Barbola Funeral Chapel

Mary J. Trochinski

It's with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Mary J. Trochinski, age 80, who passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025, with her family by her side.

Mary was born December 13, 1944. She was the second of nine children, born to Leon and Katherine Owens Kurczek, who taught her the value of faith, family and hard work, which in turn she passed along to her children and grandchildren.

She married her high school sweetheart, Dave Trochinski, on April 4, 1964, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Berlin. Together they raised four children. Mary's favorite job was being a domestic engineer. She enjoyed being a girl scout leader. She worked in a grocery store, cleaned many homes and businesses, and also took care of the elderly. Mary truly had a servant's heart.

Mary and Dave camped with their children in their younger years. One of their favorite trips being South Dakota. In their later years, Mary and Dave continued their travels in an RV to Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and many other southern states. They decided to settle in a permanent campsite in Sheboygan on Lake Michigan where they spent many years fishing and made countless memories and friends.

Mary loved her eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She went to many sporting events, Christmas concerts and dance recitals. She was known for decorating amazing birthday and other special occasion cakes for many of her grandchildren. Mary was always up for a card game or board game. She loved her family and had many holiday traditions; Halloween trick or treating and eating chili, hanging personalized ornaments on the Christmas tree, Easter eggs hunts and Mother's Day cookouts were her ways to bring her family together.

After 43 years of marriage in 2007, Mary lost her loving husband. But in true Mary fashion, she stayed strong in her faith and found more time to continue her talents. She reconnected with her painting, jewelry making, basket weaving and wood carving.

Mary was blessed to have met Greg Polly. He soon became her best friend. Together, they spent time at the Senior Center and went out with their dining club. They belonged to the Berlin Historical Society and many other organizations. Attending mass at All Saints on Saturday night was very important to her. They liked going on car cruises to watch sunsets and enjoyed each other's company.

Mary truly had a heart of gold. The void she left in our hearts will never be filled. There's comfort in knowing Mary is reunited with Dave and other loved ones in heaven. Mary will forever be a special guardian angel.

She is survived by her four children, Mark (Georgia) Trochinski, Monica (Dan) Hietpas, Matthew (Melissa) Trochinski and Marty (Kelsey) Trochinski; eleven grandchildren, Andrew (Jenni) Wendt, Travis Hietpas, Rachel (Kyle) Belter, Bethany (Nick) Fischer, Hannah, William and Jack (Elisa) Trochinski, Hailie Trochinski, Harry, Ruby and Etta Trochinski; five great-grandchildren, Myla, Blakely, Rylee, Weston and Amelia; her best friend of fourteen years, Greg Polly; two sisters, Sue Malnory and Pat (Steve) Rodensal; two brothers, Rick Kurczek and Rob (Ileen) Kurczek; brother-in-law, Rich Franke; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David, on July 29, 2007; infant brother, Ronnie Kurczek; and three sisters, Nancy Kurczek, Diane Franke and infant sister, Karen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at 11:00 a.m., at All Saints Catholic Parish in Berlin, with Monsignor James L. Gunn officiating. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 7, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin, and on Wednesday, January 8, at the funeral chapel, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Mary Trochinski, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.