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Marian Trumpy
Marian Trumpy

On November 5, 2019, Marian Elaine Trumpy, 98, of rural Winslow, Illinois, passed peacefully at her home, into the glorious arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For all of her life, Marian held a deep and abiding love for the Lord. Her life’s walk reflected her spiritual faith in God. She embodied love and graciousness and joy to everyone who knew her.

Marian was born in Monroe, Wisconsin on March 4, 1921 to Rudy and Mary (Lehr) Zweifel. At a young age she went to live with her Swiss immigrant grandparents, Joseph and Marie (Roth) Lehr, on a dairy farm in Monticello and later on their farm near Monroe. Marian’s first spoken language was Swiss and she remained fluent in Swiss throughout her life. Marian graduated with honors from Monroe High School in 1938. She completed her college education with a degree in teaching in 1941, at Green County Normal (Teacher’s) College.

During high school, she and classmate, Harold Trumpy, became sweethearts. Marian and Harold were married in a Christmas season wedding at St. John’s United Church of Christ, on December 21, 1941. As a result of illness in the family, Harold left college to help on a dairy farm in Clarno, Wisconsin. Marian and Harold lived there for 2 years. During that time, Marian taught at Franklin School, a one room school outside of Monroe. In 1944, Marian and Harold bought and moved to a farm outside of Winslow, Il where they ran a dairy operation. Marian left full-time teaching to work with Harold on the farm, where they raised four children. They lived and operated a dairy farm in South Wayne. Wi from 1968-1975, and then moved back to the Winslow farm in 1975 and she lived there for the remainder of her life.

Marian worked as a substitute teacher in the Black Hawk public schools. However, as a teacher, Marian will best be remembered as the Senior High School Sunday School teacher at Martintown Community Church, Martintown, Wi where she taught for 32 years. She was dearly loved by her students for her warmth but even more for how she created lessons that reflected God’s love, truth and relevance in their young lives. She organized class outings and organized her students to donate to disadvantaged children through “Save The Children Foundation.” As a member of Martintown Community Church, Marian was board secretary for 18 years, a member of Willing Workers, and contributed frequently to numerous church events.

Marian was also very active in civic and community organizations, including as a member of the Winslow Woman’s Club and working as an election judge in the township. She was a member of Green County Christian Woman’s Club, and held various offices in the groups she was affiliated with, including PTA. Marian was a charter member of the Green County State Line Troopers Homemaker Extension and was their longest-lived member for over 70 years. In 1974, she was voted to be chairman of the South West District Extension that represented 8 counties, including Dane and Green. In 1989, Marian and Harold became members at St. John’s Church of Christ, Monroe, Wi, where she served a term on the church council. In later years Harold and Marian attended Staver’s Methodist church.

Marian will be remembered for her deep respect and love of nature, animals, and birds. She loved cats and songbirds and said in Heaven, they would “lie down together”. Over the years, Marian and Harold took in numerous stray dogs and cats. She grew beautiful floral gardens and shared the bounty with others, including providing elaborate floral arrangements at many weddings and special events. She exclaimed that a tree is the “most beautiful” of all plants. She taught all her descendants to respect God’s creation. Marian was also a wonderful cook and baker and practiced hospitality to the full, with everyone who came to their home. Family gatherings centered on her warmth, and on her delicious meals. For several decades, Marian baked from scratch her famous Swiss pear bread, during the holidays. She would give away annually 60 to 80 loaves, expressing appreciation and love for the recipients. Marian also loved to have fun and had a zest for adventure, ranging from riding dog sleds in Alaska, to riding open-air ski lifts in the Swiss Alps. She loved to laugh and her joy was infectious. She was an avid reader and loved to play card games of Bridge, 500, and cribbage with family and friends.

Marian especially enjoyed and deeply loved every member of her extended family. In earlier years, she spent hours reading and playing games with the grand and great-grandchildren. She was always interested in their current lives and during the growing up years, would nurture all of them through her multiple expressions of love, sacrificial giving, and fervent prayers. From the moment she woke in the morning, until she was asleep, she could often be seen or heard praying to the Lord. She kept lengthy prayer lists for friends and family members in her Bible, and would add to it as needs were brought before her.

Marian emanated a profound spirit of joy, love, and kindness. It was clearly evident through her radiant smile and shining eyes. She trusted the Lord with all her heart and held a complete and confident hope in the profound love of God. She will be dearly missed.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Rudy and Mary Zweifel; daughter, Marcia Bidlingmaier Saalsaa; grandsons, Michael Trumpy and Neil Bidlingmaier; and sons-in law, Larry Bidlingmaier and Michael Kodrich.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 78 years, Harold Trumpy, Winslow; son, Jeff (Jean) Trumpy, Waukesha; son, John (Lori) Trumpy, Winslow; daughter, Penny (Jim Stein) Kodrich, Minnetrista, MN; grandchildren, Layne (Erin) Bidlingmaier, Winslow; Tami Bidlingmaier, Winslow; Tana (Jason) Stieve, Lombard, Il; Kristie (Jeff) Reynolds, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Tim (Michelle) Trumpy, Minneapolis, MN; Kathy (Ryan) Caho, Kenosha, WI; Leslie Trumpy, Browntown, WI; Noah Trumpy, Winslow; plus 14 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, November 25, 2019 at Martintown Community Church, Martintown, WI. A Visitation will be held Sunday, November 24, 2019 at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE Funeral Home in Monroe, WI from 2:00-5:00 PM. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.

A memorial fund is being established in Marian Trumpy’s name.