Ripple and Speedway. Later, she taught 6th grade in the military school in Augsburg, West Germany where her husband was serving in the Army.

Being involved in her children’s schools and the community was important to Siter. She was very active with the Day Nursery Auxiliary, helped start what today is known as “Maggie’s Café” at the Decorator’s Show House in her work with St. Margaret’s Guild, and co-chaired the committee that created the popular cookbook “Park Tudor Treasures”. She served one year as the President of the Brebeuf Mother’s Association. She was a Life Master in bridge, a docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and a longtime member at Meridian Hills Country Club, Riviera Club, and the Indianapolis Racquet Club.

Siter was a skilled reader and always had a book or two going. Siter and Spence participated in a dedicated gourmet dinner group for many years. She was an excellent cook. Siter walked the Appalachian Trail in segments with friends and told many interesting stories, as you might guess.

She loved to travel with Spence and her kids, especially in Europe, the South Pacific, and our own western United States. One night in Alaska, she caught a 10 ½ pound king salmon that she had frozen at the hotel to bring home and prepare as a luscious starter for their gourmet group when they hosted. It was a huge hit! Siter enjoyed family fishing vacations in Minnesota, Manitoba, and later in northern Maine where the grandsons learned the skills.

Siter was blessed with a large family and many wonderful friends. Some of her happiest times were summer “lake” weeks and Christmases when all her children and grandchildren were around. You could always find her in her kitchen dishing up something delicious with love. She was the finest person in every possible way. We love her forever and we will always miss her. Her final resting place is in her church’s columbarium.

A visitation for Thelma will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260, followed by a celebratory service at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Siter’s name to St. Luke’s or DePauw University.