Mary G. "Trudy" Aulgur

On April 23, 2026, the world lost the loving, feisty, and intrepid Mary Gertrude “Trudy” Aulgur, 81. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in Galesburg, Illinois.

Trudy was born on September 24, 1944, in Poplar, Montana, to Norman Lee and Elizabeth Rosemary (Costello) Paulson. Poplar is the kind of place where people develop grit, a strong work ethic, and a fierce sense of self-reliance—and Trudy embodied all three. Alongside her siblings, she spent her childhood roaming the hills of her family’s eastern Montana ranch. She and her younger brother, “Teddy,” Myles Paulson, explored the rugged terrain in search of childhood treasures, from old teepee rings to mica-covered “diamonds.”

Trudy and her younger sisters, Helen Paulson and Norma (Gene) Fahrenbacher—affectionately known as “The Little Girls”—were often under Trudy’s imaginative direction, hosting themed birthday parties and staging elaborate Nativity plays. At age ten, Trudy and her older sister, Christine Casey, boarded a train to attend St. Mary’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic boarding school in Nauvoo, Illinois. There, supported by one another and guided by the Sisters of Saint Benedict, Trudy’s Catholic faith deepened.

She later returned to Montana and graduated from Poplar High School in 1962. In school, Trudy enjoyed history, English, theater, and music, but it was home economics that sparked her lifelong passion for cooking. As a teenager, she once took on the task of cooking for her father and the ranch hands for two weeks. Her dinner rolls quickly became a family favorite. She also worked at a local pharmacy, where she often provided first aid to those in need. In recognition of her kindness, she was honored with a Star Quilt during the annual Oil Celebration Pow Wow—an uncommon and meaningful distinction.

After graduation, Trudy attended the University of Great Falls before transferring to the University of Arkansas. There, she met Gordon Lasater Aulgur. They fell in love and were married on May 30, 1964, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Trudy and Gordon began their life together in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where their first child, Lisa Viehweg, was born. The young family soon moved to Springfield, Illinois, where Gordon began his career with Allis-Chalmers. In Springfield, they built lasting friendships and welcomed their second child, Christine Lawson (Tim). Trudy embraced her role as a wife and mother, filling her days with sewing, maintaining a warm and welcoming home, hosting Junior Women’s Club and bridge gatherings, cooking, and attending Mass.

In 1972, the family moved to Lansing, Michigan, where Gordon joined Diamond Rio. There, they welcomed their son, Gordon “Chad” Aulgur (Jill). Trudy quickly built a community of friends, hosting dinner clubs where her cooking was always a highlight. She joined St. Gerard’s Parish Women’s Guild and became known for her baking—her kitchen often filled with the aroma of pecan rolls and other treats. In 1975, the family moved to Galesburg, Illinois, when Gordon began working for Admiral. In Galesburg, Trudy became deeply involved in Immaculate Heart of Mary and Corpus Christi Parishes, serving as president of the church guild and contributing to numerous parish and school activities, including the Costa Catholic School auction. She also formed cherished friendships through P.E.O. Chapter HO, Mosaic Club, and Soangetaha Country Club. On October 5, 1985, she welcomed her youngest child, John Myles Aulgur (Mary-Claire).

Trudy’s love of cooking and hospitality continued to grow, and she began preparing meals for parish priests and church events. In 2004, she was accepted into the French Culinary Institute in New York City. After graduating, she returned to Galesburg and, at the age of sixty, began her professional career as a chef. She worked as Cottage Hospital’s first chef and later as a seasonal chef at Yellowstone National Park and East Glacier Park Lodge.

Following Gordon’s passing, Trudy eventually moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to be closer to her daughter Lisa and her family. She quickly became an active member of The Church of St. Mary, serving as president of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Circle. She also participated in P.E.O. Chapter BD and the South Dakota Democratic Party, often joking that she was “one of three Democrats in the state.”

Alongside her love of cooking, Trudy was an avid traveler. Her journeys around the world deepened her appreciation for different cultures and led to many lasting friendships.

Trudy’s greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. Holidays were magical, filled with baking, laughter, and decorating her famous sugar cookies. She is survived by her children: Lisa Viehweg; Christine Lawson (Tim); Gordon “Chad” Aulgur (Jill); and John Aulgur (Mary-Claire); her siblings: Myles Paulson, Helen Paulson, and Norma (Gene) Fahrenbacher; and her grandchildren: Mark Thatcher (Alexis), Elizabeth Viehweg, Matthew Viehweg, Alex Aulgur, Jake Aulgur, and Julia Lawson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; her parents; her sister, Christine Casey; and her son-in-law, Mark Viehweg.

A Funeral Mass will be held on May 1, 2026, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Galesburg. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., followed by the rosary at 10:45 a.m. and Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial of cremated remains will follow at St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery. A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Soangetaha Country Club in Galesburg.

Arrangements are entrusted to Watson-Thomas Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Crescent Parish, Costa Catholic Academy, or the Church of St. Mary Sioux Falls.