Trudy Fossum

Trudy Fossum, 71, of Lily, passed away, Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, with her loving family at her side.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10am Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster. Summer inurnment will be at the Hillside Cemetery near Lily.

Memorial visitation will be 5-7pm Friday, February 27, 2026, at Fiksdal Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hillside Cemetery, c/o Gary Fossum 42722 152nd St. Webster, SD 57274

Trudy Jane Murschel was born on March 20, 1954, at Peabody Hospital in Webster, South Dakota, to Clifford and Amelia (Block) Murschel. From her earliest days, Trudy’s life was rooted in faith, family, and the quiet strength of growing up in rural South Dakota. She graduated from Webster High School in 1972.

Trudy was blessed with three children through her marriage to Richard Steiner. Motherhood was one of her greatest callings, and she poured her heart into raising her children with love, resilience, and unwavering faith. Following her divorce, she worked as a secretary at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Aberdeen.

In 1981, Trudy married Gary Fossum, and together they built a life grounded in partnership and the land they loved. As a devoted farmer and rancher, Trudy embraced the beauty of God’s creation. She found joy in working the fields, tending cattle, and spending her days outdoors. Her hands were rarely idle, whether in the field, in her garden, or in her kitchen cooking and baking for those she loved.

Trudy served her community with humility and dedication. She was secretary for the town of Lily for 20 years. She and her children cared for Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church until its closing and lovingly maintained Hillside Cemetery near Lily. In later years, she and Gary, along with Mike and Kris Matthews, continued volunteering to care for the cemetery for 12 years.

As a member of Christ the King Church in Webster, Trudy was active in the Altar Society and served on the funeral committee. Through her sewing for Sew Much Comfort, she extended compassion to wounded soldiers by creating adaptive clothing for those in need.

Trudy’s life was a testament to steadfast faith, humble service, and enduring love. Though she has departed from this earthly life, her legacy lives on in the fields she tended, the family she cherished, and the many lives she touched. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Trudy passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, at the age of 71 years, 11 months, and 2 days. Surrounded by the love of her family, she entered eternal rest.

Trudy is lovingly remembered by her husband, Gary Fossum of Lily, SD, her children, Lisa (Jason) Stenzel of Waseca, MN, Sommer Hunke of Bismarck, ND; and Lucas (Amber) Steiner of Summerset, SD, and her stepson, Mark (Lyncee) Fossum of Lily, SD. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Emma, Ethan, Myles, and Henry Stenzel, Jackson (Veronica) Steiner, Ian (Jade) Steiner, and Amelia Steiner, and step-grandmother to Brett (Hailey) Fossum, Jarika Fossum, and Marcus Fossum. She was also blessed by Brett and Hailey with two great-grandchildren, Piper and Paxton. She will be deeply missed by her beloved sister, Julie Meidinger of Aberdeen, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Amelia Murschel, and her brother-in-law, Bill Meidinger.