Trudy (Kozlowski) Lofgren

Trudy Lofgren passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital due to complications from Covid Pneumonia.  

Trudy was born April 24, 1944, as “Gertrude Agnes” (Trudy) Kozlowski, in a Cheboygan farm house to Stanley and Veronica (Jankoviak) Kozlowski.  Trudy married Ray Lofgren who lovingly called her “Gorgeous” on August 31, 1963 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Cheboygan, and together they raised three children Debbie, Bryan and Tammie. 

Trudy graduated from Cheboygan Catholic High School in 1962 and was a lifetime member of the Cheboygan Catholic Community. Trudy was devout in her Catholic Faith and had a deep personal relationship with God, believing in the power of prayer, positivity and gratitude. She gave thanks daily for the life she was given and lived her life by example. She was highly involved in the Catholic Community, being a member of the finance committee, and helping anywhere an extra hand was needed.  

Trudy began her working career as a nanny for Dr. Carl Rauch, later becoming a car hop at Proffitt’s Drive-In. Being a hard worker and having an impeccable work ethic, Trudy began working at Citizen’s National Bank after her high school graduation until she and Ray founded Lofgren Enterprises in 1974, and also began the development of the “Old Duncan City” in 1981. 
Trudy had a space and a place for every being she encountered in this life, and her heart was open to lovingly seeing the best in people. She relished in seeing people succeed, especially in her beloved home town. Trudy lived her life with vibrancy and purpose, and encapsulated all that makes one a remarkable human being.  

Trudy embraced the pure love of family and of being a grandmother, and that love was felt by her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Trudy shared her unconditional grandmotherly love, kindness, (and chocolate chip cookies) to all her grandchildren, and embraced her loving role unconditionally to Kasey Raymond Lofgren, Nathan (Hannah) O’Grady, Adrianna Pelton, Dustin Pelton, Alaynah Pelton, Hailey Kujawa, Ethan Kujawa and Taylor Schultz and Finn and Henry O’Grady. 

Trudy could always be counted on to make someone feel special. She had a way of remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and of celebrating accomplishments. Trudy had a way of quietly noticing these things and lovingly and joyfully sending out oodles of personalized cards, which included beautiful messages written in nearly perfect handwritten penmanship. Trudy lived her life daily with an inner shine that sparkled outwardly wherever she would go.  
Trudy was a pillar in her community. Her list of accomplishments, involvements, awards and recognition is extensive. Trudy’s community involvement includes: attending several organizations; including Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Planning Commissions, County Commissioners Meetings, Township Board Meetings, and High School Sporting Events. 

Trudy was an integral and active member and volunteer of the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce. Her contributions to the City of Cheboygan and the Cheboygan Chamber are numerous. Including but certainly not limited to; she was Cheboygan Chamber President and Board Member, Chamber Ambassador, a key member of the Cheboygan Downtown Steering Committee, Head of Beautification Committee (anyone enjoying Cheboygan’s downtown Petunias can thank Trudy for her dedication to this project) and a member of the CAHS Jr. Ambassadors.  Trudy was awarded special recognition in 2007 as the Debbie Messler “Chamber Volunteer of the Year,” and in 2019 as the “Chamber Citizen of the Year,” when she was also celebrated as Grand Marshall of the Cheboygan Fourth of July parade.  

Trudy was humble and lived her life with humility and quietly noticed when someone was in need. She didn’t just notice these things, she took action and did so with a caring, loving and generous heart.  

Trudy is survived by her husband, Ray Lofgren, her children, Debbie Lofgren, Bryan Lofgren (Kristine Kujawa), Tammie (Tim) Pelton, and Tonya Schultz, who Trudy welcomed as one of her own, by her sisters Lee Coulter, Janet Danneels, Barbara Kramarz (Frank), Kirsten Kozlowski and her Brothers Lawrence (Dee) Kozlowski, Jerome (Patricia) Kozlowski, and John (Linda) Kozlowski, and sister-in-law’s Darlene Lunden and Sandra Kitchen. Embracing all who loved her and she loved her back, Trudy is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews, as well as several youths she has mentored in her life.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mother-in-Law Elaine Lofgren, Sister Therese LaPierre infant brother Raymond Kozlowski, and nephew Eric Kozlowski.  

When Trudy Lofgren left this world, she left a wide-open space in what some may see as a darkening world.  Despite such a great loss, Trudy leaves a legacy of a shining light. Trudy’s spirit of endless giving is woven into the fabric of her family, her community, and the people she touched. Trudy left a legacy of love and kindness and volunteerism and a passion for civic duty that will be noticed and felt for generations.  

A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, September 24, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. The family of Trudy Lofgren will greet family and friends at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, with the Father Dennis Stillwell officiating, accompanied by Father Duane Wachoviak. 

The family invites all who wish to join them in a celebration of life luncheon to the Cheboygan Knights of Columbus Hall following the service. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.  

Anyone wishing to make memorial contributions honoring Trudy can make them to Northern Michigan Animal Rescue Network (NMARN), Bishop Baraga School, or the Cheboygan Area Schools Transitional Living Program.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Trudy (Kozlowski) Lofgren, please visit our floral store.