Elna Engel Artress

Elna Engel Artress, was born on March 10, 1922, and completed her journey in this world at home on October 11, 2024, at the age of 102, with family by her side after a long but loving hospice journey.

Elna was the mother of four children, Richard (Nancy) Trudell of Helena, MT, Wendie Trudell of Harsens Island, MI, and Claudia (Dennis) Gilpatrick of Trenton, MI. Son, Neal Trudell, preceded her in death in October 1997 at the age of 44.

She was the very proud and dedicated grandmother of Danielle (Todd) Coleman, Melanie Trudell and Joseph Trudell, all of Washington; Brian (Kendra) Gilpatrick of Kansas, Amy Gilpatrick of Colorado, and Eric (Hannah) Gilpatrick of Nevada; Lance Trudell of Missouri, Jessica (Tory) Christianson of North Dakota, Jacob Trudell of Minnesota and predeceased by infant granddaughter, Nicole Ann Trudell who died in 1977. Elna also served as grandmother to Elizabeth (deceased) Reece and Kathy Hamilton of Montana.

Great Grandma Artress also lovingly leaves behind many great grandchildren including Kayla, Hannah, Chase, Taylor, Aaron and Waylon. Other great grandchildren include Emily, Jessica and Chayce.

Aunt Elna, Great Aunt Elna and Gma to some, was beloved by many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, home care companions and close friends, many helping care for her over the past several years. Even in hospice, she continued to have a sharp mind, and shared her wit, her memories and interest in others with all those around her.

Born as Elna Helen Engel, to Albert and Augustine (Becker) Engel, she was the 6th of 7 children. She was proud to say she was born in the corner bedroom in the newly constructed family home on Woodmere St. in southwest Springwells, Detroit. A few doors away, Chris Engel’s Greenhouse, founded in 1883 by Christoph Engel, and operated by six generations of Engels, still serves the neighborhood today. The Engel family immigrated from Mecklenberg, Germany in 1851. As the last of her generation in the family, Elna was a dear sister of the late Christopher Engel, Norman Engel, Alma (Engel) Dipple, and Albert Engel, Jr, all of whom lived a long and loving life. Deceased as infants were siblings Freda and Raymond.

She proudly raised her children and maintained a family home in Allen Park for more than thirty years while working as a dedicated and longtime retail employee of Sears Roebuck in Lincoln Park, Michigan.

She was an active resident of Trenton Towers in Trenton, Michigan (twice) for more than 25 years and made her home on Harsens Island (twice) for many of her retirement years and enjoyed extensive trips throughout the country visiting family and spending time with her grandchildren. In each community, she was an active member of local churches, gardening groups, Library, Bingo and retirement circles.

Elna's family has had a presence on Harsens Island on Lake St. Clair since the turn of the century. In the early days to reach the Lonesome Cottage, the day-long excursion began from Detroit with a two hour ride aboard a passenger steamer ship, The Tashmoo. The Engels would arrive at a landing near one of the many resort hotels and would continue the journey in a rowboat. Every generation of the family since 1915 has fond memories of summer life on Harsens Island, a place near and dear to her heart, visiting for the last time just a few weeks before her passing.

As per Elna’s wishes, no immediate funeral services are planned. A Celebration of Life and Remembrance will be held on Harsens Island at a future date to be determined in the summer of 2025.

The family would like to thank Angela Hospice of Livonia for the dedicated care provided by both the in-patient Care Center and their devoted home care team of professionals. In lieu of gifts of flowers, the family suggests a donation in the memory of Elna Artress to Angela Hospice.