Hulda M. (Henry) Trumbla

Hulda Trumbla left us to be with her Lord and Savior on January 27, 2025, at the age of 94.

She was born on a farm southeast of Perry on November 22, 1930 to James Alva Duncan and Marie Ritthaler Duncan. Growing up in her childhood home included water from a hand pump outside the kitchen door, a pot belly stove for warmth, kerosene lamps for light, and a party line telephone service. 

She attended Barrett School, a one-room schoolhouse with only one teacher, for 8 years. Located about a mile from her home, she walked to it and back every school day, “even in the snow”. She continued her education at Perry High School, graduating in May 1948. (Little did she know she was in a class with her future second husband.) 

In 1947, while still at PHS, she met the first love of her life, Irl Wayne Henry. They were married in August 1948. Other than during Irl’s service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War when she lived in National City, California and Bremerton, Washington, Hulda lived in or near Perry her entire life.

Together, they had three children, Kathy, Terry and David. Their 57-year marriage ended sadly in June 2006 when Irl passed away.

Hulda was an avid church goer, first as a 60-year member of the First Baptist Church in Perry. During this time, she taught Sunday School to 4- and 5-year-olds for years, and later elementary age children. She was very active in the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) of the church, even serving as President. She later joined the First Christian Church in Perry. 

During her working years she was employed by McLellan’s, Pallisard’s Jewelry, Northern Oklahoma Butane Co., Monroe-Lange Hardware, the Office of Perry Memorial Hospital, the Noble County Superintendent’s Office, and the Department of Human Services. 

During retirement, she and Irl traveled around the U.S. They enjoyed three trips to England and Europe to visit their daughter Kathy and her family living in London. Much of their journeys were by train, which she loved, especially through Switzerland.

A supporter of Perry’s Carnegie Library, Hulda was a member of the Perry Progress Club for many years and was President of the Club twice. She was also a lifetime member of the Perry High School Alumni Association. For a while, she was responsible for “Candy Striper” teenage volunteers at Perry Memorial Hospital. 

During her Perry High School 60-year class reunion in 2007, she became reacquainted with a former classmate, Thomas E. Trumbla, the second love of her life. After dating for about two years, they married on February 3, 2007. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James Alva Duncan , Jr., and her sisters: Lois Duncan Moore and Shirley Duncan Moody. As best friends, she and Shirley shared much more than the same birthday eight years apart.

She is survived by her husband Thomas E. Trumbla, daughter Kathy Henry (Robin Jamieson), and sons Terry (Laura), and David. Her grandchildren include Kimberly Baker (Chad), Mickey Henry (Lindsay), Michael Henry (Alissa), Adam Jamieson, and Tangye Kaufman-Jamieson. Great grandchildren include Skyla, KayLyn, Dylan, and Trystan Baker, Jackson and Cannon Henry, and Emilia and Nimue Kaufman. 

Other survivors include stepdaughters Terry Trumbla Jones (Gus), Tanya Trumbla Brewer (Tom), and Tavie Trumbla Ragan (Greg). Step grandchildren include Jake Brewer, Autumn and Danny L. Flaherty, Jr. and Josh Ragan. Her surviving brother-in-law is Roger Moody.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1, at the First Christian Church with Rev. Dr. Joshua Bell officiating. Pallbearers will be Hulda’s grandsons and great grandsons: Mickey Henry, Michael Henry, Adam Jamieson, Jake Brewer, Dylan Baker, Trystan Baker, and Danny Flaherty, Jr.

In her spare time Hulda enjoyed embroidery and crocheting. Memorials may be made in her name with checks made to the Perry High School Alumni Association in care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, 203 East Fir Avenue or P.O. Box 189, Perry, Oklahoma 73077. Condolences may be sent to the family via a website at www.dightonmarler.com