Edeltraud L. “Trudi” Yakubowski

Edeltraud “Trudi” Leopoldine Yakubowski (nee Reichel) passed peacefully into eternal life at her home on April 26, 2021 at the age of 91 years. Born in Jesinik (formerly Freiwaldau), Czech Republic on July 20, 1929 to Alfred and Maria Reichel (Harbich), she lived in the Czech Republic and the Bavarian region of Germany before, during, and after World War II. She came to the United States as a young bride in 1954 and became a citizen of the United States on February 14, 1956. She lived and worked in St. Louis City and County, as well as Springfield, MO and Belleville, IL until moving to O’Fallon, Missouri in 1973.

Trudi is survived by her daughter, Christina Yakubowski, grandson Stephen Albrecht; sister Margot Reichel, brother in law Gottfried Vent and sister in law Jean O’Mara. She is also survived by her nieces Petra (Leo) Gotz, Susanna Vent, Donna Walsh, Stacy O’Mara and nephews Bob (Tina) Wendig, Jurgen Vent, Steven (Judy) O’Mara, Darrel O’Mara, and Richard Yakubowski. Great-niece Daniella (Emanuel) Gotz-Derbsch and great-great nieces Julia and Sarah Gotz-Derbsch. Trudi is also survived by her extended family, Tim (Ginger) Albrecht, Mark Albrecht, Tammy Albrecht, Jamie Renee Cullens and Pam Williams as well as many, many family members and friends.

Trudi is preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Maria Reichel, father and mother in law Ruby (Hardy) and Herman Southwick, sister Bruni (Reichel) Vent, husband Stanley Yakubowski Jr., sister and brother in laws Rose and Gene Wendig, Rosalie and Carl Cullens, Raymond Yakubowski as well as Dale Albrecht and Kathy Albrecht.

Trudi was a loving and adventurous person who lived life fully. She was a people person and never met a stranger! She enjoyed traveling, dancing, singing, gardening, reading, crafts, knitting, sewing, and crocheting. She thought the world was truly amazing and saw God best in the world of nature. She was a devoted Catholic especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary all her life and an active member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Dardenne Prairie, MO for over 30 years. She was involved in Bible Studies, Cenacle, Eucharistic Adoration, Faith-Sharing, Prayer Shawl Ministry, RCIA, Resurrection Choir and was a cafeteria worker and library aide at ICD School. She also worked many hours at parish picnics and made countless pies and desserts for parish functions. As her health started to worsen she became more and more of a prayer warrior and would pray daily and hourly for everyone she knew and came into contact with.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Immaculate Conception, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society or the St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota.