Jerome L. Trendel

Jerome Lewis Trendel, age 81, formerly of Appleton and Fennimore, passed away on October 19, 2024 at Care Partners in Winneconne.

Jerome was born on April 1, 1943, the son of Alvin and Clara (Rissen) Trendel in Topeka, Kansas. 

Jerome lived in Michigan Valley until middle school, when his family moved to Lyndon, Kansas. He graduated from Lyndon High School in 1961, where he was active in FFA and 4-H. He served in the United States Army Reserve for 6 years. He showed cattle and horses in Kansas and farmed after moving to Wisconsin. Jerome was a public works employee for the City of Fennimore before moving to the Fox Valley to do short haul trucking. 

On April 22, 1966, he was united in marriage to Karen Petreman. The couple parted ways, and Jerome married Diane Recker Mielke on September 18, 1999. Diane passed away on October 17, 2020.

Jerome enjoyed hunting, fishing, and planting a large vegetable garden. In his later years, he and Diane were active in the RMS Matchbook Cover Society and traveled to the annual convention for many years. His faith was also important to him and he always found a church home no matter where he lived.

Jerome is survived by his daughter Jennifer Trendel and his son Jarrod (Sandy) Trendel, grandchildren Samantha Trendel, Lawton Trendel, Storm (Brett) Linjer, and two great-grandchildren. He is further survived by Diane’s son Tim (Kris) Mielke, their children, and other relatives and friends.

Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Clara, his brother Roger, and his wife Diane. 

A memorial visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Wichmann Tri-County Chapel, 1592 S. Oneida St, Menasha, WI 54952, followed by a brief memorial prayer service at 6 PM.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Mississippi Valley Conservancy in honor of Jerome.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Heartland Hospice and Care Partners Winneconne.