Trudy Hause, wife of former BH president, passes away

Picture of Gil and Trudy Hause at a dinner party
Gil and Trudy Hause celebrate their time at Black Hills State at the Going Away Tea held in their honor in 1985. Gil served as the sixth BH president.
Trudy Hause, spouse of Black Hills State University's sixth president Gil Hause, passed away Feb. 5, 2021.

Gil served as the president of BH from 1977-1985. Gertrude Virginia “Trudy” (Kuntz) Hause earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. In 1952 she married J. Gilbert (Gil) Hause in Greeley, Colo. When her husband joined the US Navy, she followed the many travels of his career in the service to Newport, Rhode Island, Naples, Italy and Norfolk, Virginia. At each station she taught in elementary schools. She continued to teach while supporting her husband’s education career at BHSU as well as at the University of Northern Colorado, Dacca University Institute of Education and Research, East Pakistan (Bangladesh), and Western State University, Gunnison, Colo. She was active in each of her Catholic parishes, Faculty Wives, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and volunteered with the American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery program.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Gil; sons David (Virginia) Hause, and Patrick (Maria) Hause, daughter-in-law Joanne Hause Rohrer; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; sister Margaret Eisenman; brothers Gilbert (Mary), Leonard, Kenneth (Bonnie) Kuntz; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

BHSU is deeply saddened by the news of her passing. The following message was sent to the university from Gil Hause:

“Dear friends, I am contacting you today to inform you of the death of Trudy, my wife. She died on Friday of her long fight with cancer. There will be no service now due to the virus. I remember BHSU with fond memories. You are doing a great job; I am proud of the university. Sincerely, Gil Hause.”

A private family service will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. Mary Catholic Church, 2222 23rd Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634.

Cards may be sent to Apt. 321 12105 Ambassador Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80921.