Trudy Kay (Brown) Evans

On May 13, 2026, our beloved mom and grandma, Trudy Kay Evans, went to her heavenly home. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. 

Trudy was born on February 28, 1945, in Klamath Falls to Frank H. and Alice O. (Hammond) Brown. She was brought home to Bonanza where she grew up and lived until graduating from Bonanza High School in 1963. Trudy often shared fond memories of country life, close family ties, and the many friends she made along the way. Her stories reflected the values that shaped her—hard work, ranching, farming, time spent with family and friends, 4-H, and, of course, a little mischief. 

After high school, Trudy went to Portland to stay with her Aunt Artie and attend business school. She also lived for a short time in Sacramento, California. In 1967, she married Wayne Gardner, and together they had three children: Tom, Trina, and Terri. They later divorced in 1973. 

Trudy met Terry Evans while out dancing at El Rancho Tule, where the two quickly became known as great dance partners. They were married on August 1, 1975, in a ceremony at their home on Harlan Drive. Together, they blended their families and began 33 years of adventure. Both Trudy and Terry worked hard to provide for their family. They loved traveling together and with their family, especially to the Oregon coast, going camping and fishing on the Rogue River and at Lake of the Woods. Some of Trudy’s favorite trips included traveling to Alaska with Terry for their 25th wedding anniversary, visiting Utah’s national parks, taking several trips to Mexico with family and friends, and making special memories at Disneyland with many of her children and grandchildren. 

Trudy loved her family deeply and unconditionally, with a strength that always kept us grounded. She gave generously of her time, talents, and resources. Trudy treasured her friendships and enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: cooking family meals, watching her favorite TV programs, gardening, trips to the casino, $5 Tuesday movies, picking peaches, canning, and making fudge and baking zucchini bread at Christmas. She rarely missed the events of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We will miss sitting beside her on the bench and spotting her in the crowd. Thank you, Mom, for always cheering us on! 

Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank & Alice Brown; infant son, Ryan; husband Terry L. Evans; grandson, Allums Robinson, and stepson, Shane Evans.  

She is survived by son Tom and his wife Pamela Gardner, daughter Trina and her husband Juan Perez, daughter Terri and her husband Clifford Robinson, and stepdaughter, Kristy Evans; Grandchildren, Stephen Barfield and Taner(Nina & family) Gardner; Julie, Lawrence, Gary(Kaylee & family), Jesse, Lance, and CJ Robinson; Juan Nicholas, Alyse, and Lucas Perez; Eva Evans; and Austin, Noah, and Megan Schneider; sister-in-law, Kaye and her husband Terry Anderson and family; sister, Deanna Hauger and family; good friends, Judy Burkhardt, Verona Schooler, Olivia Perez, Jan Settle, Karen Tofell and Paula Edgmon; her loyal Yorkie, Heidi; and many other cousins, family, friends, and neighbors. 

We will be having a Celebration of Life potluck gathering on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Crest Park from 1-4. Please bring your favorite Trudy story, a potluck dish, and a comfortable lawn chair. We hope you can join us! 

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