Madaline Grunert Jankowski

Madaline Elaine Grunert Jankowski, 86, passed away on November 25, 2024, in Memphis, TN. Born on June 13, 1938 in Sturgis, Michigan, Madaline was a cherished matriarch of her large family and a well-loved pillar in the community. Madaline grew up in South Bend, Indiana, the youngest of 5 children. She was a tomboy and remained a tough gal her whole life. After marrying Leonard shortly after high school, she was adopted into his family and considered herself Polish the rest of her life. They raised 6 children together, moving around the country as Len advanced in his career with the FAA. Mom packed and unpacked and hauled us around and said she'd follow Dad wherever he went. She always had good energy, even into her senior years, where her days often included 6:15 am Mass and her Sexy Seniors bowling team. Besides bowling, she loved to play tennis and cheer on the Chicago Cubs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Mom doesn't have an impressive resume of community service, degrees, or awards received. However, her accomplishments were abundant, and realized through bringing God's love and joy to others by living Mother Teresa's mantra of doing small things with great love. Whether that meant bringing a McDonald's breakfast to the guy selling Sunday papers on the street corner, leaving bags of chips weekly for the garbage men, bringing donuts to the car repair shop guys, or befriending her sweet mail lady, she modeled great joy, compassion, generosity, and love for all. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Louis Catholic Church, a decades-long daily communicant, and a woman of enviably-strong faith. Mom was preceded in death by her stillborn daughter Mary Patricia, husband Leonard, daughter Teresa Trotter, and son Alan. She is survived by her daughter Andi Johnson (Dennis and children Zach and Rachel), grandson Jacob (Brooklyn and son Lennon), son Paul (Sandra and children Lexie, Avery, Allie and granddaughter Amaya, and Jenna), son Dale (Kate and sons Maxwell and Logan), son-in-law Brad Trotter (children Lanie and William), and son Michael (Andria). They're a close-knit family that treasures their times together. Madaline will be remembered on Saturday, December 21 at St. Louis Catholic Church with a Visitation at 10:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. A lunch reception will follow in the church hall (Clunan Center). A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Birthright of Memphis, 151 Alexander Street, Memphis, TN 38111 (https://birthrightofmemphisinc.ddock.gives) or a charity of your choice. Services are currently pending at the moment.