Trudy Jeanne Estes passed away suddenly Thursday, May 2. She was 70 years of age and suffered a massive heart attack at the home she shared with her husband, Gary.

Trudy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend to many. She was known for her sweet, kind and compassionate demeanor.

Trudy was an intelligent and witty lady with a love for puns. She was known for her warmth and caring personality.

Trudy grew up in Southwestern Colorado, where she developed her love for the mountains and a love of horses and riding.

Her father was an accountant for the concessionaire at Mesa Verde National Park in the 1960s.

They lived within the park boundaries and she attended one of the last one-room schoolhouses in Colorado.

She graduated from Montezuma High School in Cortez, Colo. and then attended junior college in Durango.

She worked as a nurse and draftsperson for several years before going back to school at Colorado State University, where she graduated with honors in 1991.

After going to work at ERDC in 1992, she attended Mississippi State University to gain her master’s degree. She followed that up a few years later with a doctorate from Louisiana State University.

Trudy dedicated 29 years to her work at ERDC in the environmental lab, excelling as a civil engineer and research program manager. She received numerous awards and accolades for her work.

During her career, she made several technical breakthroughs in the field of hazardous waste and contaminated sediment research.

She served on the PIANC committee and traveled throughout the world in support of that work. She retired in December of 2020.

Trudy and Gary were married in 1999 and lived outside Vicksburg, where she had room for her horses.

She was a very knowledgeable horsewomen and competed regionally on her beloved Warmblood Paloma.

She was very inquisitive and had a thirst for knowledge, always eager to learn new things, and was known for her attention to detail.

She loved her peonies, other flowers and was especially proud of the “volunteers.”

She and Gary loved to travel. Arkansas and Colorado were preferred destinations, but anywhere new was appreciated. Being at home with Oliver, her horses and Gary was her favorite thing.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She was predeceased by her parents, Robert Norwood Jr. and Betty Barrett Norwood.

She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Gary Estes; her brother, Bob Norwood (Patsy) of Magnolia, Texas; and her children, Justin Olin (Kari) of Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Katie Gribnitz (Ken) of Palestine, Texas. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Lauren Morrow (Nathan) and Lindsay Estes, both of Vicksburg; and her grandchildren, Colton Olin, Jesse Gribnitz, Jasmin Foley, Rhavin Gribnitz, Loghan Gribnitz, Conan Gribnitz, Garron Snyder, and Brynlee Morrow.

Trudy’s family wishes to express a heartfelt thanks for the valiant effort by Merit Health ER staff and all the first responders.

Visitation for Trudy will be Friday, May 10, from 9 until 11 a.m. at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue followed by the funeral service from 11a.m. until noon. A reception will follow at her home at 406 Dogwood Lake Drive in Bovina.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.