Elizabeth Emily Truckenbrod

Elizabeth Emily (Ekstrom) Truckenbrod April 24, 1941 – November 3, 2025 Grand Rapids, Michigan Elizabeth "Beth" Emily (Ekstrom) Truckenbrod, 84, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and formerly of Mendota, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2025. A memorial service will be held at the Mendota Bible Church in Mendota, Illinois, on Saturday, December 6th at 3:00 p.m., with Pastor Brian Kelly officiating.

Beth was born on April 24, 1941, in Mendota, Illinois, to Carl and Bette (Baker) Ekstrom. She graduated from Mendota High School in 1959, where she enjoyed participating in theatre, debate, speech contest, choir and played clarinet in the concert band. Beth's first job was scooping ice cream at Purity Ice Cream in Mendota which was owned for many years by her parents and is fondly remembered by many of those who grew up in Mendota during the 1950s and 1960s as the place to go after school for a chocolate malt, a root beer float or a five cent cola. Beth lovingly raised six children, always supporting their endeavors and instilling in them a sense of genuine kindness and a love for curiosity. She was the steady force behind the family business and farms, and later fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening her own children's clothing store in Mendota. Beth was rarely without a book in her hand and a smile on her face.

An accomplished oil painter, Beth created numerous works reflecting nature, farm life, and faith. Her mural, The Road to Emmaus, has been displayed at the Mendota Bible Church for more than 50 years. A devoted member of the church, she offered her time and talents to support many ministries.

In the early 1990s, she moved to Grand Rapids. She found joy in spending time with her 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A master at knitting and sewing, she lovingly crafted countless blankets and clothing items for her family and passed these skills to her children and grandchildren. Her kind and gentle spirit, her culinary talents, and her sharp wit will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Beth is survived by her children, Deborah (Cyrano) Williams of Grand Rapids, MI, Trent Truckenbrod of Orlando, FL, Pamela (Dennis) Spangler of Sevierville, TN, Mark (Ilona) Truckenbrod of Aurora, IL, Nathan (Wendy) Truckenbrod of Williamsburg, VA, Kimberly (Boris) Jukic of Potsdam, NY and her grandchildren, Jolie, Victoria, Simeon, and Levi (Morgan) Williams, Benjamin and Leah Truckenbrod, Olivia (Trevor) Bullock and Savannah Spangler, Hannah and Jacob (Natalia) Truckenbrod, Abbey and Sophia Truckenbrod, Ivana, Marko, Ana, and Drago Jukic, and her great-grandchildren, Roman, Vincent, and Nico Williams. She is also survived by her siblings Karla Barman of Woodhull, IL, Carl "Ponch" (Brenda) Ekstrom of Pueblo, CO and Marthann (Roger) Schmidt of Harris, MN, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Beth was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Mendota Bible Church
4131 N. State Highway 251
Mendota, IL 61342
(815) 538-6876