Hedda Trapp

Hedda Trapp, age 93, passed away at home in Austin, TX on November29, 2021. Born Hedda Kauder on September 28, 1928 in San Salvador, El Salvador, she spent her childhood years in Guatemala, where her father was involved in the coffee industry. During the height of WWII and being of German parents, at the age of 13, she and her mother were repatriated to Potsdam, Germany and separated from her father who was in an encampment in Texas. After the war, Hedda and her family rebuilt their lives back in Central America until her adult years when she married Enrique Trapp, eventually settling and raising a family in Texas. Forty eight years of those years were in Brownsville, Texas, where her husband opened his medical practice in 1968. Hedda supported her husband’s medical practice as a lab technician and bookkeeper. She and Enrique considered their medical staff, many of whom were employed during the entire history of the practice as extended family. To this day, they have remained close friends and recount fond memories of traditions they created in the office, such as their much anticipated Friday “food orgy” lunch, where each of them
tried to outdo the other with the potluck dish they brought.Hedda and Enrique eventually retired in Austin, TX in 2016 to be closer to family. Hedda’s teenage years during WWII in Potsdam, Germany, separated from family, being cold and scared and sometimes without food, taught her fundamental lessons of appreciating those around you in good and lean times, and being resourceful and not wasteful with anything. These lessons were instilled and continue to be practiced by her children, grandchildren and generations to follow. Having a knack for recycling leftovers into new and creative dishes, and preparing unusual and delicious sandwiches (which would start trade wars in middle school) were but a few of her many talents. She, also, grew and nurtured beautiful African violets. Although she encountered hardships growing up, Hedda always faced life with poise, grace and humor. She was known for her elegance, sharp wit, and her German accent that would make a critique sound like a compliment. She was charming, well loved and respected by all, especially by her three children, who along with Enrique, son-in-law, John and granddaughter, Evan, took great care of her during the last months of her life. Her long-lasting marriage of 66 years, has served as a model example of love, loyalty and partnership to her children and grandchildren. Hedda is preceded in death by her premature son, Stefan Martin and is survived by her husband, Enrique Trapp M.D.; three children, Veronica Larsen (John), Bibi McKnight (Byron), and Thomas; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was a loving and supportive wife, a nurturing and inspiring Mami (Sp.)/Mutti (Ger.) to her children, and a proud and fun “Oma” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank JOL Hospice, especially Taylor, Vanessa and Melissa for the love and care they provided to Hedda during the last three months of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Friends of San Lucas at https://sanlucasmission.org.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022, 10 a.m. at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center located at 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX, 78739.