Trudy Knauss Paradis was born in Milwaukee to German immigrant parents. She was raised in a close-knit Milwaukee neighborhood, where residents regularly spoke German on the street. Trudy graduated from Milwaukee-Downer college with a degree in Sociology and Economics. She then took a position with the Department of Army Civilian Service, which took her to Tokyo, Japan for several years. After traveling to many fascinating countries, Judy return to Milwaukee and married. The couple then moved to historic Cedarburg where they raised two children. After her children were grown, Trudy returned to the workforce as a public schoolteacher, a role she held for 30 years.
Being very proud of her German ancestry, Trudy has served as a volunteer at Milwaukee’s German Fest for 20 years. For eight years she was the Director-in-Charge of Cultural Exhibition. Trudy loves to spend her free time with her children, her three grandchildren and her three “grand-dogs.” A talented calligrapher, she also enjoys knitting, reading, and working outside in her garden.
She is the co-author of German Milwaukee: Its History, Its Recipes (G Bradley Pub, 2006 ).