Madeline Jean Trpkosh
February 12, 1929 – January 24, 2024
Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Madeline Jean Trpkosh (nee Whitaker) almost 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
She was born to Basil and Sybil Whitaker and had seven siblings but grew up with and was eventually adopted by her Aunt & Uncle Alta and Oscar Mentzer after Madeline’s mother died.
Madeline’s sweet heart, smile and baby blue eyes lit up a room and was beloved by family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched. She was a secretary and did administrative work in her early years. But most importantly, Madeline was a homemaker and the best Mom ever! She also taught water aerobics and ruled with her trusted whistle at Bender Pool in Cedar Rapids until she was at 83. Madeline was involved in many social groups and loved to play Farkle with her friends.
Madeline was predeceased by her second husband, George Trpkosh, her children’s father, Edward Joseph Swain, and daughter Mary Jo Werling. She is survived by sons Michael (Cindy) Swain and Patrick (Deborah) Swain, her last living sibling, Cliff Whitaker, brother/cousin, Jim Mentzer, 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mount Vernon.
Following the service, there will be a lunch and a celebration of Madeline’s life at the church. Afterward, her ashes will be laid to rest at the Catholic Cemetery in Lisbon.