Trudy Kay Book

Trudy Kay Book (Orr), 76, passed peacefully surrounded by family on June 5, 2026 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, SD.

   Born on April 20, 1950 in Vermillion, SD to the late Burdette and Marion (Hemmingson) Orr. Trudy lived on the family farm haying with her cousins and working the fields with her family. Often, she could be found drawing in her sketch books while waiting and watching gates where her love for drawing began. She was a graduate of Wakonda High School, after which she began her journey of teaching at University of South Dakota- Springfield. Upon graduation, she moved to Onida, SD area to begin her teaching career. She then touched many lives while spreading her passion of education in Viborg, Bonesteel, Jones County, DeSmet, and ended her career in Irene-Wakonda. Trudy spent over 38 years sharing her wisdom and love for art and English. True to her nature, when she retired from teaching, she still found ways to bring her love of art to children through bonding with her grandchildren through art.

  Trudy joined Ed Book in marriage on June 8, 1974. Together they built a beautiful family, who were Trudy’s entire world. She loved being a mother, but her most cherished role in her life was being Grammy. Spending time with and spoiling her grandchildren brought her unending joy.

  She is survived by her children, Jason (Suzanne) Book of South Korea, Brad Book of Winner, Deb (Jason) Rohrer of Castle Rock, and Megan (Thomas) Smith of Mount Vernon; her grandchildren Kaelan, Kyra, Braxton, Bentley, Kylie, Skylar, Leah, Hannah, Sarah, and Jared; her great grandchildren Aubrie, Gavin and Owen; her siblings Annetta Talsma, John Orr, Mary Rasmussen, and Dick Orr; along with many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her brother, Burt Orr; her nephew Ross Orr, and her granddaughter Annika Rohrer.

   A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 11, at 11:00am with a visitation one hour prior to the funeral at Calvary Lutheran Church in Irene, SD. To celebrate her life, her grandchildren have requested that you wear bright colors. (She always hid the black markers and paints from them so they didn’t ruin their art!) Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Trudy’s family invites you to join them at lunch and fellowship at the Wakonda Legion Hall following the burial.