Mimi Trenkamp

A treasured wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandma, Mimi Ann Trenkamp, nee Ward, 84, of Independence, KY, passed into eternal life on November 25, 2025, at Rosedale Green, Covington, KY. She was born in that very same city on a hot summer's day, August 29, 1941. Raised in Latonia, KY, she was the daughter of the late James "Jim" Ward and Rosemary "Rosie" Gaupel Ward.

One of 9 siblings; Mimi attended and graduated from Holy Cross High School. She was introduced through mutual friends to a farm boy named Don Trenkamp who worked at the local filling station. She and Don and their friends would go cruising in his blue Impala. Sometimes when you know, you know, and it wasn't very long that she and Don were married. They started their life and a home together in Independence.

For years, Mimi presided over what her family affectionately called "the Kool Aid House." Possessing the best hill for sledding in winter and ample land to play both baseball and football in warmer weather, the structure she and Don built together was not only the cozy refuge for their own family but also the anchor of the whole neighborhood and a welcoming sanctuary for all of their children's friends. Perpetually a child of summer, Mimi herself vehemently despised the cold. But on snowy days she would take wet coats, gloves, socks and hats to warm up and dry in the dryer and she swapped out her refreshing Kool Aid for steaming hot chocolate.

While she always appreciated what she had (and along with other valuable lessons and life skills taught this to her children as well), one of her favorite past times was shopping. Mimi knew what it meant to be frugal. She was a master at the art of the sale and could make a penny go farther than most anyone. But Mimi was no miser-not with her pocketbook, not with her hands, not with her time, not with her heart. Rather, Mimi's energy reserve was boundless, and her generosity knew no end. For a good portion of her adult life, she was diligently caring for aging parents, younger children of her own, and grandkids whilst simultaneously managing her home and holding down a job.

Mimi had a special way with children, particularly infants. If a child was having difficulties with developmental milestones, that child was cared for by Mimi and magically, the milestone like pacifier or potty training was met! For many years she was the director of religious education at St. Patrick School and was extremely active in PTA. For her service, she was awarded the honor of lifetime membership in KY PTA as well as the inaugural coordinator of the year award in 1980 from the Covington Diocese. She was ever present as a chaperone at school functions-be it after prom or field trips or sporting events.

Formerly a parishioner of St. Patrick, Mimi was a parishioner of St. Barbara's since 2002. While worshiping there, she created a health ministry for her fellow parishioners. This ministry would facilitate a multitude of activities to aid and assist such as monthly blood pressure checks, meals for those who were homebound or sick, rides to doctors' appointments and gift baskets for new mothers and babies. Her family fondly remembers how Mimi's magnanimity and munificence went into overdrive during the holiday season. Each year, without fail, close to Christmas Eve, if there were any tags left on the church's Giving Tree, she would take and fulfill them all. It wasn't just individual children; it was entire families who were the recipients of Mimi's contributions and love.

A devoted faithful servant of Christ and His children, Mimi was the calm, collected, composed center in every storm. Ever ready, she never said no to anyone who beseeched her help. This special lady has secured her peace. But what that peace looks like, we can only imagine. Let's hope it looks like a chair under an umbrella on a beautiful, quiet beach, with a mound of magazines and books nearby.

Mimi was mom to Mark (Kristi) Trenkamp, Julie Trenkamp (Bret Workman), Adam Trenkamp (Chrissy Pachuta), Malia Fangmeyer, and Brett (Catrina) Trenkamp; cherished mother in law to Karen Trenkamp; sister to John (Karen) Ward, Sue (Jim) Gough, Kathy (Rick) Vogelpohl, Nancy Clark, and Lynne (Mark) Molitor; grandma to 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, with 2 brand new great grandchildren on the way.

Waiting by the heavenly gates to welcome her in was her beloved husband, Don Trenkamp; her parents; her son Tom "Tommy" Trenkamp, Jr.; siblings Mike Ward, Terri Simpson, and Tom Ward and her best friend Doris Childress.

Mimi's life and faith will be celebrated and the repose of her soul prayed for at her home parish of St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church, 4042 Turkeyfoot Rd, Erlanger, KY 41018 on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Friends and family will gather to find solace in one another's company and honor Mimi. Please come to share stories and memories from 9:00 AM until shortly before the time of the funeral mass at 10:00 AM. Immediately following the mass until 1:00 PM there will also be a celebration of life reception in the Sterling Center at St. Barbara. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made online in Mimi's honor to the Greater Cincinnati chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

To leave an online condolence or to share a memory or photo of Mimi, please visit the corresponding tabs on this page.